DEARNE and District are nine points clear in the only automatic promotion place in NCEL Division One with ten games to play.

They have won their last seven league games, scoring 25 goals in that sequence, and have 80 points from 32 games.

If they take 22 points from their remaining ten games, they will win the league and go into the NCEL Premier.

Manager Zeph Thomas said: “It’s the business end of the season now and we just need to keep doing the right things that have got us in this position.

“People are getting excited. There is a good feel around the place. Hopefully we get over the line because it would be massive for the community and the club from us down to the youth players.

“Confidence is high within the team, we’re playing well and picking up results. We’re just taking it one game at a time.

“Anything can happen. Teams have had dips which you wouldn’t expect.

“We need to stay on our toes because, if we don’t, it can soon look different.”

Second-placed Wakefield are unbeaten in 12 with ten wins including the last six, cutting down Dearne’s lead slightly with their games in hand.

“Wakefield are waiting for any sort of slip-up and they will push us all the way.

“They have a very good squad and they are on good form. That puts pressure on us but there is pressure on them too because they can’t afford to drop points.

“It will be an interesting finish.”