John Philips says winning the Cumberland County League Division I title would be “icing on the cake” for Keswick men’s team.
With one league game of the season to go, Keswick top the table ahead of a clash with second placed Cockermouth this Saturday which will decide the championship title.
Cockermouth have led the way for many months with Keswick left to play catch-up after a string of weather-related postponements. But the Crosthwaite Park men have ploughed through a hectic end-of-term timetable in fine style.
On Saturday they won 2-1 at Bransty Rangers with Richard Bannister scoring and an own goal also counting for the visitors.
And a 5-0 victory away to bottom-of-the-table Whitehaven Miners Social Development on Tuesday evening saw unbeaten Keswick climb to the summit with one game remaining. Their scorers in that midweek game were Jamie Little two (including one penalty), Bannister two, and Brad Fearns.
Player-manager Philips understands the top two teams will gain promotion to the Premier Division for 2024-25 meaning Keswick and Cockermouth would both go up.
They meet at Cockermouth this weekend with Keswick – who have a one-point lead – knowing they will claim the title if they avoid a defeat to their hosts.
“It seems like a very, very long season,” said Philips. “We’ve done really well, had quite a lot of injuries, and have been chopping and changing the team.
“Lads have played out of position and we can’t fault them.
We couldn’t have asked for more from any of the players. Everybody has given 110 per cent. Winning the league would be the icing on the cake.”
Philips said his players were “raring to go” for the league shoot-out this weekend.
And even after that final whistle sounds, Keswick still have at least two more cup games remaining.
They host Cockermouth on Tuesday in a Divisional Cup semi-final, and have already booked their spot in the Whitehaven Cup final against Maryport Athletic. That showpiece game is due to be played at Egremont’s Falcon Ground on May 25.
