Workington boss Mark Fell insists tonight’s first home game with Lancaster is about the players – and not the two managers.
The fixture quirk pits Fell against his former club who are now managed by an ex-Workington boss in Chris Willcock.
It will be Willcock’s first game back at Borough Park since he wasn’t re-engaged after taking Reds to runners-up spot in NPL West in 2021/22.
Fell spent almost five years at Lancaster before quitting midway through last season and led the Dolly Blues to top half finishes each time.
“I know people will reference my connection with Lancaster and Chris Willcock’s involvement with Workington but it isn’t about us.
“It will be about the players out there on the field and both teams trying to do their best,” said Fell.
He will have more to select from tonight after red-tape on Saturday left him with just four substitutes for the opening game at Guiseley.
Three players weren’t registered in time, and none of them was Workington’s fault.
However Ben Fell (on loan from Gateshead), Kayden Kamara (on loan from Preston) and Tyler Beck (former Macclesfield and Charnock Richard) should all be available for selection tonight.
While Workington were losing 2-0 at Guiseley, tonight’s opponents were beating Basford Utd 3-2 thanks to a 95th winner from ex-Reds player Jamie Mellen.
In the Northern League there will be much interest in the first county derby between Kendal Town and Carlisle City at Parkside Road.
Kendal dented Blyth Town’s winning start to the season on Saturday when they drew 1-1 in the North East.
For their part Carlisle City got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Northallerton when manager Dan Kirkup was back from a holiday when, during his absence, his side lost three times.
There’s a big game at Frenchfield where Penrith have Newcastle Benfield as their visitors.
Darren Edmondson has his Bonny Blues lying fourth, two points ahead of fifth-placed Benfield – so a keen, close contest is expected.
In the West Lancashire League Cleator Moor Celtic go in search of their first points of the season at Milnthorpe Corinthians.
Celtic are the only side without a point so far but the Corinthians are next to bottom with one point to their name.
Celtic will be encouraged by their performance on Saturday when they match League leaders CMB for long spells but were beaten 1-0 in the end.
Whitehaven don’t play tonight while in the Wearside League Windscale get the chance to make amends for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat by South Moor when they host Bishop Auckland reserves at the Falcon Complex tomorrow night.
Prior to that Windscale had sat top of the League’s Premier Division with four straight wins.
