Premier Preview: Brig aim to jump out of relegation zone

With Mickleover Sports having a Saturday off following North Ferriby’s demise, Brig have the chance to jump out of the bottom three after curbing their eight-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory away at Hyde United last time around.

Workington are seven points further behind Mick Taylor’s side and in desperate need of a victory to keep up their hopes of avoiding the drop. The Reds take on Buxton FC, who were held by Marine last time out and are two points adrift of the play-off places.

At the other end of the table, Farsley Celtic will look to bounce back from their surprising midweek defeat to Trafford in the Integro League Cup Final at home to Hyde, while South Shields visit a Stafford Rangers side with four draws in their last five games at Marston Road.

Having picked up a fourth consecutive win last weekend, Warrington visit a Stalybridge side with eight defeats in their last nine. Nevertheless, the Yellows are still reliant on Farsley and Shields dropping points in their remaining games if they are to finish top of the league.

Nantwich Town have the chance to book their play-off spot this weekend with a win over Lancaster, who are unbeaten in their last seven. The Dabbers suffered defeat in their last game two weeks ago, so will be looking to bounce back against the Blues.

Meanwhile, Gainsborough will seek to extend their recent good form as they kick off the Easter weekend against Hednesford, who have lost seven of their previous 10 games on the road. Trinity have Buxton, Scarborough, Basford and Witton waiting to pounce on any slip-ups, so cannot afford to drop points with just three games left.

The four in the chasing pack are all at home, with Basford welcoming relegation-threatened Marine to Greenwich Avenue and Scarborough hosting a Grantham side winless in their last eight matches.

In the final game of the round, Witton will look to keep their faint play-off hopes alive at home to Whitby Town, who have seen their recent good form curtailed by back-to-back losses.

Words by James Messenger