Ashton United will be looking to do the double over a side for the first time this season as they welcome promotion contenders Workington AFC to Hurst Cross. The game is set to be a matchup between two of the divisions form sides and with a place in (or out) of the play-off places up for grabs, hold on to your seats for what looks to be one of the games of the weekend!

Having won their last two matches, the Robins will be looking to complete a hat-trick of victories on Saturday. If they do so it will be the third time they will have completed this feat during the 2014/15 campaign. Having beaten Nantwich Town, Trafford and Saturday’s opponents between the 14th and 21st October and then beating Whitby Town, Rushall Olympic and Belper between the 29th November and 20th December.

Despite the blip at home to FC United of Manchester, United’s form at Hurst Cross has been impressive of late, winning three and drawing one of their last five games in the town. Scoring ten and conceding seven in the process.

Thankfully for Paul Phillips and co, defensive frailties that saw the team concede five away at Witton Albion and throw away a three goal lead against Belper, seem to be a thing of the past. The side have kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time in nearly a year, with the last time two shut outs were recorded coming during the 2-0 away win at Frickley Athletic on the 25th January 2014, followed by a 2-0 home win a week later against Rushall Olympic. A settled defence of Sam Wilson, Greg Pearson, Jay Gorton and Jack Higgins seems to be doing the trick for the side and with Phillo back as number one the back four are now playing with real confidence.

In terms of scoring, Dale Johnson’s finish away at Matlock Town last week saw him bag his 8th in 10 matches since making his ‘second-debut’ for the club. ‘Jonno’ has also picked up three Man of the Match awards and two assists making him one of the most feared forwards in the league.

Our opponents Workington AFC find themselves two points above Ashton United in the table, with the Reds currently occupying the division’s final play-off place. Without a doubt the side managed by Gavin Skelton are the league’s form side, having won seven of their last eight games. However only three of these victories have come away from their home ground Borough Park.

At the back, the Cumbrian side give nothing away and boast the second meanest defence in the league, having conceded just 26 times in 28 games. Only FCUM can champion a better record having shipped 23 in 26 matches.

Up top however is a different story for the promotion chasers. Skelton’s side have scored the least goals out of every team in the league’s top ten (36) and have struggled to register away from home, having scored just 14 in 14 matches.

During the Reds last game last weekend, the side recovered from two goals down against Rushall Olympic to remarkably turn the game around and win 3-2, with an 88th minute winner.

During the fixture at Borough Park between the two sides back in October. A brace from now departed striker Richard Bennett gave the Robins their first away win of the season in a 2-1 win in front of a packed crowd.

A win for Ashton United this weekend could see them climb as high as 4th, if Curzon Ashton lose away at Blyth Spartans added with FC United’s FA Trophy commitments and Workington being 5th. However three points for the Reds could see them realistically move 3rd in the table, joint on points with 2nd placed Ilkeston FC.