PENRHYNCOCH are hoping to give themselves a major lift when they welcome Welsh Premier neighbours Aberystwyth Town to Cae Baker in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup at Cae Baker tonight (Wednesday, 7.45pm).

After suffering back-to-back defeats in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, the Roosters will want to to get back on track in a game which they will start as underdogs.

"We’re expecting a crowd of 300-400, so there will be a good atmosphere, and it’s a game to look forward to," said Penrhyncoch manager Gari Lewis.

"They’ve picked up a few nasty injures, so both sides will be under strength for the match, but it will make for an exciting and interesting game."

Penrhyn have entered the Cup as one of the wildcard entrants, and neither side could have asked for a bigger draw in the first round.

Although the sides are regular friendly opponents, this will be their first competitive encounter since 1984/5, when they met in the Central Wales League.

The links between the two Ceredigion clubs are endless, with Aber manager Matthew Bishop living in Penrhyncoch, and Jonathan Evans in his third spell at Aber from the Roosters.

Penrhyn manager Lewis and his assistants Aneurin Thomas and Bari Morgan are all Aberystwth Town legends, as is Sion James who switched from Aber this summer.

Penrhyn, who have acquitted themselves well in the competition in the past, are still without the influential former Seasider Antonio Corbisiero and Josh Shaw through injury.

Youngster Jack Rimmer, who made his debut in the 3-1 defeat at Conwy Borough last weekend following his loan move from Aberystwyth Town, will not feature against his parent club.

Defender Jon Foligno, however, is set to return for Penrhyn after being at a wedding last weekend, while Florin Burcea, who is now back in his country, may make his competitive debut.

For Aberystwyth, captain Luke Sherbon and central midfielder Joe Clarke will sit out the tie after picking up injuries in their 4-0 defeat at Bangor City.

Meanwhile, Penrhyncoch were left to reflect on their second defeat in the week after going down 3-1 at Conwy Borough, which had followed a 2-1 home loss to Llanfair United a few days before.The Roosters will also face a big clash at home to Buckley Town on Saturday as they look to get their Cymru Alliance campaign back on track.

"Little things are going against us at the moment," said Lewis. "Injuries are not helping, and had we had Corbs (Antonio Corbisiero) and Josh Shaw against Conwy, then it was a game we could have won.

"We had to make changes, but we did well for the first 25 minutes, but unfortunately conceded a poor goal and lost our momentum after that.

"Once they got a second, it was going to be tough, but we changed things around in the second half and got a goal back, but it was not to be.

"Although we conceded three goals, I didn’t think we defended that badly, but at this level, when you make mistakes, you’ll get punished."

Penrhyn had it all to do after finding themselves two goals down at half time, Joe Chaplin getting the first when beating the offside trap to race through and slot past Lee Jenkins on 24 minutes.

Harri Horwood went off through injury midway through the half, with Arron Lemon making his first appearance of the season as substitute.

The hosts doubled their advantage just before the interval when Jamie Parker’s strike from the edge of the box found the net via a deflection.

Penrhyn rallied after the break, with Dafydd Carruthers just wide after the hosts fail to deal with a cross from 17-year-old Rimmer, who has joined Cae Baker on loan from Aberystwyth Town.

They revived their cause when Owain James, who switched back to midfield after starting in defence for the unavailable Foligno, scrambled one back from a corner.

The Roosters scented a leveller, but Conwy struck a third on the break through Lee Davey to finally wrap up the three points 12 minutes from time.