CAPTAIN Scott Matthews insists Cross Keys will be going into tomorrow’s home encounter against Merthyr with nothing to fear after pushing the reigning league champions all the way at the Wern.

The Ironmen won the reverse fixture on the first weekend of the season 31-29, scoring two late tries to deny Matthews and his troops.

Matthews’ day was made worse as a shoulder injury picked up during the Principality Premiership East clash kept him sidelined for several weeks.

Keys, who go into tomorrow’s Pandy Park showdown (kick-off 2.30pm) four places and 12 points behind Merthyr, are one from bottom in the standings.

Matthews isn’t too concerned about that but would like his side to start turning things around soon.

“Obviously we’re not where we want to be,” he said. “We showed what we can do by beating Bedwas but then we lose games we can win.

“It’s a little bit frustrating. We’re playing a new style of rugby and maybe it’s not suiting us at the moment.

“We want to win every match but with the league split it is no major drama.”

He added: “Everyone I spoke to who watched the game at Merthyr said what a great advert it was for the league.

“We were very disappointed when we came off because we felt we should have come away with more points.

“We’re going into this weekend with no fears and hopefully we can turn things around, that has got be our mindset.”

After edging past Keys, Merthyr then lost three matches on the bounce, before getting back on track with a high-scoring defeat of Newport.

They won at Ebbw Vale and Bargoed before the league break and are currently third in the table.

Keys’ past players’ association are meeting before the game at 12.30pm for drinks and a buffet.