Penrith start the New Year with a Regional 1 North West clash at Winters Park against Northwich.
The Cumbrians finished the old year in determined fashion, and with some familiar faces returning to the starting line-up, gave every indication that they can fight their way out of trouble.
They start 2024 fourth bottom but only three points clear of the table-proppers Sandbach and a point better-off than visitors Northwich.
So clearly a crucial game to start the year for both clubs as six teams can be considered potentially in danger of the drop as the League has split into two distinct groups.
Make that three groups actually as the top three have broken well clear and the next three have their own little mini-League to sort out fourth, fifth and sixth.
Kendal are in that middle section and will have high hopes of collecting maximum points when they resume their programme at home to the bottom side Sandbach.
Dan Bowman’s side have a record over the first half of the season which reflects their mid-table berth of six wins, five defeats and a draw with an overall scoring differential of minus 11.
In Regional Two North Aspatria are doing best of the four Cumbrian clubs but two recent away defeats have seen them slip from fourth to sixth.
They will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host local rivals Cockermouth who are still looking for their first League win.
But the Black Reds will be well aware that Cockermouth gave them a real go in a recent County Cup fixture at Bower Park and will be keen to follow up.
Martin Maughan has been appointed as referee for this one.
Upper Eden are the other Cumbrian side occupying a relegation place and they have the toughest of tests to start the New Year when they travel to Percy Park who are eight points clear at the top.
Keswick are only four points better off than their Pennine Park neighbours and they, too, have a tough test to start off proceedings in 2024 as they travel to third-placed Middlesbrough.
Counties 1 Cumbria leaders Carlisle restart the League programme at Keswick Seconds (referee Jim Donald).
They have a handy lead at the top of the table and look to be on course for a swift return to the higher level.
The other games scheduled are: Workington v Wigton (Martyn Harrison); Millom v Windermere (ref to be confirmed); Aspatria 2nds v Egremont (Archie Harding); St Benedict’s v Whitehaven (Martin Denvir); Hawcoat Park v Creighton (Alan Jenkinson).
