The Holmen Iggesund Cumberland League season is building to a nice climax – and there’s a top Premier Division game to savour tonight.
League leaders Wath Brow A entertain a Cockermouth side challenging strongly for honours.
The Brow have already landed the E. B. Lamb Amateur Cup and are in the final of the Firpress Printers Cumberland Cup. They have designs on a full house.
Wath Brow coach Paul Farrell expects to be at full strength with key players coming back into the squad.
“These last two weeks are big with two important games which will decide the League winners.
“We have been treating each game as a final so nothing changes tonight and I know the lads will put in the extra effort which will be needed.
“Cockermouth beat us last time and they have some good players but we went with 15, including myself, and only lost late on,” he said.
Liam McAvoy, the Cockermouth player coach, said: “We have had three must-win games and have got through them to put us into a position where we can win the League, or get a share of it.
“But we all know it will be extra tough playing Wath Brow on their home pitch and I have had a couple of late cry-offs which has meant a re-shuffle.
“However to have got into this position towards the end of the season is great for everyone at the club.”
The other Premier Division game this week-end is tomorrow when Lowca entertain Maryport.
Lowca coach Lee Allen said: “It should be a very good competitive game as it always is against Maryport. They have had some good results as of late, so it’s a tough ask for us.
“But we will always give 100% no matter what team we field, looking to secure a top four place,”
Opposite number Mark Foster said: “Lowca are a good young side, well coach by Lee Allen and we are expecting a tough game.
“They came to Maryport and beat us in the last minute so we will be looking to turn the tables up there.
“We have a couple of lads having late fitness tests after knocks last week but two others, who were away on holiday, are back in contention.
In the First Division, Aspatria play their first game for six weeks at Flimby while Askam’s visit from Distington A will only be their second match in a similar period.
Such intervals between games are certainly not conducive to keen, enthusiastic squads – especially at this time of year.
Chris Broadley, the Askam coach, is expecting to have 17 available this week after travelling short to Flimby last week.
“I can’t fault the effort of the lads but the execution let us down. It was a good close game up at Distington we we are looking forward to something similar at our place.
“They were two, young exuberant sides last time and I don’t think much will have changed that way,” he said.
Mark Ridley, the Aspatria chairman is expecting a tough game against a Flimby side who will be bouncing after their big win over Askam last week.
“We have Tom Gardner at centre with Bobby Benson in the halves and the experienced James Robinson and Greg Rowley are on the bench,” he said.
Ricky Morrison, the Flimby coach said: “We have had some great arm wrestles with Aspatria this season and this one will be no different.
“We have become stronger as a team but it’s going to be a tough game with us having some of them missing this week-end.”
