The NPL West title could be decided at Borough Park tomorrow when Workington Reds host Warrington Rylands in the match of the day.
The clash brings together the league leaders, Rylands, who are the top scorers with 91 goals from their 35 games and Reds, who are second, with the best defence, only conceding 23 in their 34 games.
The game in hand could be crucial for the Cumbrians, but that’s a tough one at third-place Marine a week tomorrow.
At the moment, too, Rylands have a 12 goal pull in scoring differential although Reds will be hoping to reduce that in their last two matches when they play the two relegated sides, Kendal Town and Market Drayton who between them have conceded 186 goals.
“What we want to do is win the game tomorrow which would give us a cushion going into our last three games.
“I was really pleased with how we went on Tuesday at Bootle and I’m looking forward to seeing the lads respond against the league leaders, who were watching that night.
“It’s been a really tight league all season with ourselves, Rylands, Marine and Mossley all leading at some point. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we just want to be sure we are in front when it finishes,” said manager Chris Willcock.
But Willcock is still sweating on a couple of injury issues ahead of the big game.
Industrious midfielder Brad Hubbold has missed the last three games with a hamstring issue while Kyle Harrison limped out of Tuesday’s game just before half-time.
“I’m hoping for the best but there are still three important games after Saturday so nobody will be playing if they are not fully fit,” said the manager.
With the weather set fair for tomorrow, and with so much riding on the game, Reds are looking for a 1,500 crowd with Willcock insisting they all bring their voices.
“We want a vocal crowd right behind the team from the word go. You could say this is the club’s biggest game for 23 years since they won the last game of the season to clinch the North Western Trains League title,” said Willcock.
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