The Battle for Sixth: Who Will Clinch the Playoff Spot?
With the Northern Premier League - Premier Division playoffs looming and competition tightening, the race for a chance at promotion to the Vanarama National League North has never been more intense. In the Northern Premier League, the battle for sixth place is underway. But who can realistically secure it? The four main contenders in the fight are Ilkeston Town, Warrington Rylands, Morpeth Town AFC, and Hebburn Town FC.
Ilkeston Town, who currently occupy sixth place with fifty-one points, have just come off a one-one draw with Prescot Cables, marking their third draw in the last four games, alongside a two-one loss to Stockton, who sit just above them in fifth place with fifty-six points. To secure a playoff spot, The Robins, at a bare minimum to keep their position at sixth, must focus on collecting just enough points from their remaining eight games to maintain their standing.
However, their upcoming fixtures will pose a massive challenge, in which they will have to either draw or win. The decisive matches that could determine whether they retain their playoff position or lose will be against Stockton, Warrington Rylands, and Hebburn Town.
Sitting in seventh place is Warrington Rylands. With forty-eight points, The Blues are just one win away from the playoff spot. Recently, the side has been in prime form to overtake Ilkeston, coming off one loss, one win, and two draws.
A victory in their next match—coupled with an Ilkeston loss—would see them move into the playoff position. Points aside, the only other factor separating the two sides is a single goal on goal difference. Should The Blues win against Blyth Spartans on Saturday and draw against Worksop Town on the twenty-second of March, sixth place should be attainable. Rylands' most important upcoming fixture is on March twenty-ninth, when they face Ilkeston.
Morpeth, who sit in eighth place with forty-eight points, are in a very similar position to Warrington Rylands. Having won three out of their last four games, The Highwaymen are in brilliant form, with players Nic Bollado and Sam Hodgson on particularly good form.
Morpeth will look to pose a strong challenge for both Ilkeston and Rylands. Should they be able to keep up the momentum, a sixth-place finish is not out of the cards. Winning their next three games should set them on a steady trajectory towards sixth place.
Lastly, Hebburn Town, who have been promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One East the season prior, currently hold tenth place with forty-six points. Being separated from sixth by five points, their last four matches have resulted in one win, one draw, and two losses. To have a realistic chance of securing the much sought-after playoff spot, The Hornets must win their next three matches as a minimum. However, with key midfielders like Aidan Heywood out on injury, The Hornets will get strongly challenged in their next three games when they go up against Ashton, Prescot Cables, and Guiseley, who are all in steady form as of recent.