Whilst they currently lead the NWCFL Premier Division table, there are still around a third of the season to be played, and Ramsbottom United are well aware of the tough challenges they face if they are to maintain that spot and along with it, promotion back to the Northern Premier League, writes Tony Cunningham.

With the top side automatically promoted, the next four go into the play-offs to see who can clinch the second promotion position, and as with the season so far, there are bound to be some chopping and changing of positions as it looks as though six teams will be rolling up their sleeves in the chase for success.

The Rams are currently one point ahead of favourites Bury, having played a game less, and a further five points ahead of Chadderton, also having played a game less, but with two fixtures against the Oldham side still to be played.

In fifth place are West Didsbury & Chorlton. 12 points behind the Rams, with a game in hand. They have shot up the table having won six of their last seven league games, including stunning victories over Bury and Chadderton. Whilst the Rams won at their place, they have still to visit the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

Just outside that top six are Padiham, a team that the Rams convincingly beat at their Arbories ground 4-1 back in September, but they, too, have yet to visit Ramsbottom.

Tucked away in the middle of the chasing pack are Liverpool-based Lower Breck. They are the current in-form team, having won their last seven games in all competitions, and are the hosts of the Rams this coming Saturday.

The Rams make the journey on the back of a long unbeaten league run, but this is sure to be tested against a team with a number of Ramsbottom connections.

Coaches Lee Donafee and Warren Hemmingway are well known, being previously at The Riverside, and their squad also includes a number of players who have donned the blue shirt in recent times, including Owen Collinge, Tom Croughan, Michael Fitzgerald and Danny McKenna. So, an interesting contest awaits!

The Rams beat Lower Breck in the return fixture back in August, but many Ramsbottom fans will remember the bizarre game played at Lower Breck last season.

Having taken an early lead, it looked as though the Rams were about to run away with the game when they netted a second within the opening ten minutes.

Unfortunately, a calamitous error by the referee’s assistant chalked the goal off when he incorrectly waved for offside when a Ramsbottom player gathered the ball that had been headed to him by a Lower Breck defender.

That proved to be the turning point, as soon after, the Rams keeper was sent off for handling the ball outside his area, leaving the visitors with ten men and a slender one goal advantage instead of a two-goal cushion.

The team held out for the rest of the first half, but the pressure finally broke after the break leaving the Rams resistance in shatters and a final result of 5-2 to the home side. Heated discussions were the order of the day at the final whistle!

There may well be less controversy this time round, but a tough game for the league leaders awaits, as acknowledged by manager Steve Wilkes: “This is one of the toughest fixtures of the season and we know we’re playing a team bang in form having won their last seven games.

“I’m sure Breck will be thinking the same thing as well, so all-in-all it should be a great game. Both teams are playing well so it’s a game we’re looking forward to”.