WESTBURY United are in danger of becoming cut adrift in the Premier Division relegation zone, despite some encouraging displays under the guidance of Derek Graham this term.

Graham will take his young side to Paulton for their final game of 2001 on Saturday knowing victory could put his side level on points with third from bottom Bridgwater.

He said: "They're all tough games in this league, but that means I don't have to lift the players. They'll work their socks off and are looking forward to it.

"This is our last game until January 5. We rearranged our Christmas games because a few of our lads were away and we could have been struggling."

In the First Division, Corsham Town will be hoping to re-establish promotion credentials over the festive period.

The Southbank outfit went on a nine-match unbeaten run in the league between September 3 and November 17 and reached the heady heights of fourth place in the process.

But defeat at the hands of Street last week and a disappointing goal-less draw at nine-man Larkhall at the weekend leaves Mark Godley's side in ninth place going into the Christmas period, although they are just a point behind the fifth placed side.

Godley is confident his side can return to winning ways when they entertain Cadbury Health on Saturday.

He said: "They are a bit stronger than last year and seem to have improved. It won't be an easy game for us, but we have a full squad and we are more than capable of taking the three points."

Corsham will then face Calne Town for the first time this season at Bremhill View on Boxing Day, kick off 11.30am.

Calne, who finished bottom of the league last season, have struggled again this term and are a point clear of the relegation places after their recent vital win over Warminster Town.

Former Corsham man Simon Bray has recovered from injury and is likely to be in the Calne line-up to face his old club, while Matt Pratley and midfielder Micky Garcia will do likewise for the visitors.

Said Godley: "I think this game means more to them than it does to us for the first time in years.

"We are just going there looking for the three points out of the game and not just because it is Calne. Obviously it is a local derby and there is that added spice, but the most important thing is the three points.

"I think they would know a bit more about us than we would know about them because they have chopped and changed so much lately."

Godley's opposite number Paul Rankin has had to contend with the loss of key men such as Julian Alexander, Jamie Gale, Sean Terry and, most recently, Martin Wheeler this term and will be relying on youth in his bid for local honours against Corsham.

He said: "It will be a close game and I would expect us to be better than our position in the league suggests.

"A few of our players have friends who play for Corsham, so I'm expecting some passion on the field. My side will be fully prepared for the game."

Rankin believes the main threat to his side will come from Corsham's feared strike duo of ten-goal top scorer Pratley and veteran John Freegard.

He said: "I went to watch them at Larkhall and they are looking like a top six side to me. John Freegard is obviously a threat and Pratley is someone I tried to sign when I was manager at Larkhall. He is a goalscorer but left Calne before I had the chance to do anything about it.

Before the Wiltshire derby, Calne have the small matter of a crunch relegation clash at Wellington on Saturday.

The two sides are separated by just a point and lie second and third from bottom of the table going into the clash and Calne are expected to hand a debut to new striker Matt Ward, who signed from St Austell this week.

Said Rankin: "It is another six-pointer. They lost 7-0 to Melksham, but Wellington is always a hard place to go.

Calne could do Wiltshire rivals Warminster a favour with victory in Somerset on Saturday.

The Weymouth Street club take on Ilfracombe looking for their first home win of the season and know that three points could close the gap on their nearest rivals Wellington.

Manager Andy Crabtree is hoping his side can bounce back from a shocking 10-0 defeat in their last league outing at home to Weston St Johns nine days ago.

He said: "Anybody can beat anybody in this league and there is always a possibility. We've got a lot of youngsters and they are so unpredictable. It is just a confidence thing.

"We've got to approach it right and, with Sam Naish and Keith Ball back, I've got a stronger squad. Ilfracombe seem to have slipped in recent weeks, so you never know."

Naish, Ball, Dave Dredge, goalkeeper Lloyd Chamberlain and Crabtree will return to their former club when Warminster visit near neighbours Frome Town on Boxing Day, kick off 12pm.

He said: "They are certainly in-form at the moment. I know most of their players and I know a few of our lads are looking forward to the game.

"We won't be expected to win, so there is no pressure on us. We'll just go there and do the best we can."