HelstoN Athletic boss Sid Taylor has descirbed Good Friday’s derby against Porthleven as a massive game for the club as they look to claim a second placed finish in the league.

Helston currently sit seven points ahead of third place Godolphin, in the Carslberg SW Peninsula League division one west but, with Penryn also coming into the shake up for second, Taylor has set his side the task of winning their last three games.

Taylor, said: “Penryn have got three games in hand on us and if they win their games in hand they will only be two points behind us and that is a slender lead. It makes Friday a massive game for us. We have got to keep winning.”

However, Taylor knows Porthleven will be a tough match. They have run Helston close in two cup games this season, both of which went to extra-time. Helston did beat Porthleven at home in the league on Boxing Day, but only by a slender 2-1 scoreline and with Porthleven looking for revenge for those defeats it could prove a potential banana skin for Helston.

“The matches between us have been terrific games,” said Taylor. “They have been close and good for the fans, with lots of goals and plenty of incidents. It has been good for the local area to see two teams, so evenly matched, battling it out.

“If anything I’m expecting the same, if not more from Porthleven this time. They must be hurt (by the defeats) and I fully expect them to come at us all guns blazing.

“They have got nothing left to play for really, so they will view this as their last cup final of the season, so it’s going to be difficult. Taylor added that he had no fresh injury worries for the game, which kicks off at Gala Parc at 2pm.

Ben Stidwell will retrun from suspension for the match, along with Nigel Thwaites and Chris Breesley.

Taylor said he would be making some changes to the side that beat Callington 1-0 on Saturday as, having watched Port play a few times recently, he is looking to employ a new system for the game.

For a full report and picture special from the Good Friday derby, pick up a copy of next week’s Helston Packet.