If the weather holds there should be a full programme of games in the Cumberland County League today to end the year.
Both the leading pair in the Premier Division have home games which they will expect to win – but might prove testing.
Leaders Maryport Athletic have responded well to their first defeat of the season – a 1-0 home loss to main rivals Unisun Athletic in the Fred Conway County Cup.
Since then they have gone to Unisun and spanked them 5-0 in the Benevolent Cup and followed-up with a 4-2 win at in-form Workington Juniors in the Conway Cup.
Keswick would have expected to do better than they have done so far – one win and two draws in seven Premier Division games. But as manager John Phillips points out they have not been able to field the same team in successive games so far.
Andy Frampton and assistant manager Jamie Little are the only notable absentees for the game at Milltoft.
Unisun Athletic complete the year with a home fixture against Whitehaven Miners Social, a side who can mix it with the best on their day as four wins in five League games suggests.
Mirehouse have also lost only once and they will expect to keep up their challenge with a home win against bottom side Cleator Moor Celtic.
With both their nearest rivals not playing Division One leaders Northbank will be looking to extend their advantage with a win at Silloth.
But their hosts are much improved from last season and are currently fourth so this is unlikely to be the walk in the park it might once have been considered,
Fixtures
- Premier Division: Maryport Athletic v Keswick; Mirehouse v Cleator Moor Celtic reserves; Unisun Athletic v Whitehaven Miners Social; Wigton Harriers v Cockermouth.
- Division One: Bransty Rangers v Whitehaven reserves; Cockermouth reserves v Carlisle City Development; Silloth v Northbank; Unisun Development v Whitehaven Miners Development.
- Benevolent Cup: Aspatria v Workington Juniors.
