It’s a big week for Workington Reds in which they can get level again at the top of the NPL West Division.
Another vacant Saturday meant that Warrington Rylands had the chance to go clear and a 2-0 victory at Kendal Town took them ahead by three by points.
Reds, however, have three games in hand the first of which comes up tomorrow night at Bootle.
It’s developed into a thrilling four horse race for the automatic promotion place, when the consolation prize for three of them is that they should all make the play-offs.
Rylands currently lead with 68 points from 31 games and a goal difference of plus 45. The three teams in behind are all on 65 points but Reds are plus 36 goals from 28 games; Leek are plus 32 from 30 games and Marine are plus 25 from 29.
Workington really have it in their own hands as they have games in hand and play all three of their rivals – Leek away on Saturday and then in a big final month of the season have Rylands at home on April 9 and Marine away on April 16.
If they can get their noses in front after then they will fancy their chances of completing the job as their last two games are against the bottom two who are odds on for relegation – Kendal Town at home and Market Drayton away.
Reds, smarting from a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Widnes a week earlier, went to Premier Division Lancaster on Saturday for a friendly and recorded an impressive 4-1 win.
Manager Chris Willcock will want to take that into the Bootle game but he will be without centre half Dan Wordsworth who will be starting a three match suspension following his dismissal against Widnes.
Willcock says that as a result of the ban, and mindful that his team are going into the final lap of the season, he is looking to bring in a new defender.
“We are looking at a few options. It will either be a right back, and move Kyle (Harrison) to centre-half or it will be a specialst centre-back.
“As I’ve said before it has to be the right player for this group and has to be someone who has been playing at a good level and can go straight into the team.
“Mind you, if nothing develops I’m more than happy to have Brad (Carroll) operating at the back. He’s always done well when we’ve played him there, as he did on Saturday.
“I’m hoping that both Tinners (Conor Tinnion) and Nico (Evangelinos) will be ready to return to the squad at Leek on Saturday.”
