AWC survival to be Heath's last hurrah

Steve Heath has one final mission before his six-year reign as Archibald Worthington captain ends – to keep them in the Furrows Shropshire Premier League.

Heath has chosen the eve of their crucial bottom of the table home clash with Childs Ercall to reveal his end-of-season intention to step down as skipper of one of the four teams fighting for their future amongst the elite.

And he is determined not to be the first man to take one of the league's founder members out of the top flight.

"I'm going to step down at the end of the season so I just want to keep the club in the league," said Heath, who is targeting 10 points from tomorrow's game and then a further 12 from the last two fixtures – at Bowring and finally at home to Ifton.

"Since we lost Andy Moss and other top players about five years ago we have been holding on by our fingernails.

"But we are still in there and hopefully we will be at the end of the season."

With just seven points separating the bottom four, the fight to avoid the wooden spoon will dominate the closing weeks of the campaign.

And Bylet are sure to come under sharp focus as they face up to a nightmare conclusion – tomorrow's visit of Chester Road followed by a trip to St Georges and a final night home clash with champions-elect Castlefields.

"We have got two home games left and, even though they are against the top two teams in the league, we have to try and win them," said upbeat captain Mick Harries.

"It's in our own hands and if we play as we can, we have got a chance."

Ford are the other team sweating at the bottom, and they also face a daunting prospect with Castlefields – who won there 10-4 last year – visiting tomorrow night.

Elsewhere, there is a mid-table clash as Newport entertain Ifton while now-safe Bowring make the trip to Wem USC.

A home game with the Bayley offers Meole Brace the chance to consolidate their fourth place, while St Georges head down the hill to Wrockwardine Wood.

By JAMES GARRISON