CAMPION boss Lee Ashforth has labelled this weekend’s game at Ilkley Town as a “six-pointer” as both sides look to avoid the drop.

The NWCFL First Division table is beginning to take shape, with a cluster of sides lingering around the relegation zone.

Campion find themselves five places above the drop zone (12th), but only three points separate them and Altherton (17th), which further establishes the competitiveness of the division this season.

The Bradford side’s opposition this weekend, Ilkley, are only one point behind them (Campion) too (16th) and with both sides set to lock horns this weekend in an eye-catching local derby, perhaps their step-six futures are on the line.

Ahead of the crucial tie, responding to whether it’s hard not to avoid getting caught up in the drama of the league table, Campion boss Lee Ashforth said: “It’s very difficult at this stage because we are at the business end of the season and it has come a lot earlier than it would have done if we were in a normal campaign.

“Usually, you tend to get to Easter time and the table is beginning to take some shape, but because of the number of games we have played, it makes every game so important. We need to start picking up points and I’m sure Ilkley will be saying the exact same thing, that this is a six pointer.

“On Saturday, you’d think that if we win the game then we would be a step closer to being safe, but Ilkley will be thinking the same thing. We are constantly looking behind our shoulders at the moment.”

Ashforth added: “We went up to watch Ilkley a couple of weeks ago knowing that we had them coming up, so we know a bit about them.

“I know Simon (Armstrong) isn’t there anymore, but I know Sam (Dexter) their current boss, and he has done a very good job since coming in. We fully expect Ilkley to play the way they want to against us.

“They like to keep the ball on the floor, they’re full of energy and they have a number of good individual talents. Kevin Gonzalez is a player who we have been interested in, in the past.

“We need to approach this game with full commitment and concentration because it is a huge game for us, and we know what a victory could do for our season.”

Campion will be looking to make some positive strides this weekend, following a fairly substandard period in which they have lost their previous five fixtures, however the recent narrow 2-1 defeat to unbeaten Bury will have given Ashforth more optimism.

He said: “We can take a lot of positives from the Bury game. They are a great side and we showed we can compete with the best until the final whistle. We have shown that throughout the campaign, the only time we have been comfortably beaten was against Steeton. But we do need to start picking up wins.”

Ashforth added: “It’s hard to put our finger on why the wins aren’t coming at the minute. We have conceded too many goals this season and we are aware of that, but we’ve done very well at the other end. We are fortunate that our goal difference is better than the teams around us.

“Performances have been good, but we just can’t buy a win. We just need a bit of luck on our side and I’m confident we will be fine.”

The fixture between Ilkley Town and Campion will take place today (Saturday-3:00 PM) at the MPM Stadium.