Workington Reds start their FA Trophy challenge tomorrow at home to NPL Premier Division rivals Morpeth Town.
The Reds crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle to Hebburn Town and won’t want to do the same thing against other North East opposition.
With several key players rested last week, or given more time to recover from injuries, Reds beat Mirehouse 5-0 in the Fred Conway County Cup and manager Mark Fell should have a near full strength squad to pick from.
It’s the third qualifying round of the trophy and although not as lucrative as the FA Cup money on offer tomorrow is £2,450 for the winners while the losers receive £625.
Carlisle City welcome back former Cleator Moor Celtic duo Tom Mahone and Callum Birdsall for their Northern League trip to West Allotment Celtic.
Manager Dan Kirkup wasn’t duly in the dumps over Tuesday’s 5-0 home defeat to Redcar Athletic as he labelled them “the best team I’ve seen in 15 years in the Northern League.”
But he will expect a performance capable of picking up the points against a side who are third bottom.
Kendal Town shared the spoils in mid-week when they drew 1-1 at West Auckland and they are on the road again to Seaham Red Star who are second bottom with just two wins and two draws from 14 games.
Manager Jimmy Marshall sees this as an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and keep firmly in the play-off chase.
The third Northern League side, Penrith, are involved in Fred Conway County Cup action when they make the short trip to Kirkoswald.
Manager Darren Edmondson was encouraged buy the mid-week effort against high-flying Boro Rangers where they were narrowly beaten 1-0.
The County Cup game will be an opportunity to give more game time to players who have been coming back from injury lay-offs.
Carlisle City, Windscale, Cleator Moor Celtic and Workington Reds are already through and also due to play tomorrow are: Dearham United v Wetheriggs United; Silloth v Bransty Rangers; Wigton Harriers v Unisun Athletic and Eden Valley v Fellside United.
Keswick, Greystoke, Whitehaven AFC, Langwathby United, Aspatria and Maryport Athletic have byes while the outstanding tie – Carlisle United v Workington Juniors has been arranged for Wednesday, October 23.
In the North West Counties Northern Division joint leaders Holker Old Boys will expect to push their title claims when they visit bottom of the table Skelmersdale United who only have two points from 14 games – still looking for the elusive first win.
The West Lancashire League’s two west Cumbrian clubs are on the road with Cleator Moor Celtic travelling to Hurst Green while Whitehaven are at Rossendale.
After their narrow defeat to Wearside League leaders Durham Corinthians on Wednesday, Windscale hope to hit back tomorrow when they travel to Shotton Colliery.
