Hartsholme ready to fight for the championship

Hartsholme have every opportunity of getting themselves in the thick of the Lincolnshire League title race when they take on leaders Alkbrough tomorrow.

Only four of the six teams chasing the Premier Division championship are in action in what is a truncated top-flight programme.

Undoubted game of the day will be in Lincoln, where Nathan Poundall's sixth-placed Hartsholme host Steve Clay's current leaders Alkborough.

Hartsholme will start this vital clash only 10 points behind their visitors, with 20 on offer for an outright win.

Recent leaders Cleethorpes 2nds – now fourth – journey to bottom side Broughton, while third-in-the-table Haxey are away to Stuart Fraser-Cattanach's Bracebridge Heath 2nds, who have been showing improving form in recent weeks.

Division One sees three local derby clashes – two in the north of the county and the other in the Lincoln area.

There's a tight promotion battle in prospect between Matt Spikings' Cherry Willingham and Martin Connor's Nettleham 2nds, while Neil Patrick's title-chasing Scunthorpe Town face what could well prove a difficult trip to Hirst Priory to take on Graham Oxley's Outcasts, who are now comfortably clear of the relegation zone after a poor start to the campaign.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said of Andy Clay's lowly Alkborough 2nds, who tomorrow host mid-table Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

Division two leaders Hykeham journey to Market Rasen, while second-in-the-table Louth 2nds host an Owmby team which have slipped down the table in recent weeks.

Lowly Keelby's home game with Cleethorpes 4ths might prove an interesting tussle, as will the encounter between relegation concerned sides Holton-le-Clay 2nds and Hartsholme 2nds.

Gary Mann's Division Three leaders Haxey 2nds have a home match with Cherry Willingham 2nds, who are only just above the danger zone.

So the closest encounter could well be at Hibaldstow, where Mel Oades' fourth-placed team host Ian Fletcher's second-in-the-table Outcasts 2nds.

Jeremy Evans' Barton Town 2nds, who are third, entertain Dave Gowshall's relegation-threatened Caistor 3rds.

Keelby 2nds – also needing points to stave off the threat of relegation – journey to Scunthorpe Town 2nds, who now appear safe from the drop.

However, even with a month to go in the season, there does not seem to be much at stake in the encounter between Immingham Blossom Way and Broughton – both comfortably mid-table.

In-form Division Four leaders Washingborough make the short drive to take on mid-table Hykeham 2nds, while Mick Barton's second-in-the-table Grimsby side Stamford Homes host Gainsborough side Morton.

South Kelsey 2nds' home game with Scunthorpe Town 3rds will be very important to both teams – Tony Potter's villagers are looking to step up their promotion bid, and Town are keen to ensure they do not again finish in the re-election zone.

The current bottom two both face away games tomorrow – Andy Richley's Market Rasen 2nds visiting Alford 2nds, while Lee Fielden's Brigg Town journey to Old Lincolnians, who still have a chance of making it into Division Three for 2010.

Sunday sees two very important matches.

In the Premier Division, there's a head-to-head between Dan Tolson's Cleethorpes 2nds and Lol Waghorn's South Kelsey 2nds at Chichester Road – both teams being in the thick of the battle to lift the coveted championship pennant.

Meanwhile – and not very far away – Augusta Street, Grimsby, will see the George Marshall Trophy between Premier Division Hartsholme and Division One Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

The Scunthorpe Steelmen are very much the surprise packet in the senior knockout competition this season, while the Lincoln team remain in with a decent chance of landing the top-flight title.

The showpiece final is kindly being hosted by Grimsby Town CC, and current secretary of the year Martin Fowler, to whom the league extends its grateful thanks.

Premier Division games start at 1pm. Matches in all other sections, and the cup final, get under way at 1.30pm.