Workington Reds face their stiffest test of the new season when they travel to Ashton United.
Their hosts are fifth in the table, unbeaten after four games, but strangely still to win at home.
They have been successful in both their away games but both matches at home have been drawn, including Tuesday’s 0-0 stalemate with Bamber Bridge.
Reds will go into the game full of confidence after gaining momentum through Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Prescot Cables.
It was a high octane, hard-working performance epitomised by Preston loanee Kaedyn Kamara who topped an eye-catching display with a fine goal.
Reds will have to go into the game without their skipper, and last season’s top scorer Dav Symington, but otherwise it should be a similar squad.
That mid-week win catapulted Reds up to the top half of the table and Fell will be looking for more consolidation and an eventual push forward from there.
In the Northern League Carlisle City are the only one of the three county sides involved in domestic action.
They have a tough-looking home game against high-flying Boro Rangers, and Dan Kirkup has one or two key players missing through injury or unavailability.
“It didn’t help that we originally thought we would be on a free week because we are exempt for this early round of the FA Vase,” said manager Dan Kirkup.
The Sky Blues drew 1-1 with Guisborough in mid-week but have moved up to fourth in the table just in front of Penrith.
Tomorrow, though, the Bonny Blues and Kendal Town are in FA Vase action with both on the road.
Kendal, in particular, should be looking to make progress as they visit Tow Law Town who sit bottom of the Northern League without a point.
But the Mintcakes haven’t set the Northern League alight since their lateral move from the North West Counties and could do with a morale-boosting convincing victory.
They go into the game on the back of a 2-1 derby defeat to Carlisle City; a last gasp 3-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Newcastle Benfield and Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Birtley Town.
Penrith were beaten 1-0 at Marske on Tuesday and also suffered stoppage time heartache in the FA Cup to Crook Town.
They travel to Ilkley Town who lie third in the North East Counties First Division having won four of their six games to date and lost the other two.
The clubs last met three years ago in the same competition with Penrith earning a 2-1 win.
There was an interesting comment from the team manager Sam Dexter on the club website.
He said: “We know the match will be a challenge. Teams from Cumbria are notoriously tough to play against and I’m sure this weekend will be no different. It’s a free hit for us and we will be doing everything to come away with the win.”
Opposite number Darren Edmondson has one or two players unavailable but after the disappointment of the FA Cup defeat on Saturday, wants to progress in this competition.
In the West Lancashire League Cleator Moor Celtic earned the bragging rights in west Cumbria when they beat Whitehaven 2-0 in mid-week.
It was Celtic’s first win of the season and the first under new manager Gareth Agnew.
Typically it was a hard-fought battle and wasn’t settled until the last 10 minutes.
Luke Close put Celtic ahead on 80 minutes from the penalty spot and Josh Charlton clinched the points with a 90th minute second.
Both teams are away tomorrow with Celtic travelling to Coppull and Whitehaven on their way to Burscough Richmond.
Celtic are third bottom and hosts Coppull are just below them on goal difference so one that the Cumbrians will be fancying their chances.
Whitehaven are one place better than Celtic and have the tougher looking test as their Burscough hosts are fourth top.
Windscale don’t have a game in the Wearside League but Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Darlington RA confirmed their third place.
They are back at home on Wednesday against Farringdon Detached.
