TYTHERINGTON Rocks could secure promotion from Hellenic League Division One West with a win at Carterton this Saturday – and then pass a ground inspection by the end of the month.

Two years ago Gary Powell’s side were unable to go up after winning the title as they did not have the facilities, but they have since installed floodlights, hard standing and new dugouts and are on the brink of becoming champions for the second time in three years with a 13-point lead at the top of the table.

Work has also begun on a new seating stand and although that will not be finished by next Monday’s deadline, major developments are expected to be given tolerance by the FA if it can be completed by the summer and Rocks chairman Ted Travell is confident that the Hardwicke Playing Fields will meet the ground regulations.

He said: “We’ll get the seats in and then it’s a matter of putting the roof on but we won’t get that done by the end of March.”

Tytherington have applied to switch to the Toolstation Western League next season and could go straight into the Premier Division if they secure a top two finish, but the FA will not make their decision until June.

They were unsuccessful when they tried to move from the Hellenic League last year but Travell believes their chances have improved because of the new facilities and feels it would benefit the club due to lower travelling costs and more local teams leading to higher gates.

“Financially we would be quite a lot better off,” said Travell.

Tytherington moved a step closer to the title last Wednesday when they claimed a 1-0 home win over Lydney Town, who are one of only two teams who can mathematically catch them as they have five games in hand.

Second-placed Shortwood United Reserves can’t afford any further slip-ups and need Tytherington to lose their last three games to finish ahead of them.

Tytherington could even be champions by next week if they win at Carterton and then Malmesbury Victoria on Tuesday night, and Lydney fail to beat Purton away.

Travell said: “It would be quite an achievement to get two in three seasons so that’s good for the club management.

“We’ve only lost one game and we’ve got three to play so we’ll play to win them all.”