BEATING Crooklands is about more than just bragging rights for Vickerstown boss Dave Round.

Round’s men take on Casuals tomorrow in a derby clash which could go a long way to shaping the remainder of both clubs’ seasons.

The Walneyites sit seventh in the ultra-competitive 17-team West Lancs League Premier Division, after recovering well from a nightmare start to the campaign.

And if they can avenge a 3-1 defeat to Cassies at Longlands Park back in August – when a brace from Dave Mansergh did the damage – they will be in good shape to achieve their manager’s goal of a top-eight finish.

Defeat, on the other hand, could see Vickerstown dragged into the relegation battle while giving fifth-from-bottom Cassies some daylight from the danger zone.

With three teams set to be relegated, and only seven points separating Vickerstown in seventh and third-bottom Lostock St Gerards – there is everything to play for.

“We’d like to get top eight, top six if possible, and on our day we can beat anyone,” said Round, who is expecting the usual difficult battle against a Crooklands side he has a lot of respect for.

“Cassies always do well against us,” he said.

“They always seem to beat us up there and they always come and get a result at ours.

“They are a hard-working, well-organised side so it will be a tough game – a battle.

“We both need the points. Cassies are in a bit of trouble and we are not still out of the mire so it is a big game. I think we could do with another 12 or 15 points to be safe.

“There are three going down this year and we’ve got quite a hard February. After we play Cassies, we’ve got three away games, but then after that we’ve got quite a good run-in.

“We could do with getting a win against Cassies and then picking up a few points away from home and then we’ll be fine.”

Round is happy with Vickerstown’s current position, especially after his threadbare squad suffered a poor opening month to the season.

“We had a bad start,” he said. “The problem was availability. Like most other clubs around here, we are struggling at times and it killed us at the start of the season.”

“We got one point from the first six games. We had lads missing at the start. It was all doom and gloom but we have recovered really well,” added Round, whose side have taken some good scalps along the way, including leaders Longridge Town and third-placed Fulwood Amateurs.

“We’ve had a few good results at home, a few good results away, so we’ve turned the corner a bit and now it’s a case of carrying on. It is very tight and anyone who goes on a bad run is going to get dragged in.

“It is a tough league. There are no easy games. You have to fight tooth and nail for every point.”

Vickerstown will be without suspended striking duo Sean Paterson and Rob Bruce for the Cassies derby, while fellow forward Danny Keenan is expected to shake off a hamstring injury.

“Hopefully Danny will be okay,” said Round, who is also hopeful attacking players Steve Kewley and Jack Cooksey will have recovered from injury.

“Unfortunately because of work and other commitments we can’t always get the team out we want to,” Round added, of a problem facing most clubs in these days of changing shift patterns and increasing leisure pursuits.

“Cassies will be in the same boat. All local sides are. There are lads working shifts or unavailable for other reasons.

“Thursday night can be a nightmare with team selection, and then when you get over that hurdle, you just set your stall out and get ready for Saturday.

“We’re working on a squad of about 15/16 so it’s just a case of hoping everyone is available every week.

“It’s hard work at times, but the lads are doing well. I can’t knock them.”

Two more derbies take place in the West Lancs League tomorrow, with GSK Ulverston Rangers looking for their first win of the season as they take on Dalton United, and Walney Island hosting Furness Rovers in Division Two.