Moneyfields start ‘huge’ week featuring three games against fellow Southern League strugglers

In the next eight days they also face two other fellow strugglers in Bristol Manor Farm at home on Saturday and Basingstoke Town away next Tuesday.

Manager Dave Carter recognises these three games - all against teams who, like Moneys, are in the bototm seven - will have a crucial bearing on the fate of his team.

A good points haul will see them shrug off any possible fears of a return to the Wessex League.

However, defeats will leave them deep in trouble and facing an end-of-season relegation scrap.

With their games in hand on the teams below and around them, Carter is confident his side can stay up.

'We have a huge week ahead of us and the next three games are crucial,' he said.

'At the moment we are looking over our shoulder at the teams just below us.

'A good next seven days can help put a totally different complexion on things.

'We have 15 games left and eight of those are at home.

' Our home form has been good, having lost just twice on our own patch all season.

'Winning the rest of our home games has to be key to staying out of trouble.

'Mangotsfield lost to Basingstoke at the weekend so we have to be looking at picking up all three points at home.'

Moneyfields are aiming to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat at Cirencester.

They led 1-0 at half-time through a Steve Hutchings goal but conceded three goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half.

Carter felt it was always going to be difficult in the Cotswolds.

'They play on a 3G pitch and they knew how to exploit it,' he said.

'Now we have to capitalise on our home advantage.

'We want to get the points we need sooner rather than later.

'The last thing we want is to be scratching around for points in the closing weeks.

'It will only take a good mini-run of, say, five wins and we can put a lot of daylight between us and the bottom teams.'

Moneyfields are boosted by the return of experienced club captain Lewis Fennemore from suspension.

'Lewis gives us more leadership on the pitch,' said Carter

'Our team has a better balance when he is present.

'He also gives us an added attacking threat.'

Moneyfields are 18th, seven points and two places below their Bristol-based opponents.

Mangotsfield have won only one of their last seven league games, and have lost on their travels at the two teams below Moneys - Basingstoke and Barnstaple - in that time.