RIBBLESDALE Wanderers captain Jordan Britcliffe believes his side will have to win all three of their final league matches of the campaign in order to clinch promotion.

Wanderers are third in the table ahead of a top of the table clash at home to Brinscall tomorrow but Britcliffe believes such is the standard in this season’s Ribblesdale League Section B, that the two promotion spots are very much up for grabs.

Salesbury currently lead the way but Wanderers, Brinscall and Cherry Tree are all still in the frame.

“I think it has been a bit more even across the two divisions this season,” said Britcliffe.

“Last season I think teams went up with 120 points and we are on 140 odd already.

“Settle ran away with the top division last season whereas this year teams are beating each other a bit more.

“We have been in good form in the last few weeks but everyone else keeps on winning as well so I think we will have to win our last three games to get promoted.

“If we beat Brinscall then we should go ahead of them but we have a tough game against Baxenden on Sunday.

“We have to just focus on trying to win the last three matches and see where it takes us.”

Wanderers finished in third place a year ago when Baxenden and Padiham claimed the two promotion spots and Britcliffe is keen to avoid a repeat this time around.

“we don’t want to just miss out again,” he said.

“We said at the start of the season that we wanted to finish in the top two, that was our aim. We wanted to win the league but that might not happen now, we will have to go some to catch Salesbury so we want to make sure we are in the top two and secure that promotion place.”

Wanderers will be able to call on a near full-strength side for their remaining three matches of the campaign including professional Primosh Perera with the Sri Lankan remaining in East Lancashire until after the final day of the season.

Salesbury currently top the table on 152 points, seven clear of Brinscall and 14 ahead of Wanderers while Cherry Tree are eight points further back.

The leaders are on the road twice this weekend, at Whalley and Barnoldswick, while Brinscall travel to Whalley on Sunday. Cherry Tree entertain Earby before visiting Padiham.

At the top of Section A, league leaders Oswaldtwistle Immanuel could claim the title with wins at Baxenden and at home to Euxton.

Ossie are 18 points clear of defending champions Settle in second place.