West Cumbria’s two teams in the West Lancashire League are preparing for double headers over Easter.
Both Cleator Moor Celtic and Whitehaven have matches on Saturday and Monday to stretch their resources.
That is particularly try of Whitehaven, who have struggled most of the season with availabilities, which has contributed to their position at the foot of the table.
They haven’t been blessed with the best of Easter programmes, either, as they have to travel for both, which seems a particularly harsh decision.
It’s a relatively short trip on Saturday to play south Cumbrians Milnthorpe Corinthians and then on Monday must visit Burscough Richmond.
Manager Brian Dawson said: “It isn’t ideal, playing two away games especially with lots of players unavailable.
“We have, however, been strengthened by the availability of several Reds Under-18s who will be joining us for the remainder of the season now their league has finished.”
Celtic have a tough test on Saturday when they travel to Haslingden St Mary’s who were in the top three for most of the season until recently when they have not played many league games.
On Monday they have a home game against Milnthorpe – so two Cumbrian derby games over Easter for the Corinthians.
Celtic manager Gareth Agnew is happy with a full squad of 18 for both games and a decent performance against leaders Eagley wasn’t match by the 4-1 result after taking the lead.
Giving away sloppy goals has been the reason for reason disappointing results and something he has been working on with his players.
It’s the start of a busy week for Milnthorpe as they will be chasing silverware in their next two games.
On Wednesday they entertain Pause United, currently third in Division One, in the quarter finals of the President’s Cup while on Friday night they take on Appleby in the final of the Westmorland County Cup at Parkside Road, home of Kendal Town.
Millom have only one Easter game and that’s on Saturday when they visit Tempest United.
The big news for Millom at the moment is that their sharpshooter Ben Macdonald is the leading goal-scorer in the Premier Division.
He has netted 19 times and is ahead of Charlie Ridge (Haslingden St Mary’s) 18, Tyler Hallam (Poulton) and Finlay Stafford (Eagley) both 17.
