Rylands benefit despite no game

A TEAM that wasn’t in action benefited most from the Easter Saturday results in the NPL West Division.

A week on from being held by title rivals Workington, Warrington Rylands could only look on in hope as the Reds travelled to Marine for their game in hand, knowing a win would put them in the box seat with two to play.

But Marine, who have slipped out of the running in recent weeks after a solid first half to the season, beat Workington 2-1 to ensure Rylands remain top and favourites to win the title.

Workington’s last two games are against the bottom two, the already relegated Kendal Town and Market Drayton Town, while Rylands face 1874 Northwich and Bootle.

It was a timely win for Marine, particularly as they look to stave off the threat of Leek Town and secure a home play-off semi-final.

They face Leek, who are guaranteed a play-off place, on the final day of the season.

The final place in the

West Division play-offs is between Runcorn Linnets and Clitheroe, who both won 2-0, against Leek Town and Glossop North End respectively.

Linnets have a five point lead over Clitheroe, so can secure their play-off berth with a win at Prescot Cables on Monday.

Cables, not in action on Saturday, will have one eye looking over their shoulder after Newcastle Town recorded a 1-0 win away at City of Liverpool.

That brings them within three points of Prescot, with Glossop only a point further ahead, in the race to avoid a potential play-off with a Step 5 side.

West Division run-in

Warrington Rylands 81pts – 1874 Northwich (A), Bootle (H)

Workington 80pts - Kendal Town (H), Market Drayton Town (A)

Marine 77pts - Bootle (A), Leek Town (H) Leek Town 75pts Kidsgrove Athletic (H), Marine (A)

Runcorn Linnets 72pts - Prescot Cables (A), Colne (H)

Clitheroe 67pts

- Colne (A), Ramsbottom Utd (H) Glossop North End 40pts - Mossley (H), Kidsgrove Athletic (A) Prescot Cables 39pts - Runcorn Linnets (H), City of Liverpool (A) Newcastle Town 36pts -20 - Market Drayton Town (H), Trafford (A)