SOME of East Lancashire’s non-league sides will be back in action tomorrow.

After the Government altered guidance on fans attending games in Tier 3 areas, both the Northern Premier League and North West Counties League are both gearing up for a resumption after a six-week break.

The directives on restarting the season from the two leagues have differed however.

While the NWCL officially resumes its season this weekend, the NPL has gone for a more gradual approach.

Clubs are being allowed to play league fixtures in the next week but a full programme is not taking place until Boxing Day.

As a result, in the North West Division Colne resume tomorrow at home to Prescot Cables and Clitheroe welcome Kendal Town on Tuesday night, December 22.

Ramsbottom United are however not playing until Boxing Day when they travel to Mossley.

Clitheroe, who are on the road to face former manager Neil Reynolds and his FC United side in a final warm-up friendly tomorrow, have voiced their concerns about how financially viable the return to action is with catering facilities not allowed to service a capped number of supporters.

Clubs in the North West Division will be restricted to crowds of 200, that number dropping to 150 for both tiers of the North West Counties League.

As things stand, those numbers double should coronavirus restrictions ease and any area be moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2, the next review due on December 30.

David Lynch’s Blues are currently fifth in the table with just one defeat from their opening seven league games and with Rammy topping the pile and Colne three points back in third, all three sides eyeing a successful campaign.

In the North West Counties League tomorrow, Premier Division action sees Barnoldswick Town on the road at Irlam while in the First Division North AFC Darwen travel to AFC Blackpool and Nelson are at home to Atherton LR.

Padiham and Bacup Borough are not in action.

Chorley are also without a game this weekend after their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Guiseley on Tuesday night and next host AFC Fylde in the National League North at Victory Park on Boxing Day.

The Magpies then have two further league games, against Chester and the return with the Coasters, to navigate before hosting Wayne Rooney and Derby County in the FA Cup on January 9.