Three games stand out in the weekend’s non-league fixtures in Cumbria.
Top of the bill is the FA Trophy tie at Borough Park where Workington Reds host FC United of Manchester.
Last month the two sides played-out a cracking 0-0 in the NPL Premier Division after FC United arrived in West Cumbria as league leaders.
It was an excellent performance by Reds but they haven’t matched it since with defeats against Hebburn and Ilkeston away, wgile sandwicked in between was a home draw with Prescot.
But tomorrow’s visitors haven’t been pulling up trees since their last visit and have slipped down the table to fifth.
They lost at Prescot 1-0 last week and were beaten at home in the FA Cup by Chadderton.
Reds boss Darren Edmondson has indicated there will be changes including a possible second debut for Greg McCarragher who has recently re-signed for the club.
The second big county game is at Frenchfield where Penrith entertain Carlisle City in the Northern League.
City are tenth, one place and two points better off than their hosts but have played two more games.
They go into the game after differing performances and results last week – City lost 1-0 at home to Thornaby while Penrith were impressive 6-1 winners at Crook Town.
City, of course, beat Penrith narrowly in last season’s County Cup final which will add to the rivalry tomorrow afternoon.
The third big game is in the West Lancashire League’s Richardson Cup with Cleator Moor Celtic at home to local riuvals Whitehaven.
The Celtic have been putting together a series of decent results lately and on form will start favourites.
But that goes out the window for local derby clashes and earlier in the season at the County Ground Whitehaven were 5-1 winners when Celtic clearly lost their discipline and finished with nine players after two red cards.
Manager Gareth Agnew wasn’t at that game and his Celtic side let him down badly, something they are unlikely to repeat tomorrow.
Jon Karl Benson has made it clear that the league is his sole target this season, making sure they stay in the Premier Division.
His Whitehaven team has never started with the same 11 players so far and that trend will continue for the derby clash.
Of course there are other important games for our Cumbrian non-league sides.
Back to the Northern League where Kendal Town climbed into the play-off positions (4th) with a fine 2-0 win at Easington Colliery on Wednesday.
First half goals from Regan Crossley (8) and skipper Bailey Kenny (42) proved decisive.
Easington away last season had been one of Kendal’s toughest fixtures on their travels so it was good to bring home the three points.
The Mintcakes are back at home tomorrow against West Auckland who are ninth and six points behind but from a game more.
In the West Lancashire League the two other Cumbrian sides are also involved in Richardson Cup action, away from home.
Millom will be expecting to get their winning form back at Appleby Bridge but Milnthorpe Corinthians have a tough trip ahead to Haslingden St. Mary’s.
In the North West Counties Holker Old Boys travel to Squire’s Gate who are fifth bottom with two wins and two draws from their first seven games in Division One North.
Windscale have slipped recently after a great run of results, but that is typical of a team with an influx of new, young players. Inconsistency goes with the territory.
They have an opportunity tomorrow to get back on track at home to Brandon United who have won two and drawn three of their first 12 league games.
