PENRHYNCOCH manager Gari Lewis says his side will go into this weekend’s Spar Mid Wales League showdown with Knighton Town in good heart - but he expects anticipates another stern test against the division one leaders.

The Ceredigion side got the better of their title rivals 2-0 at Cae Baker just a few weeks back, and Saturday’s result could have a significant bearing on the destiny of the league crown.

Arron Lemon’s second half strike earned Penrhyn a crucial 1-0 win at third-placed Llanrhaeadr last weekend, to maintain their unbeaten league record, and they are one point behind the Radnor Robins, with two games in hand.

Lewis, however, insists there is still a long way to go in the race for the championship, whatever the outcome of this weekend’s tussle.

“Some people are saying it’s a six-pointer and could decide the league, but even after Saturday both teams have got some tough games to play, so nothing will be decided,” Lewis said.

“From our point of view, we’ve got nine big league games, our next five are all away, and then we finish the season with four at home.

“We will focus on one at a time, starting with Knighton on Saturday. It’s a game that I’m really looking forward to, and hopefully the team can get another good result against them.

“We had a great result at home, we were better than them on the day, and we can take some confidence from that. They’re in good form at the moment, while we’re still unbeaten in the league, so something’s got to give again.”

Penrhyn stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 games with last weekend’s 1-0 success at one of the league’s top sides, Llanrhaeadr, to effectively end their hosts’ slim title hopes.

“I’ve got a lot time for Llanrhaeadr, they are a great club, but the pitch was shocking and made the game a lottery,” Lewis commented.

“You really couldn’t pass on it, so we just had to get the ball forward to the wingers as quickly as possible. They’ve got some good players, and the pitch did not really suit them as well.

“I’m proud of our lads, they put their bodies on the line, and the centre halves Jon Foligno and Aiden Nyhus were magnificent. Everyone battled hard in difficult conditions, and I’m delighted that we came away with the points.”

It was a good response from Penrhyn after they bowed out of the Central Wales Cup with a gutsy 3-2 fourth round exit away to Cymru Alliance outfit Guilsfield a few days before.

After a goalless first half, the Guils had broke the deadlock when Jack Richards met a Jake Cook cross, but the Roosters soon hit back to level courtesy of a goal from Arron Lemon.

A penalty from Cook, after player-boss Dan Barton had been fouled, and a further strike by Barton gave the Guils some breathing space, but the visitors kept their hopes alive with a late reply direct from a Mike Gornall corner.