AS the football season’s conclusion draws in, promotion and relegation issues continue.
Witton Albion have an eye on both fronts, 1874 Northwich’s sights are on the play-offs, Winsford United have a league title in their own destiny and Barnton are looking to keep the wolves from the door.
Northwich Victoria are probably the only one of our senior sides without any such high stakes still to be settled.
Witton head to Clitheroe in Northern Premier League West on Saturday sat in 12th place, seven points clear of relegation and 11 points adrift of the play-offs places.
They go there on the back of a point earned in a 1-1 draw at Bootle last time out.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I thought it was a fair result at Bootle,” said Albion manager Ben Harrison.
“We said it was the sort of point we needed to pick up along the season.
“Even though I want to win, and I’ll never be fully happy with a draw, it is nice to pick up something from a tight game.
“Eleven games we’ve lost this year have been lost by the odd goal.
“Everyone wants a play-off push and we speak about it, but we’ve also got to be conscious we don’t get dragged down in it.
“The lads don’t talk about that, we’re positive, we look forward, but subconsciously sometimes you know what you need to do and it did feel a bit like that at Bootle. The effort was there and it was a good point.”
After a blank weekend, 1874 Northwich return to action on Saturday at home to a side who hammered them 5-1 last time out – Atherstone Town.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thanks to their current form, Atherstone have climbed above 1874 into third but Chris Herbert’s side remain in the fifth play-off place currently 10 points clear of Whitchurch Alport, who have two games in hand.
Kick-off at Townfield on Saturday is 3pm.
Northwich Victoria will be looking to make it five wins from seven when they host Dudley Town at Barton Stadium in Winsford on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Vics are 13th in the Midland League Premier Division, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and 23 adrift of the play-off spots with games in hand on most clubs – one of which will be clawed back when they visit Atherstone on Tuesday night.
Winsford United continue to have the North West Counties Football League First Division South title in their own hands, being six points clear of Stafford Town at the top of the table.
ADVERTISEMENT
They host second-from-bottom Shawbury United at Barton Stadium on Friday night, kick-off 8pm.
In the same division, Barnton have only three games left in which to keep the sides below them at arm’s length.
They head to Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday six points clear of the relegation zone.
