RAMSBOTTOM United joint manager Bernard Morley believes the pressure for promotion is still on Runcorn Town’s shoulders despite heading the North West Counties Premier Division table with just two games left.
The Rams will clinch promotion to the Evo-Stik League for the first time in their history if they win their final two matches, beginning with tomorrow’s trip to Ashton Athletic.
They remain one point clear of Runcorn, whose next game comes on Tuesday night when they travel to Barnoldswick Town.
“It’s a massive couple of games for us,” said Morley.
“It sounds so simple, but two more wins are we’re promoted.
“If we didn’t manage to win the league from this position, then we’d be very disappointed.
“But the lads are focused and excited. We’ve got a young team and they’re fearless, I don’t think they feel any pressure.
“In fact, I would still say the pressure is on Runcorn.
“They don’t have a game this weekend and it could be that they are four points behind us when they go to Barnoldswick – and that is probably the toughest place to get a result in this league.”
Barnoldswick face two home games in four days as they host Alsager Town tomorrow.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Bacup Borough entertain Stone Dominoes and Padiham travel to Bootle, while Nelson host Leek CSOB in the First Division.
Meanwhile, Chorley are guaranteed a home tie in the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off semi-finals – against either Hednesford of FC United – as the final set of league fixtures are fulfilled tomorrow.
If the Magpies beat Bradford Park Avenue, they will leapfrog the West Yorkshire club and finish third, one place behind Northwich, who are barred from entering the play-offs.
They would then host the league’s sixth-placed team in the play-off semi-final, but if they fail to beat Bradford, they would entertain the fifth-place side.
The semi-finals have been scheduled for Saturday, April 28, with the final taking place on Saturday, May 5.
Clitheroe finish their First Division North campaign away at champions AFC Fylde.
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