Carlisle City have the chance to top the Northern League First Division if they win tonight.
Dan Kirkup takes his side to West Allotment Celtic – and they couldn’t be in better heart.
They went second in the table with Tuesday’s excellent 3-1 home win over Boro Rangers, who made the play-offs last season.
Joint leaders Guisborough, who are a point better off but from a game less, visit West Auckland on Saturday.
The other side at the top Newcastle Benfield shade it on goal difference and tomorrow they visit Whitley Bay.
Kirkup said: “It was really pleasing to beat a side who will be up there at the end of the season.
“It was probably the best team performance since I took over as manager.
“What we have to do now is back it up with the same energetic performance at West Allotment.”
Penrith are at home tomorrow to Whickham who have only a point to show for their efforts so far, but they have only played once.
There is not much doubt Penrith would be much higher than their current 15th if they had not thrown away leads.
They have been ahead fairly late in all their games but proceeded to draw the first two in the League; lost in the FA Cup and were then beaten on Tuesday by Whitley Bay.
“It’s been so frustrating because we have got ourselves into positions to win all the games but have then conceded late goals.
“In all the games we’ve played we’ve only been behind for about 20 minutes.
“We have probably not got the points we have deserved but that’s football and we have to go out there and put things right.
“We have two home games coming up with Whickham and Thornaby so we will be looking to turn things around,” said manager Jim Nichols.
The third Cumbrian side in Division One, Kendal Town, have had a week to prepare for Saturday.
Their scheduled opponents Guisborough, joint League leaders, were involved in an FA Cup replay which they won 2-0 at Consett.
Tomorrow they entertain Crook Town the only side in the competition without a point, and who have conceded eight goals in two games.
Kendal boss Matt Flynn should have a very good idea of what to expect as the Mintcakes won 3-1 there on Saturday in the FA Cup.
They will be on the road again in the Cup next Saturday after Northallerton beat West Allotment Celtic 3-0 in mid-week.
But first things first for Flynn and his men as they host Crook and then face a tough county derby at Carlisle City.
Flynn said: “The biggest thing for me at Crook was the character the team showed after they had equalised and we were under the cosh.
“I was really proud of the way they coped with that and how they came back strongly to win it.”
