SKENFRITH manager Paul Brown looks set to change his side's formation this weekend, to try and counter the daunting challenge of their next opponents and already title favourites Kingston.
The Herefordshire League Division Two pace-setters play with three strikers up front, leaving Brown pondering the question just how can he stifle their challenge.
"It's a difficult one, but I think we'll certainly be reverting back to a 4-4-2 formation.
Depending on how the match progresses, we could even slip into a 5-4-1 system," revealed Brown.
He went on: "The match isn't too decisive at this stage of the season, but it would be nice to take charge early on against them with a win.
"Along with Allpay and Orleton, I think it's us four for the top positions in the table. "If we get three points on Saturday, then that's a big plus. I would take a draw to be honest. They're a very fast and out-and-out attacking side, with three up front and some useful wing backs too.
"I don' think our change in formation necessarily means that we will be a defensive-minded team, just a bit more cautious about their men up front."
Saturday saw Skennie knocked out of the first cup competition of the season, when they went down 2-1 to Division One outfit Bromyard, but Brown isn't too concerned at the defeat.
"We had a bad referee in my opinion, but still did well and competed against a higher opposition.
"It stands us in good stead for the league battle," he said.
David Ellias grabbed Skennie's only goal with a moment of genius as he breezed his way past two defenders and the keeper to slot the ball home for the lead.
"David was excellent for the entire match and scored a class goal. He caused Bromyard problems all through the game, and came close on plenty of other occasions to scoring," said Brown of Satur-day's man-of-the-match.
Unfortunately for the Skennie boss, Ellias is one of a number of injury doubts ahead of this weekend's crunch game against Kingston.
Striker Darren Bontej won't make his first start of the season, as he is still out with an ankle injury, while Ellias is nursing a knee injury, while key defenders Ian Jones, Anthony Jackson and Kevin Akton are all out.
The only good news for Brown is central midfielder Andrew Morris could be back from an ankle injury.
Brown, though, remains optimistic. "We marked well on Saturday against Bromyard and can do the same against Kingston this weekend," he said.
The game will be only the second league fixture to be played at the club's new pitch - one the side is having a few teething problems settling into.
"It's a lot bigger, but looking at the lads playing against Allpay on it, you would have thought they were playing on our old one. I've told them it's going to take a while for them to settle into it and get used to the width. Once they do that, pitch will be worth a few points to us for sure."
Skenfrith kick-off at home at 2.30 this Saturday in the match with Kingston.
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