WARRINGTON Rylands visit Workington on Saturday in a gargantuan clash between the Northern Premier League West Division’s top two.
It is a game that will be billed as a “title decider,” with the result set to go a long way towards deciding who finishes in the division’s only automatic promotion spot.
Here’s a look at how things stand heading into the game…
THE TABLE
Blues go into the game one point ahead of their hosts, who closed the gap with a 4-0 win over Bootle in midweek.
Workington still have a game in hand on Rylands, but Dave McNabb’s side know a victory in Cumbria will keep their fate in their own hands regardless.
Anything else, however, would put control back in Workington’s hands and a loss on Saturday could result in them being five points adrift with their title hopes effectively over by the time they next play on Easter Monday.
Both sides are assured of a play-off place at worst, and victory for either would also guarantee home advantage in any play-off semi-final if fourth-placed Leek Town drop points at home to Mossley.
The top of the NPL West Division as it stands
THE RUN-IN
Looking at the games both sides have remaining, you get the impression that the only result that really helps Rylands on Saturday is a win.
Beyond this weekend, they will have two games remaining – a tricky trip to 1874 Northwich on Easter Monday before finishing the season at home to Bootle on April 23.
The fixtures that remain for both Rylands and Workington
Workington travel to third-place Marine on Easter Saturday but finish the season with games against the relegated pair of Kendal Town and Market Drayton Town, who have won only five games between them all season.
While unexpected results are not uncommon at this stage, the Reds will be heavy favourites to win both of those games, making it critical that Rylands put themselves in as advantageous a position as they can.
THE FORM
As you would expect, both sides lead the division in terms of form shown over the past 10 games.
Rylands are flying having won nine of those, including each of the past eight. Their last defeat came all the way back in January – a 1-0 reverse away at Kidsgrove.
Workington are just behind them having taken 23 points from the past 30 available.
They have conceded just one goal in the past five games and boast the division’s best defensive record having conceded just 23 times in their 34 games.
However, they come up against what is by far the league’s most potent attack, with Blues having netted 91 goals in their 35 league games.
THE LAST MEETING
Workington may have only lost three times this season, but one of those was when they made the trip to Gorsey Lane in October.
They arrived with an unbeaten league record but left having lost 2-1 thanks to goals from Owen Robinson, who has since returned to parent club AFC Fylde after an impressive loan spell, and leading marksman Kane Drummond.
> Click here to see how we reported on the game
Owen Robinson celebrates scoring against Workington in October. Picture by Mark Percy
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here