BRIXHAM VILLA will be missing two key men for tomorrow's town derby with fierce rivals Brixham United (3pm) as joint-manager George McDonald and defender Lee Hazelwood get set to grace the hallowed Wembley turf, writes Dean Stacey.

While the rest of the Villa squad and management team make the short trip to United's Wall Park ground for the Premier Division clash, McDonald and Hazelwood head for the national stadium to take part in a tournament hosted by Carlsberg for some of its biggest customers.

As St Austell Brewery employees, the duo will be part of a 15-man squad looking to claim glory beneath the giant arch against teams from rival breweries and supermarket outlets.

The tournament kicks off tomorrow morning at 11.30am.

Former centre-back McDonald, 34, who played for both Brixham teams after moving to the town at the age of ten, said: "It's typical that it should fall on the same day as we're playing Brixham United but I'm really excited about going up to Wembley.

"I went to the old Wembley a couple of times but I haven't been to the new stadium before.

"It will be a privileged day, although I probably couldn't say the same for my parents – they're both Scottish!"

With McDonald absent, Villa's team affairs will be left in the hands of co-bosses Phil Thomas and Neil Burnell.

Thomas and Burnell should be able to welcome back Neil Dyke after he missed last weekend's 3-2 triumph over Totnes & Dartington Reserves but, in addition to Hazelwood, they will be without Mark Lovell, Martin Brown and Chris Mitchell.

Winger Mitchell's absence is a permanent one having joined former manager Adam Castle at Buckland.

There are players in both squads who have played for Villa and United, the latest to make the switch across town are forwards Jay Morgan and Mark Griffiths, who swapped Wall Park for St Mary's in the summer.

The strike partnership that United's Dan Rankin and Scott Dodgson have built up has more than softened the blow of losing Morgan and Griffiths, however.

After banging in 16 goals between them during pre-season, the duo shared five of United's goals in their 6-0 thrashing of Galmpton Gents Reserves last Saturday – Rankin netted a hat-trick while Dodgson bagged a brace.

"They work well together," said manager Craig Dandridge, who missed the win due to a holiday in Menorca.

"Dodgson is the big man while Rankin is more of a touch player with a slight build."

Left-winger Nick Labrasse – one of three summer signings along with young central midfielder Hayden Roe and sweeper Mark Poffley, brother of left-back Luke – grabbed the other goal in the rout.

Poffley (Mark) has been struggling with ligament damage for much of the time since he joined and remains a doubt for the derby match.

JUSTIN Yeates has opted to stay on as manager of Ipplepen Athletic.

As reported in Monday's Herald Express, Yeates had tendered his resignation following last Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Abbotskerswell but it was rejected by the Ipplepen committee, who told him to go away and take more time to think about his future.

Yeates, who led the club back into the top-flight at the end of last season, has now decided to stick around.

"We've all worked so hard over the last two-and-a-half years," he commented.

"I don't want to throw all that away just because of the attitude of some of the players."

Yeates' decision boosts the Pens ahead of one of their most difficult games of the season – a home clash with champions Watts Blake Bearne tomorrow afternoon.

Two of Wattsies' most influential players, defender Lee Breslan and prolific striker Tom Sercombe, are unavailable through suspension but Yeates has a few selection problems himself, mainly in midfield.

Having already lost Grant Fawke to Galmpton, the Ipplepen boss was dealt another blow this week with the news that Marc Graham, a summer signing from Harbertonford, will be out of action for around two weeks after breaking his wrist… while cutting his mother-in-law's hedge!

'Apparently he fell off a ladder,' said Yeates, who will also be missing fellow midfielders Josh Bird (ankle) and Tom Kelly (hamstring) through injury.

The Pens chief is, however, hoping to tie up the signing of Mike Srdinko from Premier Division rivals Waldon Athletic – should the move come off, Mike will join brother Chris at Moor Road – and welcomes Glen Raymond back following a short spell at Brixham United.

Yeates has decisions to make in other areas of the pitch as well, with central defender Ethan Foster and Liam Lindon ruled out.

Striker Liam Rice is back 'home' from Bristol so should be included in the squad.

HARBERTONFORD go into tomorrow's Division One clash with Newton Spurs Reserves with only three members of the squad which ran the same opponents close in the Dartmouth Cup final towards the end of last season.

After 120 minutes of play ended with the teams tied at 2-2, Fords missed out on divisional cup glory on penalties back in April.

Of that team, only goalkeeper Dan Woods and outfield players Chris Salter and Chris Fry will be available for the 'rematch' tomorrow afternoon.

While players such as Mark Titchard and Zeb Peters remain signed on but are unavailable tomorrow – target man Peters, who scored both of Fords goals in their 2-0 win at Paignton Villa last weekend, is currently spending much of his time working in France – the majority of last season's squad has been snapped up by other clubs.

That includes utility man Liam Lindon and influential midfielders Myles Chalcraft, Marc Graham and Harry Carpanini.

Manager James Hannaford, who also led his side to a fourth-place finish last season, close to a second successive promotion, is currently in the process of rebuilding, mainly with youngsters such as 16-year-old winger Josh Squires.

Needless to say, Hannaford is disappointed to see the successful set of players he put together torn apart.

"The most frustrating thing for me is that we missed out on promotion by one point last season when we didn't have the support of a strong reserve-team set-up," he said.

"We brought in a new reserve-team boss (Brian Hodge) and he brought in quite a few new players, so we've got that support this season.

"But unfortunately I ended up losing players to other clubs.

"I don't think we'll be challenging this year as it's a case of rebuilding.

"I was chuffed to beat Paignton Villa in our first game – it was good to get some points on the board – but I need some older heads in the team."

TONIGHT'S instalment of Tolchards Friday Night Football sees two more Division Five sides go head-to-head with the reserve teams of Newton United and Chudleigh Athletic clashing at Coach Road, Newton Abbot (7pm).

Meanwhile, the England v Bulgaria game will be showing in the Cornerflag Bar.

IN MIDWEEK, Liverton United Reserves drew 2-2 at home to Meadowbrook Athletic in Division Three. Joe Bushin and Ryan O'connor scored for United, while Sam Benjamin-Guest and Dave Fitzgerald replied for Athletic in Wednesday's clash.