Merthyr Town face their toughest Southern League away match of the season at leaders Chippenham Town on Saturday.
The home team are on an unbeaten run of 19 matches, they haven’t lost in 2017 and are hot favourites to fill the lone automatic promotion spot available.
Merthyr are currently and battling to stay in the play-off positions.
The Bluebirds of Chippenham won the Premier Division Team of Month Award winners for February and their last four games have all produced narrow victories.
Their latest success came at Hayes and Yeading when David Pratt scored an injury time winner and took his goals tally for the season to 28 in all competitions.
Pratt, though, is second in Chippenham’s scoring charts to Premier Division leading goals man Andy Sandell, who has 33.
Former Newport County striker Sandell, though, is rated doubtful for the match against Merthyr because of a groin strain.
Chippenham have boosted their squad with the loan signing of 20-year-old striker Jake Andrews from Bristol City, while ex-Merthyr defender Rhys Baggridge is in their squad.
Chippenham are the division’s leading scorers with 79 compared to Merthyr’s 74, but, unlike Merthyr, they have conceded more than a goal a game from their 39 played.
If Merthyr could pull off a win it might see them move up to fourth place ahead of Hitchin who are away to Redditch United, while a defeat could leave them only ahead of sixth-placed Banbury on goal difference if the Puritans were to win at Chesham in the reverse of their midweek fixture with them.
Team news for Merthyr is that three players will be suspended with Scott Barrow completing his three-match suspension, Gavin Williams serving the second of his two-match ban and Keyon Reffell out for the first of three after being sent off against Weymouth last week.
Ryan Prosser is also likely to miss the match due to a back injury.
Merthyr Town’s remaining fixtures this season
March
Saturday 18 v Chippenham Town (away, 3pm)
Saturday 25 v Cambridge City (home, 3pm)
April
Saturday 1 v Kings Stanley (away, 3pm)
Saturday 8 v St Neots Town (away, 3pm)
Saturday 15 v St Ives Town (3pm)
Monday 17 v Redditch United (away, 3pm)
Saturday 22 v Hayes and Yeading (home, 3pm)
Entry prices to Merthyr Town matches at Penydarren Park: Adults £10; Senior Citizens (65 and over) plus Cardiff City/Swansea City season ticket holders £8; Students (16-18 years of age) £7; Under 16 £1; Under 6 free.
