There are currently six points separating 16th from 21st in the NPL Premier Division, and all six sides find themselves in action against each other this afternoon.
Workington have occupied bottom spot since mid-November, but the Reds can finally climb off it with a win over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Borough Park.
Both sides come into this one in the relegation zone, with Park Steels knowing that a win could see them climb out of danger.
As for Billy Barr’s side, while a third win in four games likely won’t see them out of the drop zone, barring a large goal difference swing, it could see them draw level with the sides directly outside.
Morpeth Town are also in the relegation zone, but are just three points behind their opponents this weekend, with Hyde United making the trip to Craik Park.
The Highwaymen have just one win in nine, as their winless run extended to six in midweek at Cleethorpes Town, whereas Hyde have just one win since they beat Morpeth at the Project Solar Stadium in November.
A win for Michael Clegg’s side would put a healthy buffer between themselves and their hosts, while a Morpeth victory would pull them closer to safety.
Rushall Olympic have a huge opportunity to increase their gap to the drop zone to as many as eight points this weekend when they travel to Prescot Cables.
Cables ended their four-game losing run at Hyde last weekend, and are looking to end a six-game winless run to draw level with the Pics and remove any danger of dropping into the relegation zone this weekend.
This fraught, tense weekend follows a similar one last Saturday when the bottom sides apart from the Reds were involved in a different permutation of fixtures – all ending in draws.
Hyde drew 2-2 with Prescot; Stockbridge and Morpeth shared the spoils 1-1 and Rushall drew 2-2 with Whitby.
As far as the Reds are concerned this afternoon’s opponents Stocksbridge Park Steels also had a change of management at the same time with Jordan Lemon succeeding Ian Richards at Bracken Moor after he moved to Guiseley.
Lemon was in temporary charge for the first meeting in South Yorkshire where a second half Kai Nugent goal secured a narrow Workington victory.
That win meant that Reds had drawn four and won two of their last six visits to Stocksbridge.
Of their previous visits to Borough Park Steels have won three, lost two and drawn two. Their last visit was 22 years ago.
What has been noticeable, though, has been Stocksbridge’s results on the road this season have been very good, better than at Bracken Moor. They have obtained 18 points on their travels compared to 13 picked up on home soil.
It’s a fact noticed by Reds boss Billy Barr who has acknowledged when he told Cumbria Crack: “When you look at their results they’ve beaten or drawn with some good teams. But we just have to concentrate on what we do.”
Steven Rigg will be an absentee after Tuesday’s knee operation and there will be a late assessment of Dav Symington after his injection earlier in the week. Charlie Barnes has one more match to serve of his suspension.
Stocksbridge finished a commendable third last season in Division One East and won promotion via the play-offs, overcoming Belper Town (2-1) and Dunston (on penalties).
