PORTHLEVEN could catapult themselves into the SWPL Division 1 West title race with two derby wins in the next week, writes Matt Dixon.

Firstly they take on Illogan under floodlights on Friday evening (7.30pm), before long-time league leaders Ludgvan are the visitors to Gala Parc next Wednesday.

Boss Alan Carey said: "We're still very much in the hunt to win it, as there lots of games to play and many of those are between the top teams. Our next two games are massively important - if we win them, we'll be right in the shake-up."

The Fishermen are in fifth spot, separated only by one point from second place, currently occupied by Liskeard Athletic.

Ludgvan are six points clear at the top, but a 3-0 defeat at home to Liskeard ten days ago would have set the league's newcomers back on their heels.

After Wednesday's showdown with Ludgvan, Port have another four more games before the end of March, the last of which is at local rivals Wendron United on Good Friday (March 30).

Carey is hoping to bring in one or two new faces before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, as his squad has had to cope with several long term injuries this season.

Defenders Ben Stidwell, Dan Tarrant and Chris Wormington have all been sidelined for months, although Wormington may be included in Friday night's squad.

Pete Maclean and Dan Hindmarch also return after missing the 1-0 win at Holsworthy at the end of February.

"Our best performance was probably at Millbrook, when we only had a scratch squad. Hopefully we'll have 15 or 16 players involved for the first time in a while on Friday," added Carey.