Malvern Town will return to action to the Hellenic League Premier title race this weekend after a week off.

The Hillsiders remain top by two points ahead of Cribbs, who face a tricky clash with fourth placed Westfields at home on Saturday.

As for Malvern, they welcome lowly Chipping Sodbury Town to the HDAnwhere Community Stadium, looking to keep Cribbs at bay for the time being. 

But they will still be buoyed by that 2-1 win over Cribbs last time out, a result that has given them the psychological edge as we approach the final months of the season.

"We return to action refreshed and ready to get back into our quest for League points," said co-manager, Lee Hooper.

"It will be another tough test for us, which will require us to roll our sleeves up and work hard so that we can reach the high standards that we have set ourselves.

"Everyone has a role to play as we enter the month of February. Let’s create a positive, winning atmosphere and get the job done on Saturday before turning our attention to the next game."

But the Bristol-based outfit still have two games in hand on Malvern and therefore have the upper hand in that sense. 

But co-manager Hooper is far more confident having points on the board rather than games in hand. 

"The pressure is very much on Cribbs, they have to keep going because we won't stop," he said after the 2-1 win two weeks ago. 

"They still have games in hand but that doesn't mean they have the points. I would much rather be sat where we are, points on the board, than still having to play those games and get the points. 

"We will just keep plugging away, game after game, and see what we can do and not worry about Cribbs. All the pressure is on them now."

But it is not just Cribbs and Malvern competing for the top two, there are still contenders left in this race. 

Third-placed Worcester Raiders suffered a shock defeat at Roman Glass St George last weekend, a result that sees them 12 points off Malvern, with two games in hand. 

They will continue to fight or points but it looks a tall order given the form of the top two.

But you cannot count out Corsham Town either. Their cup runs mean they have an almost ridiculous seven games in hand on Malvern, and five over Cribbs.

They remain 19 and 21 points off the top two but with all those games in hand, they could yet make a late play in the title race.