Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
The pressure is on Swinton Athletic and Penistone Church Reserves in the title race, according to Dodworth Miners Welfare manager Darren Young.
Underdogs Dodworth – who have lost twice to Swinton and played a game extra – are third, one point behind the joint leaders and Young admits his side are relying on favours.
“We’re still four points behind the top two if they win their games in hand so we have to look after ourselves and hope teams around us do us favours and the top two drop points,” Young told Non League Yorkshire.
“We can only do what we can do and hope (the top two) slip up.
“We have a good shout as we have had a good start to the season.
“(The title) is Swinton’s and Penistone’s to lose.
“They are the two favourites because they are at the top.
“But Wakefield are coming strong at the right time and there’s still a few teams who fancy their chances.
“We’re really pleased with how the season has gone.
“It is well-documented that we had a tough pre-season but with the squad we have got and belief we have got we have done really well.
“There’s no reason why the second half of the season can’t replicate what we have done in the first half of the season.
“That would get us to 60 points and that’s a good return for a season and put us right up there.
“We’d be really happy with that.”
The Swinton loss on the 22nd January was a huge blow to their title hopes.
However, they responded by stealth by winning 9-1 at Jubilee Sports.
The 2-1 win at Sheffield Town on Saturday pleased Young.
“It was one of those games where you have to go in and do the job and get out,” he said.
“That was what we said before the game and half-time.
“it didn’t really matter what the performance was like, it was all about getting three points.
“The conditions were awful as well.
“It was never comfortable as it was 1-0 then 1-1 but we didn’t look like losing it.
“We could have easily drawn it because of the conditions.
“It was comfortable on the aspect they didn’t create much.
“Jack (Owen) scored two, Matty Jacobs played well in the middle and the back four played well so it was a good performance.”
Striker Jacobs signed from High Green Villa before Christmas and Young is thrilled with his impact.
“He’s given us a new dimension,” he said.
“In 20 minutes against Sheffield Town he occupied both centre-halves allowing Jack and Liam who were out wide freedom to get in behind.
“He has a presence and he set both goals up and could have scored twice himself.
“That’s what you want from a striker.
“He just needs a goal and he’ll be on his way.
“I’m looking forward to what he does against Gawber.”
Team cohesion remains at high levels despite influential former Cardiff City goalkeeper Josh Herring being injured.
Young Joe Mellor has stepped up and Young says the stopper has performed well.
“Josh Herring has been injured as he broke a rib so he’s out for a couple more weeks,” he said.
“We were lucky to have Joe who has taken his opportunity and done really well.
“He had been training really well five-or-six weeks before (Herring’s injury) and brought the best out of Josh.
“But he’s had his opportunity now and he’s took it so it puts us in a good place because we have two really good goalkeepers.”
Next up is the huge Barnsley derby at old foes North Gawber and Young expects an almighty battle.
The form book will go out of the window, he says.
“Gawber will be the Gawber of old against us,” he said.
“We’re under no illusions.
“No matter where Gawber are in the league or we are, this game will be Dodworth against Gawber old so we’re preparing for the best Gawber team.
“They always bring out the best against us and we have to prepare for a team who is going to try and spoil what we’re trying to do.
“It will be a really good game and a really good advert for the league.”