Downers test is a massive game for us, says United boss Henley

CLEVEDON United boss Stu Henley says that even at this early stage of the season, this weekend's game against Odd Down Reserves is a massive fixture for his side.

Clevedon sit bottom of the Premier Division, but go into the game on the back of an impressive 4-0 win against Bishop Sutton Reserves in the cup.

Henley said: "It was nice to score four goals and even nicer to keep a clean sheet, but this is a massive game this week, one we need to win."

Henley feels his side are better than their league position shows, but admitted results show otherwise.

He said: "we've had some good performances of late and I feel like we don't deserve to be bottom, but let's be fair, the table doesn't lie."

Clevedon welcome back Nick Lee and Tony Cook to their squad for Saturday's game. Cook has been out with a knee injury and hasn't featured since pre-season.

Shirehampton manager Pete McCall is looking for his side to build on their impressive 4-3 victory over Bishops Lydeard last weekend, but admitted his young side will be up against it when they play Cutters Friday, who have won their last five league games.

McCall said: "The lads are starting to pick up, but as always with Cutters, you are going to get a tough game."

Shirehampton are the only side to inflict a home defeat on Cutters this season, when they beat the 6-5 early on, and Cutters Friday boss Neil Soper is expecting a difficult match.

He said: "Shirehampton beat us early in the season, but to be honest both teams were defensively poor. I'd take a 1-0 win on Saturday."

St George (EIG) won their first game of the season last time out, but the two-week break has frustrated manager Mark Penny.

Penny said: "We played well against a good young side (Bridgwater Town Reserves), so we aredisappointed we had a break last week."

St George have promoted Stuart Packham and Jordan Scaffee from the reserves to the first-team squad and also signed Michael Hicks from Hengrove.

Ashton & Backwell United manager Shane Smith is hoping his side can carry on where they left off when they face Weston St Johns.

Like St George, United didn't have a fixture last week and manager Smith is hoping his side can produce the kind of performance that has seen them go on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Smith said: "We are in for a tough game against a good side, but we are scoring goals and look solid defensively."

In the Somerset Senior Cup, Nailsea Town face Cleeve West Town, who play a division below them.

However, Nailsea manager Dave Payne believes there isn't a gulf in difference between the two sides.

He said: "There's not a great difference between the teams. Whoever wants it more on the day will win.

"For them, it's a one-off game with nothing to lose. If we win, it's because we are in the league above."

In another Somerset Senior Cup tie, Nailsea United travel to Stockwood Green.