ECCLESHILL United need to bounce back from last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at mid-table Glasshoughton Welfare as they face what could be a season- defining match at the Mitton Group Stadium on Saturday.

The Eagles were leading Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One when they made the short trip to Glasshoughton, but a  poor performance led to a defeat which knocked the visitors off the summit.

They are second, two points behind leaders Knaresborough Town, as they go into this weekend's home game against third-placed Yorkshire Amateur, who trail the Eagles by just two points.

A win could see Eccleshill back at the top of the table, should Knaresborough slip up at home against lower mid-table Armthorpe Welfare, or it could see them third and outside the automatic promotion places.

The reverse fixture was on the opening day of the season and ended in a 3-3 draw, with Luke Harrop bagging a brace and Jonny Irving also being on target.

A stalemate on Saturday will do neither club any favours but could play into the hands of Knaresborough.

Campion were in the play-off places before last Saturday’s home defeat to newcomers Swallownest, but they could climb back into the top six with a win at Ollerton Town.

The Nottingham outfit joined Swallownest in gaining promotion to the sixth tier of non-league football at the start of this season and are currently lower mid-table.

All three of the local sides in the top tier are struggling this term, and Albion Sports, who are lowest of the three going into the weekend, face the toughest test as they host second-placed Pontefract Collieries.

Ponte could be champions elect as they are just one point behind current leaders Handsworth Parramore but have four games in hand.

They also have two games in hand on the two clubs immediately below them.

Liversedge were denied the chance to break through the 30-point barrier this season when their midweek game at Staveley Miners' Welfare was postponed, so they will be doubly determined when they make the short trip to Garforth Town.

Sedge are just two places higher than their hosts but have banked four points more at this stage and have two games in hand.

Thackley travel to Barton Town, who are immediately below Albion in the table.

Should the Dennyboys taste defeat, they would be overtaken by Albion if the Lions create a shock by beating the current runners-up.

Silsden also endured a postponement of their last fixture as they had to sit out last Saturday but the enforced lay-off didn’t affect their 13-point lead at the top of the Hallmark Security League Division One table.

Second-placed Litherland REMYCA lost, while third-placed Prestwich Heys were also inactive due to a postponement.

The Cobbydalers travel to Shropshire to take on 12th-placed FC Oswestry Town.