Toolstation NCEL Division One
Joint manager Lee Ashforth insists there is still a long way to go in the NCEL Division One title race despite his Campion side’s huge 13-point lead at the top.
The gladiatorial battle with challengers Harrogate Railway looms tomorrow, presenting Campion with an opportunity to move closer to glory.
Although 16 games are remaining, Campion appear on course because of their impregnable record and rather than dodge the question regarding how many points will it take to lift the crown, Ashforth hit it on head-on.
“It is really difficult (to say how many more wins are needed) and it is not about not answering (the question),” Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire.
“The issue we have got is Rossington and Harrogate are not going away.
“Every time we win they are rarely slipping up.
“The fact is we’re in an unbelievable position.
“There’s no denying that and we would be daft to say anything different.
“We’re 13 points clear but we’re still looking over our shoulders because a couple of bad results (will change things).
“It is still not over and we’re drilling that into the players.
“We have told them not to get complacent and to keep ticking the wins off.
“Normally in a league you’re looking at between 80 and 85 points to win the league but you look at this league and I think it is going to have to be more than that.
“You’re looking at 90+ points if everyone keeps winning. That has to be our target.”
Railway have to go for broke tomorrow as defeat would leave them 17 points adrift of the runaway leaders.
Ashforth added: “I think the pressure is probably a little more on them to win because the position we are in and how many points clear we are.
“But they have only conceded 13 goals all season.
“They conceded three against us but they had their goalkeeper sent off so I’m sure it is a game Mick (O’Connell) will look back and think if the ‘keeper hadn’t been sent off, would they have won that game?
“I’m sure he’ll have them fired up and he’ll want to come and turn us over.
“It is going to be a tough ask (for us).
“They are a really good side and they have shown that over the last couple of seasons and it will be a difficult game for us to get the win and keep our run going.”