WELLINGTON AFC manager Clive Jones is expecting a closely-fought encounter when the Tangerines welcome Bradford Town to North Street tomorrow (ko 3pm).

Jones' side have progressed up the Toolstation Western League Premier Division table with emphatic wins over Shortwood United and Cadbury Heath - plus a 0-0 draw with perennial promotion challengers Buckland Athletic - to currently lie in eighth position.

The manager said: "Our best performance of the season was against Buckland.

"In the last few games the players have stood up, and taken more responsibility.

"We've also found a system which suits the players better.

"Everybody is fully fit now, and they're fighting to keep their shirt."

A much-changed Tangerines side was knocked out of the Somerset Premier Cup on Wednesday night, Conor Bryant scoring their consolation goal in a 2-1 loss at Clevedon Town.

"It was an opportunity for some of our younger players to play, and I'm glad I did that," Jones said.

Tomorrow's visitors Bradford are ninth in the table, with the same number of points but one more game played.

Jones added: "It could be like the away game, where we won 2-0 but could easily have lost 2-0.

"Since then they have sacked their manager; I expect it to be a close match, and hopefully we will get the rub of the green."

Also in the Western League this weekend, First Division side Bishops Lydeard travel to Keynsham Town (ko 3pm).

Lydeard were also knocked out of the Premier Cup in midweek, losing 3-2 at Bath City on Tuesday, despite goals from Mark Clunie and Zac Ryder.

Tomorrow's match sees seventh host 13th, with only one point between them in a congested mid-table area.

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IN the Somerset County League, Minehead AFC, Staplegrove and Watchet Town all face Premier & Division 1 Cup matches tomorrow.

Minehead look to take confidence from their win over West Somerset rivals Watchet last weekend, as they entertain Uphill Castle.

Staplegrove are away to Clutton, and Watchet host Stockwood Green (all ko 3pm).