Workington will stage the NPL West’s match of the day this weekend at Borough Park.
The Reds host Leek Town which means it’s third versus second in a battle to stay in touch with leaders and title favourites Macclesfield.
Reds moved into third place with their win last Saturday and the mid-week results did not affect that standing although Macclesfield pulled three points further in front with a big 5-0 home win over Kidsgrove Athletic.
Reds trip to Macclesfield next Saturday is off so there’s extra reason for Danny Grainger’s men to win the battle between the Silkmen’s two pursuers.
Bobby Carroll is the nearest to getting back playing among the three long-term absentees but is not ready for a game yet.
In addition Grainger is giving as long as possible to decide on two players who picked-up knocks last week against Skelmersdale.
Grainger said: “I’m hoping they are going to be okay to play because they have been playing regularly but we do have Cieran Casson and Jordan Palmer back after they were unavailable last week.
“I’ve had a couple of discussions this week with two clubs about loan players but there was nothing doing.
“But that’s ok. We have been playing with a lot more confidence and I want to see that tomorrow against a very good Leek side.
“They are very good going forward with three excellent front men so we are going to have to be on our guard at the back.”
In the Northern League Carlisle City travel to West Auckland seeking to end a run of two successive First Division defeats.
That was followed by a big 13-1 win on Tuesday in the first round of the County Cup and manager Jim Nichols will hope that’s sharpened their shooting boots.
One of the great teams of yesteryear, the Mighty Magayrs from Hungary in the 1950s regularly used to play and hammer factory teams ahead of international games to get them in the groove.
Fellow Cumbrians Penrith are at home to Guisborough, a side who were beaten 3-1 at Kendal Town last week in the FA Vase.
Manager Darren Edmondson has been pleased with his side’s recent performances despite the score-lines and hopes that one or two recent absentees will be ready to start this one.
In the North West Counties Premier Division Kendal Town travel to Litherland who are two places behind the Mintcakes and a point less.
Kendal earned praise for a good performance in mid-week against Bury AFC when they played for just over half the game with ten men before losing 2-0.
In the First Division North Holker Old Boys have a home game against Ashton Town while Cleator Moor Celtic visit Bacup Borough.
Both are making progress after a slow start with Holker in particular showing signs of repeating last season’s form in reaching the play-offs.
They are up to ninth just three points off the play-offs and will fancy their chances tomorrow of improving that against the bottom side.
Celtic are three points further back and their hosts Bacup, lie between the two Cumbrian clubs.
In the West Lancashire League Whitehaven have enough games in hand to go top if they win them.
The County Ground side have a good chance to improve their position tomorrow at home to Hurst Green who are next to bottom.
In the Wearside League Cumbrians Windscale are without a fixture.
