Cefn Druids and Airbus go head-to-head in crunch Cymru Premier clash

The Ancients have won eight of their last nine games in all competitions, a run of form that has seen them climb into sixth spot, three points ahead of Newtown with five matches remaining before the split.

And Griffiths said: “Every game is massive now, but we want to keep riding the crest of the wave. It’s important when you are on a good run of form to keep going.

“The lads are buzzing and the club is buzzing at the moment and long may it continue.”

Such is Druids’ form that they will head to struggling Airbus tomorrow afternoon as favourites for all three points.

But Griffiths warned: “We can’t take anything for granted.

“It’s a massive game, and one we are favourites to win, so it’s all about how we handle that.”

And Griffiths know Airbus, beaten 3-1 at The Rock back in August, will be out to ease their relegation concerns with a timely three points.

“It’s the biggest derby for us,” said Griffiths, who will be without assistant Jayson Starkey in the dugout after his dismissal during last week’s 2-0 success over Connah’s Quay Nomads.

“It’s a far bigger derby than TNS.

“There are players that have played for both clubs, players both clubs have tried to sign and the two clubs are similar in stature.”

Mike Pritchard and Tyrone Ofori return from suspension and injury respectively for Druids, while out of form Airbus hope to have a number of key men available.

Steve Tomassen, Ryan Edwards, Jordan Evans, below, and George Hughes could all come back into the Wingmakers squad, with Liam Williams and Brady McGilloway hoping to shrug of injuries that forced them out of last week’s 5-0 thumping against Caernarfon prematurely.

Jake Phillips remains suspended, but Airbus assistant manager Andrew Thomas said: “Hopefully we will have a lot of the nine players that we missed against Caernarfon back.

“It’s great that youngsters gets a chance, but it’s much better for them to get a chance alongside experienced players.”

On the clash with in-form Druids, Thomas added: “They are going very well and it will be a good test, but on our day we are a match for anyone in the division.”

Chris Hughes’ Newtown, the last team Airbus beat, head to lowly Penybont knowing they need to improve on last week’s victory over Carmarthen, who entertain Caernarfon tomorrow, if they are to keep the pressure on Druids.

“We are a hard working team with a little bit of quality and some good experienced players, and we will keep chipping away,” said Hughes.

“Cefn Druids and Cardiff Met, you look at the squads they’ve got and they’ve both been in Europe over the last couple of years, they’ve got big resources and good managers, so we will keep chipping away and see where we get.

“We go to Penybont and we need to improve a little bit.

“We are in a really good position with five games to go and we are looking forward to the next two or three games before and after Christmas, and we will see where that takes us.”

Barry Town United are looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack, but boss Gavin Chesterfield feels four points from a possible 15 should guarantee a top-six spot.

“We are motivated for every game,” said Chesterfield of tonight’s trip to Aberystwyth.

“We look forward to the challenge and it’s not going to be easy, but it’s a challenge we will relish.

“Three maybe four points will be enough to get into the top six, so let’s see if we can get that and go from there.”

At the top of the table, Scott Ruscoe insists leaders The New Saints can’t afford to take their foot off the gas heading into a busy festive period.

First up for the reigning champions is tonight’s televised home clash with Cardiff Met, before back-to-back games against Druids heading into the new year.

Having defeated Barry Town United 4-1 at Jenner Park, Saints boss Ruscoe called for more of the same, starting with Christian Edwards’ Archers.

“There is no point winning at Barry in that manner and then going and slipping up over the next couple of games.”