THE Avenue may not have been a fortress this season but Wharfedale are being asked to deliver one of their special home performances on Saturday.

The Greens, who are 11 points from safety in National League One with five matches left, are running out of time to secure a 21st successive season in the third tier.

They face leaders Richmond, but, despite only winning three of their 12 home league matches in 2015-16, Wharfedale have previous when it comes to toppling the division's leading teams at home.

In December 2013, champions to be Doncaster were beaten 19-17, while Esher, second in 2012-13, were defeated 18-15.

As recently as 2011-12, six of the top eight sides returned from Wharfedale with their tails between their legs, and their chairman of rugby Michael Harrison can think of a few good reasons why it can happen again this weekend.

He said: "Confidence is a big part of it – we know we have beaten sides like this before and we can do it again."

However, he knows that playing it safe won't cut it, adding: "We are going to have to be adventurous and score tries."

Harrison also cranked up the atmosphere by asking for the Avenue roar, saying: "Our team spirit is important, as are the supporters.

"We need a big crowd down there as they can be our 16th man, or our 21st man if you like."

Richmond won 34-24 against the Dalesmen on the opening day of the season, and Harrison said: "They have no glaring weaknesses and are just a good, all-round side. Their scrum half and their back three are also very good."

The Greens, who have beaten Richmond in two of their three previous visits to The Avenue, add returning Yorkshire Under-20s captain George Hedgley to a youthful second row.

Fifth-placed Otley, who are the only team to score four tries both at home and away against Macclesfield this season, hope to bounce back from their cruel 27-26 last-minute defeat to the leaders last weekend at Cross Green with a victory at Tynedale.

Wharfedale (home to Richmond): H Bullough; D Tai, C Hudson, H Morgan, J Prell: J Guy, P Woodhead; M Beesley, S Graham, R Cano, D Preston-Routledge, G Hedgley, J Burridge, R Baldwin, J Barnard. Replacements (from): J Altham, J Poole, A Wade, A Allen, J Bullough, D Stockdale.