Kirkham set for FA Vase challenge

Kirkham & Wesham's quest for Wembley takes centre-stage among the games featuring Lancashire's Vodkat League clubs this weekend.

Kirkham make the long trip to East Anglia to face Needham Market in Suffolk for the second-leg of their FA Vase semi-final tie. Kirkham hold a 3-2 advantage from last Saturday's home leg.

Mick Fuller's side are on a winning run that has seen them lose just once in 21 league and cup games.

The game will be featured on BBC Radio Lancashire Sport this Saturday. You will also be able to hear full commentary online at bbc.co.uk/lancashire.

Attention once again centres on the relegation battle involving Bacup Borough and Nelson.

With a win and a draw in their last two games, Bacup go into their game at home to Atherton Collieries knowing that a win will take them to within three points of the visitors, who currently sit fifth-from-bottom of table.

Nelson enjoyed a morale-boosting win on Easter Monday at Silsden, but face a difficult game away at Maine Road, who are eighth in the table.

Colne can do both of their neighbours a big favour if they can further damage Atherton LR's hopes of escaping the drop.

Colne's defeat at home to league leaders Trafford last week was their first in eight games, and they will start as big favourites against an LR side that has won just once in the last 13 games.

A quirk of fixture scheduling sees Squires Gate travel to face a Flixton side that they entertained at School Road only last weekend.

On that occasion, a 2-0 win secured the points and Gate go into the game looking for their fourth successive win.

Ramsbottom United play host to Formby at the Riverside, looking to avenge a 4-0 defeat that the Merseysiders inflicted when the teams last met in November.

In Division Two, Padiham return to action after a two week break with a tough test, as league leaders New Mills visit the Arbories.

Blackpool Mechanics, with just one win in six games, also face a difficult home game when promotion chasing Chadderton visit Jepson Way.

It is now six games without a win for Darwen, who will be looking to halt that run of form when they travel to the Potteries to face Norton United.

Fixtures:

FA Vase Semi-Final Second-Leg:
Needham Market (2) v Kirkham & Wesham (3)

Vodkat League Division One:
Atherton LR v Colne
Bacup Borough v Atherton Collieries
Flixton v Squires Gate
Maine Road v Nelson
Ramsbottom United v Formby

Vodkat League Division Two:
Blackpool Mechanics v Chadderton
Norton United v Darwen
Padiham v New Mills