Barrow Town need 10 points to regain title.

With 6 games of the season left, and only Ibstock Utd of the top 6 to play, champions Barrow Town need 10 points to retain the title after the latest round of games. The Town notched another 3 points with an 0-3 away win at Ratby Sports after Scot McClennan became the 4th Barrow marksman in double figures and the defence remained unbreached for the 4th start on the spin, giving them an impressive 56 goal difference.

A fierce dog fight is expected for the other 2 sponsored places, Thurmaston Town currently occupy 2nd spot after a 1-0 defeat of Birstall Utd, who ended an unbeaten run of 10 that has taken them into a potential 3rd place finish if they win all their remaining games, one of which, a return with Thurmaston, whilst Thurmaston may have to eventually settle for 5th place.

On paper, Ibstock Utd look the likeliest candidate for 2nd spot but they have the most difficult of run ins, which includes home games against the top 6 teams of Barrow and Highfield Rangers and away games at Anstey Town and Birstall. Ibstock, beaten once in the last 15 starts and will regret their poor start to the season, made it 2 wins on the spin with a 1-2 victory at St Andrews.

Anstey Town, who drew 0-0 in midweek at Barrow may just capture 3rd spot, but dropped 2 valuable sponsored place points with a further 0-0 draw at Blaby and Whetstone Athletic.

Doubles from Paul Hughes and Joe Mensak helped last season?s runners up, Highfield Rangers, to a 2-5 away win at Aylestone Park, who replied with a goal in each half from Ash Wadie, but too many dropped points may mean that the Rangers finish in 6th spot.

Sileby Town consolidated a top half placement with a 0-2 away win at Downes Sports, who drop back into the bottom 2, and a double from Mark Broome helped Rothley Imps to their 2nd win of the week, after they won 1-2 at Ratby Sports in midweek, 1-3 at bottom placed Lutterworth Athletic, who look favourites to go straight back down after being promoted as champions last season.


Report supplied by Dave Lumley