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NPL preview | Fight intensifies at both ends of the table with three games to go

The finish line is in sight across the Northern Premier League as we head into the final weeks of the campaign.

Three weeks remain, and every point matters, especially when the top three are separated by just two.

Hebburn Town returned to the top on Easter Monday, and this weekend they travel to Cleethorpes Town in an attempt to remain there.

There isn’t a side on a longer unbeaten run in the division than Craig Rouse’s men though, with the Owls coming into this having not tasted defeat in their last nine games and banging on the door of the play-offs.

They’re five points behind Gainsborough Trinity in fifth, so know that only three wins from three to end the campaign will do - and even then, it may not be enough.

Hednesford Town will be hoping that Cleethorpes can maintain their play-off hopes at Hebburn’s expense, as that would open the door for them to climb to the summit, as they start the weekend second on goal difference.

The Pitmen host Morpeth Town, whose survival hopes were given a massive boost with a 3-0 win on Easter Monday against Whitby Town. Unfortunately, results elsewhere meant they remained in the drop zone.

Kelvin Davis’ side have lost just once at Keys Park this season, while Morpeth have won just twice on the road all year, so it’ll be a tough battle for Craig Lynch’s men, and a monumental result if they can leave with points.

The title is still in FC United of Manchester’s hands, with Mark Beesley’s side two points adrift, but with a game in hand.

Having fallen to a heartbreaking late defeat against Hednesford last time out, they’ll be desperate to get back to winning ways when they travel to Guiseley.

Two wins over the Easter Weekend have tightened Warrington Rylands’ grip on fourth place, and they take on the league’s basement side, Stocksbridge Park Steels, in the hope of strengthening their place further.

This is a must-win game for Stocksbridge, who fell five points adrift of safety with their two losses over the bank holiday. A loss, paired with unfavourable results elsewhere, would result in their immediate return to Step 4.

Also in desperate need of three points are Prescot Cables, who come into this weekend four points adrift of 18th and on an 11-game winless run.

They travel to Leek Town, who have won three in a row. But those victories have ensured that they have become the first team to be mathematically unable to be promoted or relegated, so Cables will be hoping that Josh Brehaut’s side will be on the proverbial beach here.

Also looking to take advantage of a side with little to play for are Workington, who travel to Ashton United.

The Reds looked poised to pull away from the drop zone after they escaped a couple of weeks ago, but just one point over the Easter weekend has dragged them right back into the relegation mix.

They’re just one point clear of safety, and they’ll be looking to extend that against an Ashton side who need just one point to mathematically confirm their Step 3 status for another season.

Elsewhere, seven points out of the last nine available have helped Hyde United stay above the dreaded relegation line, while just one win and five defeats in Whitby Town’s last six have started to make them sweat over the thought of going down.

Hyde are just one point above the drop, while Whitby are two ahead. With the two meeting at the Towbar Express Stadium, three points would go a long way towards securing survival for either side.

And then in the race for fifth place, there’s a massive clash as Gainsborough travel to Lancaster City.

With three games remaining each and a four-point barrier between the two, this stands as Gainsborough’s chance to eliminate the Dolly Blues from play-off contention. However, a win for Jimmy Marshall’s side would see them just one point off the Holy Blues going into the final two weeks of the campaign.

Should Gainsborough lose, Warrington Rylands would confirm a top-five finish with victory in their game.

Stockton Town, who fell out of the play-offs after their defeat at Hebburn on Easter Monday, will be hoping for Gainsborough to drop points there, as it means a win against Rushall Olympic would send them back into the top five.

The Pics need the points as much as Michael Dunwell’s side though, as despite ending their eight-game winless run on Easter Monday, Rushall are still just two points above the relegation zone.

And it’s only a matter of time before Ilkeston Town and Bamber Bridge’s status as Step 3 clubs is confirmed for next season.

A win for Ian Deakin’s side would mean they’re mathematically safe from relegation, while simultaneously making sure that the Brig, who are nine points off the play-offs with three games remaining, cannot make the top five.

All games will kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Saturday 11 April