HOLKER Old Boys boss Scott Redhead has not given up hope of a top-six finish.

The Stags, who sit seventh in North West Counties Division One, entertain Atherton LR at Rakesmoor Lane tomorrow looking for a reverse of fortunes after after suffering a 3-1 midweek defeat at second-placed Irlam in a match where John Paul Stanway netted.

Tomorrow sees the start of a crucial time for Holker, who play five games in eight days and a win over their lowly opponents can be just the spur Redhead’s side need to regather their momentum.

“We are still hanging in there,” said Redhead, with teams around Holker involved in big clashes.

“I think if we can pick up three wins we will sneak in, with Saturday being one of them against Atherton, who are second from bottom. It is not going to be a banker, but Saturday’s probably the strongest squad we have had out for a few weeks.”

On Tuesday in the West Lancashire League Premier Division, Vickerstown travelled to title-chasing Blackpool Wren Rovers, who were on the back of a 5-0 win over Charnock Richard and kept up their fantastic form with a 6-1 victory.

Dave Swarbrick gave Vickerstown brief hope with an eighth-minute equaliser, but that was as good as it got for Dave Round’s side.

They are at home to Euxton Villa tomorrow, while Crooklands Casuals face a tough trip to leaders Fulwood Amateurs.

Hawcoat Park kept their hopes of finishing as runners-up in Division One alive with a 2-0 win over GSK Ulverston Rangers thanks to a brace from Patrick Allington.

They are still fourth, but are now just a point behind Burscough Richmond and Ladybridge.

Hawcoat are at Tempest United tomorrow, while GSK entertain Haslingden St Mary’s at Canal Foot, but the big game in Division One is at Duddon Road, as Askam United host Dalton United.

Both sides are struggling at the bottom end of the table, although if rumours of league re-structuring are true, relegation may not be significant. Nothing is official yet, but talks will be held at the end of the season about splitting Divisions One and Two regionally as clubs in Lancashire baulk at the prospect of seven trips to Furness next season.

Even if changes are made, however, it is not certain if they will be implemented until the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

Whatever the future holds will be put to one side tomorrow, with both sides desperate to win, even if it is just for bragging rights.

There were two local derbies in Division Two in midweek, which saw wins for Furness Rovers and Furness Cavaliers.

Rovers moved up to fifth in the table with a 5-2 win at Millom and now look likely to finish highest of the local sides.

Jordan Chubb has enjoyed his return home on break from University in Cardiff. He scored a hat-trick against Millom to go with the goal he netted at CMB last Saturday. Other scorers for Rovers were Josh Jones and Steve Crompton, with Jamie Pattinson bagging both for Millom.

Cavaliers moved out of the bottom two with a 3-1 victory over Swarthmoor Social. Both sides created lots of chances on a very heavy pitch but it was goalless at half-time.

Dave Kewley broke the deadlock for Cavs and Ryan Rodgers made it 2-0 before Rikki Gallagher pulled a goal back for Swarthmoor. Cavs’ top-scorer Kyle Delves responded almost straight away to complete the scoring to leave Swarthmoor marooned at the foot of the table.

There are more derbies next week, with Askam United hosting Hawcoat Park and Furness Cavaliers at Millom, both on Tuesday night (6.45pm kick-offs).

In the FPL, there were a number of cup games played and on Monday both were settled by penalties.

In the Terry Clinton Memorial Trophy, Swarthmoor Social reserves beat Furness Rovers reserves 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw, and in the Horne Cup Vickerstown A beat Britannia reserves by the same score but after a 2-2 draw.

On Wednesday, Rovers suffered the same fate against Kirkby United in the Paul Wilson Memorial Trophy after staging a remarkable comeback.

Kirkby were leading 4-1 with five minutes left but Rovers got it back to 4-4 with the last kick of the game, only to lose the shootout 5-4.

The other Paul Wilson game played saw Holker Old Boys reserves win 3-1 at Britannia.

GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves completed the quartet of teams in the last four of the Furness Junior Cup by beating Millom reserves 3-2.

There were also three Riflemans Garage Premier Division games played. Haverigg United beat Bootle 2-0 and Swarthmoor Social reserves beat Askam United reserves 3-1, but the key game was at Park Vale as leaders Vickerstown reserves moved three points clear at the top with a 6-2 win over second-placed Hawcoat Park reserves.

Tomorrow the sides meet again, this time in the first Terry Clinton Memorial Trophy semi-final, with Barrow Celtic and Swarthmoor Social reserves meeting on the other semi next Wednesday.

Croftlands Park can clinch the Premier Tiles Division One title tomorrow. They need one point from their three remaining games to be mathematically certain of a second successive season as champions.