BIG DERBY PREVIEW: North Petherton vs Bridgwater & Albion (From Bridgwater Mercury)

BIG DERBY PREVIEW: North Petherton vs Bridgwater & Albion

8:00am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Sport

NORTH Petherton and Bridgwater and Albion lock horns in the Tribute South-West 1 West this Saturday in what is expected to be a fierce derby clash.

Table-toppers Petherton welcome their neighbours, who currently sit fourth from bottom, having not played since their 30-15 loss at Wadebridge Camels on December 15.

Albion go into the game buoyed by their 20-point victory over North Dorset at College Way the same day.

Petherton skipper James Carter says he expects his side to be raring to go when the sides meet.

“It’s the big one and hopefully we’ll get a good crowd in and people will be up for it,” he said. “It’s going to be tough – Bridgwater are still a good side even though their league position doesn’t reflect it.

“We’re not going to underestimate them.”

The Oaks have been in terrific form this season since their promotion, winning 12 of their first 14 matches, picking up eight bonus points and opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table.

But Carter said they won’t be getting carried away just yet.

He added: “We’re taking each game as it comes. We’ve done well but no game has been easy and nobody is running away with it.

“Last year we didn’t have the best start to the New Year so we need to make sure we do this time around.

“I think injuries play a big factor so hopefully everybody will be available and we get a bit of luck.”

Albion head coach Kevin Innalls said his side are picking things up and what he described as a difficult time for the club.

He said: “Things are looking much more stable now and a couple of new players in key positions have helped a lot.

“We have been outgunned a couple of times this season in some of our earlier games but I also think we have been unlucky at times, especially on the road.

“It has been hard at times but I believe that if you work hard you will reap the rewards and we will be hoping to do so against North Petherton at the weekend.”

Entry into Beggars Brook is £3 for the 2.30pm kick-off.