SWPL Premier West preview – Saturday, February 15

LOCAL rivals Holsworthy and Bude Town face off for the first time this season tomorrow when they meet at Upcott Field (3pm).

The two sides are firmly in mid-table, a source of particular pride for the visitors who after a troublesome summer, have stabilised well under new boss Steve Hackett.

He took over the reigns following the departure of Ben Potter and last year’s squad, but a combination of astute signings, trusting in youth and bringing through players from last year’s reserves team which he managed, has served him well.

Holsworthy after winning four of their first five games went through a poor run of form not helped by the absences of some key players, but seven points from the last nine have seen them climb up to ninth in a congested mid-table.

Ryan Hall’s side saw off Wadebridge Town and Truro City Reserves 1-0 before last weekend’s goalless draw with visiting Penzance while Bude have won and lost in equal measure recently.

However, despite losing 2-0 at high-flying Wendron United last weekend, there were plenty of positives including a superb first start from teenage winger Ryan Vanstone which earned him the visitors’ man of the match award.

Bude were missing several players for that trip, but are expected to be much closer to full strength, as will Holsworthy in front of an expected large crowd.

A win for the visitors will see them go ahead of Holsworthy, while a Magpies success will see them push towards the top seven.

While that game is all about the bragging rights, it is games such as those at Priory Park where the real importance lies as bottom side Launceston visit Bodmin Town.

The Clarets were beaten 5-0 by second from last Millbrook last Saturday, a result which leaves them three points adrift of the Brook and five behind Camelford.

But while Bodmin are six ahead, they are by no means out of the woods themselves and both managers – Simon Minett (Bodmin) and Neil Price (Launceston) know three points are vital.

Camelford face a tough task when they go to title-chasing Liskeard Athletic.

The Camels earned a good point at Sticker last weekend courtesy of Sam Wade’s opportunistic volley, but go to Lux Park knowing the Blues will be desperate to bounce back.

Liskeard played superbly at two-league higher Helston Athletic before going out of the Cornwall Senior Cup, but it was last Saturday’s 3-0 reversal at leaders Newquay that could really harm them.

With just one promotion place available, Newquay’s victory saw them move nine points clear, although the two have to meet again on March 15, while Liskeard have two games in-hand, one of which is tomorrow.

But with Liskeard’s goal difference just 28 compared to Newquay’s 48, that is effectively another point.

Launceston and Camelford will hope that Sticker can do them a favour when they visit a Millbrook side who have won three of their last six games, while Callington Town will look to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at Dobwalls when they go to mid-table Truro City Reserves.

Cally are right in the mix for a top four finish, but could do with a win.

Dobwalls sit two points behind Liskeard with a game in-hand and visit fourth-placed Wendron United who they were thrashed 5-0 at in the FA Vase back in August, but the Dingos are in a superb run of form as shown by their recent 1-0 success at Newquay.

Since then they have backed it up by seeing off St Day and Callington, and after tomorrow will have played three of the top four twice.

There is also one cup tie as Penzance welcome North Devon outfit Torridgeside in the SWPL League Cup quarter-final.

The Cornishmen beat Torridgeside’s big rivals Torrington 5-0 in the second round before seeing off Devon outfit Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police 2-0 in the last 16.

Torridgeside’s route has seen them knock out Bovey Tracey and SWPL Premier West promotion-hopefuls Liskeard Athletic, the latter 3-2.

Fixtures (3pm): Bodmin Town v Launceston, Holsworthy v Bude Town, Liskeard Athletic v Camelford, Millbrook v Sticker, Truro City Reserves v Callington Town, Wendron United v Dobwalls.