West Preview: Play-off race going to the wire

By James Gordon

The race for the EVO-STIK League West Division play-offs is more congested than ever before, with the top eight all still in with a mathematical chance of reaching the top five.

Atherton Collieries currently lead the way at the top and could win the title this weekend if they beat basement side Skelmersdale United and Radcliffe fall to a defeat away at Colwyn Bay, who have lost their last three in a row.

Runcorn Linnets, who are three points further adrift, can finish the day level with Boro with a victory over a Trafford side buoyed by their Integro Cup Final victory over Farsley Celtic.

Meanwhile, Leek Town will look to extend their three-game winning run against Clitheroe, while Kendal Town can confirm Skelmersdale’s relegation if they inflict a sixth defeat in a row on Newcastle Town and Skem fail to pick up at least a point.

Elsewhere in the race, Ramsbottom host a Mossley side that have picked up 17 points from their last 10 games on the road and sit on the fringes on the top five, while in-form Colne will look to pick up a sixth consecutive win away at Widnes FC.

Prescot Cables know that nothing less than a win will do in their bid for the play-offs. Having won their last two on the road, Brian Richardson’s side travel to The Scholars Ground to take on Chasetown.

In the final two games of the round, Droylsden will seek to end their four-game losing streak at home to Market Drayton, while Glossop North End will aim to build upon Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Newcastle Town with another home game, this time against 10th-placed Kidsgrove Athletic.

Words by James Messenger

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