A PRE-CHRISTMAS cracker is promised on the local non-League football front tomorrow afternoon when Marine host Chester FC.

The match at the Arriva Stadium could well have significant implications on both clubs’ ambitions to win promotion from the Evo-Stik League’s Premier Division.

Neil Young’s Chester side are currently leading the way in the division having accrued 48 points from their 21 matches to date.

Meanwhile, Kevin Lynch’s Mariners have enjoyed a mainly positive campaign thus far and lie sixth in the table, just a couple of points outside the play-offs zone.

And Lynch is certainly happy with his side’s form of late ahead of what is sure to be a tough test.

He said: “I feel that we have become hard to beat.

“Last Saturday was our third 1-0 victory away from home on the run. The lads have worked very hard to get the goal but have worked equally as hard to keep the clean sheet.”

Elsewhere, Burscough, who have endured a miserable season and lie bottom will be chasing three much-needed points at Chasetown.

IN the Evo-Stik League’s First Division North, Skelmersdale United will be looking to build on last week’s win at Warrington Town when they host Garforth Town. Tommy Lawson’s Skem are second in the table on goal difference to leaders Curzon Ashton, but the Manchester outfit have five games in hand so a win is imperative for the West Lancashire team.

Meantime, mid-table Warrington will hope to bounce back from the defeat to Skem when they entertain fourth-placed Lancaster City. Elsewhere, Prescot Cables will be aiming to stay on the right track at Harrogate Railway Athletic while bottom side Cammell Laird will be keen to claim a morale-boosting victory at home to Wakefield.

LIAM WATSON’S Southport have a tough nut to crack open tomorrow at Haig Avenue where Mansfield Town are the visitors.

The Sandgrounders have enjoyed a super season so far, surpassing all expectations for this stage of the campaign in the Blue Square Bet League’s Premier Division.

Fourth place, six points behind leaders Wrexham tells its own story.

But visitors Mansfield have themselves a good record to date and have actually lost two games fewer than Southport. It’s drawn matches – 10 thus far – that have stalled the Stags’ progress up the division as they currently lie 10th.

IN the Blue Square Bet League’s First Division, Vauxhall Motors face their hardest game to date when they visit leaders Hyde FC.

LEADERS Bootle entertain sixth-placed AFC Blackpool tomorrow in the North West Counties League’s Premier Division with boss Chris O’Brien in buoyant mood with things both on and off the pitch.

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Runcorn Town visit mid-table Alsager Town, Runcorn Linnets entertain Silsden, St Helens Town go to Bacup Borough while second-bottom AFC Liverpool host Padiham.

IN the North West Counties League’s First Division, Formby and Cheadle Town meet at Altcar Road.