NPL preview | Title race intensifies, huge play-off six-pointer, and could first sides be relegated from Premier Division?

The top two are currently separated by just goal difference going into their final games, and this weekend both Hebburn Town and Hednesford Town are on their travels as they attempt to make it four wins in a row.

Daniel Moore’s league-leading Hornets travel to Irongate to take on Bamber Bridge.

Only Prescot Cables have picked up fewer points over their last 10 games than the Brig, who have won just one in 12, resulting in their potential play-off surge grinding to a complete halt.

Hebburn, meanwhile, are unbeaten in seven and know that a win will ensure that they’re at least in the title race on the final day.

Hednesford will also be aiming to at least remain in the conversation on the final day, or even find themselves topping the table heading into it if results go their way. They travel to Lincolnshire to take on Cleethorpes Town.

The Owls’ nine-game unbeaten run was ended last weekend at the hands of Hebburn, leaving them five points adrift of a play-off place with just six still on offer.

A top-five finish in their first season in the Premier Division is likely out of their reach, but an impressive win could see them in the hunt on the final day, if results elsewhere go their way.

As has been the case for a few weeks though, the title is still in FC United of Manchester’s hands, and they’ll be searching for a seventh win in eight to at least maintain the two-point deficit they currently have on the top two ahead of next Tuesday’s battle with Stockton Town.

They welcome Greater Manchester rivals Hyde United to Broadhurst Park on Saturday, who themselves are on a four-game unbeaten run and go into the weekend two points clear of the drop.

Down in the relegation zone, the fate of both Stocksbridge Park Steels and Prescot Cables could be sealed if they fail to get a result in both of their games.

Stocksbridge, who are five points adrift of safety, need to win, and they host 12th-placed Ilkeston Town, who have nothing to play for in terms of promotion and relegation.

They’ll have a top-10 finish in their sights though, so Park Steels will have to work for just their fifth home win of the campaign to give themselves a chance at survival on the final day.

Meanwhile, a draw could do for Prescot, who head into the weekend four points adrift, but they’ll be eager to put an end to their 12-game winless run to pull within mere points of safety when they travel to Gainsborough Trinity.

Russ Wilcox’s side currently occupies the final play-off spot, but they’re limping over the finish line somewhat, with just one win in their last six games.

A top-five berth isn’t in their hands either, with Stockton holding a game in hand against FC United next Tuesday. The Holy Blues will be looking to at least remain in the play-offs with a win ahead of that big midweek clash at Broadhurst Park. 

A draw for Prescot could still see them down if other results don’t go their way though.

Elsewhere, Workington, who occupy the final safety spot in the division, are looking to get back on track and end a three-game winless run when they travel to Warrington Town.

The Yellows’ campaign has petered out into a mid-table finish, and they’re currently on a five-game winless run.

And Morpeth Town, who are right on Workington’s heels and sit one point behind them, have a massive away bout with Rushall Olympic.

Back-to-back wins have all-but-saved Ian Long’s side. They’re now five points ahead of the Highwaymen in the final relegation spot, and a draw will be enough to mathematically confirm their place in Step 3 for next season.

Also not completely home and hosed are Whitby Town, who are three points above the drop.

This weekend they face a tough test away at Leek Town, who have won their last four games.

Wins to-nil over Stocksbridge and Prescot in their last two have shown that Josh Brehaut’s side aren’t taking the final games lightly, and a fifth straight win could see them climb up to eighth.

Arguably, the game of the weekend has the potential to come in the play-off race though, as Stockton and Lancaster City, who are both just one point off Gainsborough in fifth, face off at the MAP Group UK stadium.

A massive win last time out against the Holy Blues kept Jimmy Marshall’s side’s play-off hopes alive, and they could end the weekend in the top five with a win, if Prescot come away with points against Gainsborough.

Stockton knows that they have that game in hand next Tuesday, but a loss here could mean that even a win against FC United won’t see them back above the Dolly Blues, goal difference depending.

And finally, two sides who have their Step 3 status secured for next season meet at Hurst Cross as Ashton United take on Guiseley.

Four points separate Ashton in 10th from Ian Richards’ side in 14th. A win for Guiseley could make a top-10 finish possible on the final day.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 18 April

• Ashton United vs Guiseley
• Bamber Bridge vs Hebburn Town
• Cleethorpes Town vs Hednesford Town
• FC United of Manchester vs Hyde United
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Prescot Cables
• Leek Town vs Whitby Town
• Rushall Olympic vs Morpeth Town
• Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Ilkeston Town
• Stockton Town vs Lancaster City
• Warrington Town vs Workington

Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.