Although losing ground along with others on the Northern League’s two leading clubs, Kendal Town are very much in the play-off hunt.
Manager Matt Flynn takes his team to Northallerton for a game he will have targeted for maximum points.
The signs are good as this will be the fourth meeting of the season between the pair and Kendal have won two, one of them after a draw in the FA Cup
Their hosts lie 17th of the 20 competing Division One teams, seven points above the bottom side with only six wins in their 25 games.
They did have a North Riding Senior Cup tie in midweek at Marske United to boost confidence although neither were at full strength.
Penrith are at home to Newcastle Benfield in a 12th v 14th clash as the Cumbrians lead their visitors by two points and from a game less.
Manager Jim Nichols is aiming for a top-half finish and will; be looking to turn frequent draws into three pointers.
The Bonny Blues have drawn nine so far and along with Birtley Town that’s the most in the League.
Carlisle City have to sit out the weekend as they have no scheduled fixture.
In the North West Counties Division One North Holker Old Boys travel to MSB Woolton who are up in fourth position, six points better off than the Cumbrians.
Although sitting in 11th, Holker do have five games in hand of their hosts and apart from Nelson have played fewer games than anyone else in the league.
In the West Lancashire League all four Cumbrian sides have matches, although Milnthorpe Corinthians are contesting the quarter final of the Westmorland County Cup against Wetheriggs.
Two of the leading sides will be in the county and looking forward to being in charge of his team for the first time Brian Dawson despite it being third-in-the-table Haslingden St Mary’s who are visiting the County Ground.
Dawson has been quietly recruiting since being handed the job and among his signings is an old face – George Frampton from Keswick who has returned to the club he left earlier in the season.
Lostock St Gerard’s are second in the table and to some Cumbrian observers are the best team in the league.
They visit Millom who hope to have some missing players back after last week’s 2-0 home defeat by Cleator Moor Celtic.
Celtic were good value for that win, which would have been more but for a stand-out performance by home keeper Ian Studholme.
Manager Gareth Agnew will expect another positive performance in the follow-up fixture at home to Astley and Buckshaw United, promoted last season but lying fourth bottom.
In the Wearside League Windscale will be at home in their first game since the Christmas/new year break. They have a visit from fifth-placed Willington.
