Toolstation NCEL Division One
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry
Two leading Division One managers have described the promotion race as very exciting and competitive.
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry and Hall Road Rangers chief Dave Ricardo have assembled sides that are capable of mounting a challenge.
But apart from Penistone, who are unbeaten, only six points separate second place and eleventh-placed Hall Road.
“You can see that it is going to be a tight league,” said Parry, whose side are sixth.
“There is no-one in this league this year that is going to run away with it, I’ve said that to the players.
“You watch at Christmas and there will be still the top ten teams separated by a couple of points.
“I’ve never known this league so tight since I started playing and then managing at this level.
“There doesn’t seem to be much between the sides, even the ones at the bottom.”
Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo
Ricardo agrees with his counterpart Parry and believes teams in the lower end are still capable of mixing it in the top half.
“Anyone one of ten or eleven teams can get in the top six this year and if you’re in the top 15 at the moment then you want to be in those play-offs,” Ricardo said.
“Full credit to Wayne Benn, he has a fantastic side at Hemsworth and they were head and shoulders above the rest of the league last season.
“But I said before the season started that I didn’t think there was a standout team this year.
“Obviously, Penistone have had a fantastic start and Ian Richards is a great guy and manager and I have a lot of respect for him.
“It is very exciting.”
Both managers are on the lookout for new players because of injuries. Parry wants to add two players, while Ricardo is looking for a midfielder as Brad Ricketts is suspended from next week and Ash Allanson has a hamstring problem.
Allanson is cup-tied for Hall Road’s FA Vase tie at Congleton Town tomorrow.
Pontefract welcome Rossington Main in a Division One fixture.