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Llanelli player/manager Andy Legg again faces the prospect of being without several first team players for tomorrow’s visit of Port Talbot Town (19:30).
Andy Legg watched on last weekend as his injury-hit Llanelli side edged to three points against Airbus, with a list of absentees which included Ashley Morris, Martyn Giles, Chris Venables, Craig Moses and Jason Bowen. Llanelli’s injury problems show no sign of letting up ahead of tomorrow night’s derby.
“We’ll have at least four or five players out tomorrow,” rued Legg. “We could have one back at the maximum and he’s a doubt.”
Port Talbot began their campaign with an assured 2-0 victory against Bala at the GenQuip stadium last Sunday, and having strengthened the squad once again over the summer, the Blues will be looking to end a run of six league visits without victory at Stebonheath. Mark Jones’s side will however be without David Brookes, who faces a six week layoff after suffering a broken metatarsal, on his goalscoring debut. Craig Jones and Nicky Holland will also both miss out through injury against their former club through injury but the attacking qualities of Liam McCreesh, Martin Rose and Luke Bowen should prove to be a significant threat against Llanelli.
“It’s going to be very tough, local derbies always are anyway but we always have a tough game against Port Talbot.” Andy Legg told www.southwalesfootball.com.
Former Port Talbot striker Rhys Griffiths scored both goals last weekend in Llanelli’s 2-1 win against Airbus, but Legg will be hoping for a report performance from 19 year old goalkeeper, Craig Richards, who saved a penalty and pulled off a string of saves on a highly impressive debut.
“He’s full of confidence and since he’s come into team he’s done exceptionally well.” Explained the Llanelli player/manager. “(His form) doesn’t surprise us having seen him in training and previous games. Nothing fazes him. He’s a good lad...he’s down to earth and will be looking forward to the game.”
Legg meanwhile remains ambitious as ever for the new season despite releasing several senior players as the club is forced to readjust its budget:
“My ambitions don’t change. I want to win every game and win the league title. That’s the way we set out and that’s the way we’ll continue.
“It’s very difficult, we’ve let six or seven senior players go and we’ll have to go with a lot young players. It’s going to be tough but it’ll be a good learning curve for the youngsters and will hopefully embed the team for Llanelli in the future. We’ve got a much smaller squad (this season), we signed a couple of youngsters last week (Scott Evans and Andy Orme). It’s a chance for them to get into the team, stake their claim and keep their place.
“My ambition is still the same; it won’t change no matter what team I put out. I want to win the league and I want to win the cups. It’s going to be a tough league this year with Bangor, TNS and Port Talbot... and Airbus and Aberystwyth.
“Bangor, Port Talbot, TNS and Neath have all strengthened. There’s a massive amount of games to played and it’s going to be tough for my young boys but it’ll be a good learning curve for them”.
Matthew Burgess
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