With the Premier Division title all but settled, the focus in the Baris Northern Counties East League this weekend will be on Division One leaders Albion Sports’ home clash with second-placed Athersley Recreation.

Albion, who will be fresh after a free midweek, know that a victory would not only see them almost certain of promotion but also a step closer to landing the title.

Kulwinder Sandhu’s men have a slender one-point advantage over their visitors but also have a game in hand.

And following third-placed Cleethorpes Town’s midweek stalemate at Hallam, Albion are now just one win away from guaranteeing the top-two finish which would mean promotion to the top tier.

But just doing enough is not the Sports way, so they will look to bank three points at Athersley’s expense to leave them three games left to wrap up the championship.

Neighbours Eccleshill United travel to second-bottom Yorkshire Amateurs. The Eagles had been in superb form under Bobby Davidson but the extreme winter has led to a hectic end-of-season run-in.

Eccleshill have taken just one point from three home games in the space of five days. They were beaten at home last Saturday by Cleethorpes, lost again on Monday and could only manage a draw last night.

In the Premier Division, Brighouse Town are now six points off the pace but remain in second place and have a game in hand.

However, last Saturday’s home defeat to leaders Scarborough Athletic effectively handed their rivals the title.

Town won away last night, and will endeavour to pick up points on the road again on Saturday when they head to Barton Town Old Boys, but know the Seadogs will have to lose both their remaining games to be denied.

Mid-table Thackley host basement outfit Arnold Town on the back of a fine midweek win. The Dennyboys will be buoyant after thrashing Scarborough 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Liversedge host Winterton Rangers in the other fixture with local interest.

Relegation-threatened Silsden, who lost at home to Winsford United in midweek, host mid-table AFC Blackpool in the North West Counties League Premier Division.