WORSBROUGH Bridge were 18 points behind local rivals Athersley Rec in the table last month but could overtake them tonight when they host a Barnsley derby from 7.45pm.

The teams also met on the first day of the season and drew 0-0, but Worsbrough took just four points from their first nine games – with no wins – so were 18 points behind Rec at the start of October.

But, while Athersley have followed an excellent start with five straight losses, Bridge are unbeaten in nine with seven wins.

Rec are tenth with 32 points from 21 games while Worsbrough are 12th with 30 points from 19 games.

Athersley manager Paul Clarkson said: “It was always going to even itself out over the season. I have said that to everyone.

“My aim was 50 points before we had kicked a ball. We want to improve on last season when we got 44.

“To have 32 by the halfway stage is fantastic.

“It will be a tough game at Worsbrough, playing on the slope.

“They have picked up some good form, and they are doing really well.

“It will be a good test for us.

“We played them on the first day of the season but both clubs are in very different places now.”

Worsbrough boss Lee Morris added: “Obviously Rec started like a house on fire. Clarky has got them doing really well. We didn’t have a great start to the season with a lot of players missing.

“We’ve gone on a run and Athersley have lost a few but they are still very dangerous.

“We’re neck and neck in the table. Both will be thinking they can still get in and around the play-off places with a good run. We just need to be consistent.

“If we win, we move into the top ten.

“We’re doing really well. We have lots of confidence from winning.

“But we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and keep ticking games off.

“I think it will be a great game. People keep calling it the battle of Barnsley.

“We had a big crowd against Wombwell Town recently and hopefully there will be another one for this game.

“I don’t think it gets any better than a Barnsley derby under the lights.”