Shell-shocked Carlisle City will try to get back on track tomorrow when they host Birtley Town in Northern League Division One.
A 7-1 thrashing at Whickham on Wednesday night dealt a severe blow to City’s play-off hopes, and it became an embarrassing surrender in the second-half.
Clearly manager Jim Nichols wants a response at home to Birtley, who have established their own play-off credentials in recent weeks.
They currently lie fourth in the table, and although just a point ahead of City, that’s from four less games.
The heavy defeat contributed to Carlisle City’s goal difference and they are now the only side in the top half of the table in minus figures.
Division One rivals Penrith are playing tonight against another current top five side, West Auckland.
They are third in the table, four points better off than Carlisle City but from just one game less.
Penrith are in good heart after successive victories – 2-1 at North Shields and 5-3 at home to Whickham – but West Auckland, on their own patch, will be a bigger test for the Bonnyblues.
Penrith, under Darren Edmondson, have improved dramatically this season and are currently lying 12th in the table although they have played more games than all the teams below them.
However, there’s no danger of being dragged into any late battle to survive relegation and it still promises to be their best finish for some time.
Kendal Town went off the rails in January and early February without a win, but three successive League victories have raised hopes of a place in the play-offs.
They still have ground to make-up but their form over the last three games in which they have scored five, six and one (12 goals) has been encouraging.
They are on the fringe of the play-offs just a point behind Prestwich Heys but from two more games.
They have to keep on winning, starting tomorrow at Irlam Town who are 13th, 13 points behind but with three games in hand.
In the West Lancashire League Premier Division both west Cumbrian clubs had an enforced break last week.
Whitehaven’s trip to Coppull and Cleator Moor Celtic’s game at Turton were both postponed because of unfit pitches.
Unfortunately it’s in afternoon off again for the pair tomorrow after both exited Cup competitions in the earlier round.
Windscale have been having a tough time of it lately because of injuries and were thrashed 7-1 last week by Darlington Town.
They will be looking to have some of their absentees back tomorrow when they take-on Maryport Athletic from the County League in the quarter final of the Fred Conway County Cup.
The winners will entertain the holders Workington Reds in the semi-final.
