Winchcombe Town are closing in on the Cheltenham League Premier Division title after a thumping 15-0 win at FC Lakeside Reserves on Saturday.

And while they were banging in goals for fun, their nearest rivals AFC Kempsey were being held to a 2-2 draw at home to third-placed Fintan.

It means that Winchcombe, who have two games to play, have opened up a nine-point gap on the Worcester club, who have four games remaining.

Winchcombe also have a better goal difference – 55 to 43 – and that could yet be significant although their chairman Phil Comfort is certainly not getting carried away.

And there’s good reason for Comfort to remain cautious because Winchcombe and Kempsey go head-to-head on Saturday 27^th April, with Comfort believing that the title will still be up for grabs on that day.

Winchcombe, who host bottom-of-the-table Prestbury Rovers on Saturday, will have home advantage when the top two clash and Comfort warned: “There could still be quite a few twists and turns.”

AFC Kempsey, who are to withdraw from the league at the end of the season, entertain FC Lakeside Reserves on Saturday and three days later are at home to Smiths Barometrics, two games that their supporters would expect them to win. Their final fixture is at Southside Star on Saturday 4^th May.

Should Winchcombe and Kempsey finish level on points at the end of the campaign then the title will be decided on goal difference and if that is the same it will be decided on goals scored. Winchcombe have scored 72 in 18 games and Kempsey 59 from 16.

In the unlikely event of the two teams being level on points, goal difference and goals scored, Cheltenham League fixtures secretary John Hunt has confirmed that the teams would play-off to decide who wins the title.

Winchcombe will be hoping to clinch the title over the next couple of weeks, of course, and it could be a memorable few days for the club because they are also in the final of the Cheltenham League’s Senior Charities Cup.

The league’s annual showpiece occasion will take place at the home of Cheltenham Town Football Club on Wednesday 24^th April (7pm) with Winchcombe taking on unbeaten Division One pace-setters Montpellier.

“It’s been a very good season,” added Comfort, who confirmed that Winchcombe were hoping to be back in the Northern Senior League next season after two seasons away.

And while it’s going to be a busy period for Winchcombe, Kempsey and Montpellier over the next few weeks, it’s also a very busy period for the Cheltenham League who have three more cup finals scheduled in May. All three games will take place at Kaytre Lane, home of Bishop’s Cleeve,

Cup final dates – Friday 3^rd May, Primary Charities Cup (7.45pm);  Friday 10th May, Minor Charities Cup (7.45pm); Tuesday 14th May, Junior Charities Cup (7.45pm).