Kendal Town are the first of the county’s non-league sides into action this weekend when they travel to West Allotment Celtic.
The Mintcakes have just hit a sticky patch after an excellent start to the Northern League season.
But manager Matt Flynn has announced a new signing ahead of the trip to the North East after recent injury absences.
Defender Regan Crossleyn joins after spending two seasons with Squires Gate and goes straight into the squad for tonight’s game.
Flynn said: “Regan brings solidness and experience to the back. He’s a good defender, that likes to defend. He had an unfortunate injury, and for some reason, things didn’t fall back into place for him – but I’m pleased to have him on board.
“The thing I love about Regan is that he has a point to prove and that will drive him on and help the team.”
Kendal have dropped to ninth while an improving Celtic have climbed to 11th – and neither side has drawn in the16 league games they have played so far.
Carlisle City return to Gillford Park tomorrow after Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw against Birtley Town.
Both goals came in the first five minutes of the second half. Jordan Irving put City ahead on 47 minutes and two minutes later Jake Stafford levelled for the visitors.
Tomorrow’s visitors are Whickham, currently bottom of the table, so with his side bang mid-table in 10th City boss Dan Kirkup will be expecting, and probably be demanding three points from his side.
There’s a big game in prospect for Penrith as they entertain Guisborough Town, who are currently second in the table four points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
Penrith are 13th some ten points behind their visitors, and from two more games.
But manager Jim Nichols knows his side should be higher.
All too frequently they have led in games only to be pegged back or overtaken by late goals.
Along with Birtley Town and bottom side Whickham they have four draws, the most in the league and which is almost half of the Bonny Blues’ fixtures.
In the NW Counties Division One North Holker Old Boys have more opposition from Ashton.
After beating bottom side Ashton Athletic last week they now entertain Ashton Town who are currently mid-table.
The Old Boys sit in fifth place at the moment, the final play-off place, five points behind leaders Droylsden with a game in hand.
Windscale got their winning form back in midweek when they beat Richmond Town 2-1 at the Falcon Complex.
That had followed a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to South Moor, which in turn had come after four straight wins, three of them away from home.
Manager Steve Fawcett will be hoping their away form stays because it’s the toughest test ahead of them tomorrow when they travel to leaders Gateshead Leam Rangers.
They have only lost once in nine outings and are seven points better off than the Atoms but from a game more.
In the West Lancashire League Premier Division there was a 7-1 defeat at Lostock St Gerards for Millom last week.
Dave Allan’s side had several players missing through a wedding and injuries, and had to give a debut to 16-year-old keeper Brodie Shaw who he said ‘deserved massive credit’.
Allan added: “With so many absences it wasn’t going to be our day but I’ve got no doubts in my mind that we will react on Saturday at home to last season’s champions Tempest United with players back.”
Overall, though, Allan is delighted with how the team has performed since promotion.
He joined the club’s coaching team back in February 2023 and has been assisted by local favourites Carl Waters and Stuart Pattinson while he has been first team manager.
Allan says: “One of the aims is to stay in the Premier Division. It’s a league we’re never been in so to start the way we have, I’m really pleased with that.
“We’re certainly not in the league to make up the numbers.”
They lie fifth but have a game in hand over all the teams above them and still very much in touch.
A win in the game in hand, would put them level on points with the team lying second.
Millom were promoted as champions of Division One last season, racking up 74 points and nearly 100 goals in 2024/25.
“It had been 35 years since a league title had been won here and it was definitely the most successful season I’ve had in football.
“I’ve tried to get us to play good football, playing on the floor.
“Every player apart from two scored last season and Ben MacDonald and Jamie Pattinson scored nearly 50 goals between them.
“We’ve missed Jamie through injury but last season he and the rest of the team were incredible, keeping possession and playing great football.
“We’re a small community but we have four senior teams, a walking football team and the junior set-up too which go right from under 8s to under 16s so considering the area we’re in, we do really well.”
In contrast to Millom’s start to the season Milnthorpe Corinthians only picked up their first point of the season last week, drawing 3-3 with Coppull United.
Tomorrow they have another home game, this time with CMB.
In fact all four Cumbrian clubs are at home tomorrow with Whitehaven hosting Burscough Richmond and Cleator Moor Celtic entertaining Haslingden St Mary’s.
In the NPL Premier Division Workington have no game after being knocked-out of the FA Cup by Stalybridge Celtic.
Reds boss Darren Edmondson hopes that Hebburn don’t draw at Curzon Ashton tomorrow which would mean Tuesday’s league game against Workington would be postponed.
