LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL
2ND LEG THE NEW SAINTS v NEATH FC Tue 9 Dec 2008 / Park Hall / 7.30pm |
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| Tommy Holmes grabbed a rare goal in the Welsh Premier win over Neath earlier this season. |
Already trailing 2-0 from the first leg at The Gnoll, they face Neath with a squad depleted by suspensions, injuries and unavailability.
Jamie Wood's late and unnecessary dismissal against Rhyl leaves him sidelined along with Alex Darlington, who serves a one-match ban for accumulating five cautions.
Craig Williams is cup-tied after playing for Llanelli in the group stages, John Leah is a definite injury absentee, while Barry Hogan has yet to kick a ball competitively as he recovers from several weeks on the treatment table.
It means an almost certain start for John Toner upfront alongside Michael Wilde, with midfielder John McKenna looking good for another appearance after impressing against the Eagles in the first leg and holding his own in the Rhyl defeat.
The visitors are not without problems of their own, with leading scorer Andy Hill out with injury, but on-loan Swans' starlet Dion Chambers deputised ably with a brace in the 4-1 win at Porthmadog's Traeth on Saturday.
The visitors have defied their poor league form in the cup and, with a first-ever final appearance within their grasp, are likely to prove redoubtable opponents.
"We need to bounce back quickly. We’ve got a big week with the cup tonight and a league match at Airbus on Friday night," says head coach Andy Cale.
9 December 2008