PENRHYNCOCH will have a spring in their step when they return to Huws Gray Cymru Alliance duty at home to Ruthin Town on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

With the Huws Gray Cup taking centre stage last weekend, the Roosters had a bye as scheduled opponents Rhayader Town pulled out of the league on the eve of the season.

They will be hoping to pick up from where they left off two weeks ago after boosting their hopes of climbing clear of basement danger with an excellent 2-1 victory over Holyhead Hotspur.

That win, their third of the season in the league, opened up a four point gap on the bottom three teams. Although they remain 11th, one of four sides on 11 points, the Roosters are now in touching distance of mid table.

They now welcome a Ruthin side who lie two points above, but have also played one more game than their hosts. Last Friday they were beaten 3-0 at Airbus UK Broughton in the Cup.

It’s a chance for Penrhyn to make up more ground, but boss Gari Lewis knows his side will again have to be at their best in this weekend’s tussle at Cae Baker.

"Ruthin are a good locally based outfit, they have brought in a couple of good signings, and I have a lot of respect for their manager Chris Williams," he said.

"We’re not looking too far ahead, but this is another big game for us, like they all are.

"The players have shown a real togetherness, hunger and desire which can only put us in good stead and give us a lot of confidence."

With Nashawn Blake (knee) and Antonio Corbisiero (ribs) back to full fitness, Lewis has plenty of options ahead of this weekend’s encounter.

Rhun Garner, meanwhile, has joined local rivals Bow Street - and scored on his debut last weekend.

"He’s a talented lad, one of the most natural young finishers I’ve seen, but he needed to get regular first team opportunities which he wasn’t getting here at the moment," said Lewis. "We all wish him well."

Meanwhile Penrhyncoch have been drawn away at Gresford Athletic in the second round of the Huws Gray Cup.

Full draw: Porthmadog v Holyhead Hotspur/Guilsfield; Gresford Athletic v Penrhyncoch; Llandudno Junction v Rhyl and Airbus Broughton v Flint Town United.