ATHERTON Town go into tomorrow's home Finnair Manchester League Premier meeting with Springhead having never been better placed to clinch the much coveted championship title.

Town sit second in the table, one point behind leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs, boosted even further in midweek when one major rival East Manchester lost ground in a 3-1 shock home defeat by Mitchell Shackleton.

Champions for the past two seasons Stand Athletic, however, still pose an ominous threat having won 4-1 at Monton Amateurs but they have a gruelling season run-in having still played three games less than Town.

With last Saturday's complete playing schedule washed out, the excitement is building for tomorrow's return to action. All Town manager Shaun Lynch and his side can do is keep winning and look to extend an incredible run which has not seen a defeat blemishing the record for the last 15 games.

Complacency and over-confidence have to be guarded against especially against the like of tomorrow,s opponents at Howe Bridge who are in neither the title chase nor the relegation scrap.

The fixture has a worrying 'banana skin' look about it and Lynch's prime task will be to ensure his players yet again display those determined and proud characteristics which have already elevated them to such a strong challenging position.

Neighbours Pennington, however, have a battle on their hands of a different nature as they sit bottom of the table on goal difference from Stockport Georgians. Tomorrow Steve Cooney and his team face a real 'six pointer' away at third from last Failsworth Town.

Two local teams are also gunning strongly for the Division One title with Leigh Athletic, in their debut season in the Manchester League after last summer's switch from the Lancashire Amateur League, leading the way at the top of the table.

Latics start clear favourites in tomorrow's home clash with struggling Manchester Royal. Not out of the title reckoning yet are Peter Barry and his Hindsford side who face a searching away test at the division's form team of the moment, New Mills.

Further local success could come this season in the Reserves Divisions with the Atherton Town second team, currently second in Division Two, and travelling away to Mitchell Shackleton tomorrow and Leigh Athletic third in Division Three and looking forward to the short trip to Hindsford's Squires Lane.