In a remarkable climax to the North West Counties League season four teams finished level on 80 points in the battle for the play-offs.
As it stands two clubs – Padiham and Kendal Town go through – but Chadderton and Prestwich Heys miss out.
But there’s a catch. Charnock Richard can still finish on 81 points – but they have four games to fit-in over the next few days.
They start tonight against Irlam. It is a home game but they have to play it at Burscough. They are back in action tomorrow night at Barnoldswick and on Thursday they are at Colne.
That still leaves a game on Saturday, again at Burscough, against Pilkington with the play-offs held until, basically, Charnock Riochard drop points. They have to win all four to finish fourth, in which case Padiham would be fifth and Kendal would miss out.
Charnock Richard are having to play their last two home games on neutral grounds because their own pitch is already undergoing drainage work.
Kendal would have secured fourth place if they had won at Burscough in their final game at the week-end but they only managed a 2-2 draw – and that after being 2-0 down.
Goals in the 52nd and 73rd minutes from James Bailey and Finley Lynch scrambled a draw for the Mintcakes so now they must wait for Charnock Richard’s results.
