Workington Reds are determined to see their crunch Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clash with Stourbridge go ahead this weekend.

There had been some doubt over who Reds' opponents would be this Saturday.

The Cumberland FA had wanted Reds to play their Cumberland Cup semi-final against Pirelli this coming weekend but Reds are insistent that the league takes priority.

Reds chairman John Mackay said: "The rules state that league matches take precedence on a Saturday over all competitions apart from the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

"County cup matches can only take precedence midweek, so we are preparing to play Stourbridge.

"We have offered to play Pirelli midweek at Borough Park to get the game in as we understand they don't have lights.

"And, as an olive branch for giving up home advantage, we have offered to split the gate with them. We are waiting to hear back from them now."

Pirelli only completed their delayed quarter-final at the weekend, beating Whitehaven Amateurs 4-0 to earn the tie against cup holders Reds.

But Mr Mackay added cancelling the Stourbridge game at this point would also have a wider effect.

Stourbridge already face a 440-mile round trip to play their match at Workington and have their travel already booked.

And, with the league in its crucial final stages, both sides are looking to collect vital points.

Stourbridge are currently lying third in the table, with Reds just outside the play-off places in seventh and hoping to pick up further points.

But Workington will be missing James Earl for the next few matches as the midfielder has been banned for four games.

Earl was sent off for the second time this season in Reds' 2-0 win at Hednesford last Saturday.

His ban begins this weekend with both league and county cup matches counting towards it.