Penrith have to gear up for a quick return game with Guisborough on Wednesday, after suffering a 3-2 home defeat to the North Yorkshire side on Saturday.
They meet up again in the First Division Cup following Penrith’s 2-0 home win over Bishop Auckland last week – but this time at Guisborough.
The cup, introduced at short notice, is not on Penrith’s extremely short list of priorities and certainly beaten opponents Bishops were not losing any sleep over last week’s defeat at Frenchfields.
Staying in the Northern League’s First Division is Penrith’s solitary aim over the next five weeks, and the fixture list until the last game at home to Seaham Red Star is tough.
Chairman Billy Williams said: “We have four away and four at home and the games away are all against sides in the current top six. One of the home games is going to be a real battle because it’s against Billingham Town who are bottom.”
Penrith had slipped back into the relegation zone’s bottom two with that home defeat to Guisborough.
“I’m afraid we were very poor, hardly putting two passes together. We went 3-0 down and in the only five-minute spell when we played anything like, we scored two goals. Of the bottom four, we were the only ones not to pick up points of any sort.
“In the cup win last week Chris used some of the younger players and they did well so I imagine he will go on similar lines on Wednesday,” said Williams.
Penrith resume their league programme on Saturday with a trip to Newton Aycliffe, who are currently lying fifth in the table.
The bottom four, fighting to avoid the drop, are: Bishop Auckland played 30 points 27; Northallerton 31, 25; Penrith 30, 25; Billingham Town 31, 23.
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