news

State of play | West Division title race escalates as Avro look to push Bury to the final day

Bury can join Redcar Athletic in confirming their place at Step 3 next season as early as this weekend, as they head into the final two games of the campaign two points clear at the top of the NPL West Division.

Right on their heels are Avro, who have bounced back well from successive defeats against Kidsgrove Athletic and Bootle with three consecutive wins, including a 4-1 away demolition of Vauxhall Motors last weekend, to keep pace with the Shakers.

Those two losses for Grant Shenton’s side allowed Bury to open up a four-point gap heading into the Easter Weekend. In an ideal world, they’d be able to secure the title at Gigg Lane this coming Saturday, but a draw on Easter Monday against Clitheroe shaved that points buffer in half.

So, with two games remaining, it’s still in Bury’s hands, but as seen in the West this season, anyone can beat anyone. Here’s how the run-in of the two clubs compare.

1st: Bury

Points: 84

Goal difference: +44

Bury have really picked up a head of steam in the second half of the campaign.

After 21 games, the Shakers sat outside the play-offs on 38 points. Since then, it’s been 46 out of a possible 57 in terms of points return, as the current leaders went on lengthy winning runs under Tim Lees and now Anthony Johnson.

After being run right to the end by Lower Breck at Step 5 last season, they know how tense these run-ins can be, and they’ll be aiming to get out on the other side once again with positive results in their last two games.

“As important as they get,” Lees said after their recent 1-0 win over Nantwich Town, when asked how big the final couple of games are.

“What we do have is experience. From a manager's point of view, we have someone who has won more promotions than probably anyone else in non-league, so we make sure we prepare right.

“We have experience in the group, players who have won this league before and know what it takes.

“We’ve got consistency in terms of the lads who know what it takes to play at home, and most importantly, we look solid without the ball. You win leagues through that.”

The Shakers take on Witton Albion at Gigg Lane on Saturday, in front of a crowd which has already surpassed 5,000. They can clinch the league title if they win and Avro drop points. Otherwise, they’ll head to Atherton Collieries on the final day and look to secure it then.

Four points for Bury in those two games should be enough, barring a goal difference swing of nine or more if Avro pick up six points from six.

Remaining games:

Witton Albion (H) - 18/4
Atherton Collieries (A) - 25/4

2nd: Avro

Points: 82

Goal difference: +36

Just behind Bury are Avro, who will need to win both of their final two games and hope for a slip-up in either of the Shakers’ final two outings to pip them to the post and cap off what has already been a hugely successful campaign.

Grant Shenton’s side have secured a play-off spot at Step 4 for the first time in their history and done incredibly well to even be in with a shot at winning the title ahead of some of the other traditionally ‘bigger’ sides in the division.

Speaking on A Non League of Their Own, a by-show of the ‘I Had Trials Once’ podcast, Shenton outlined that both he and his players are fully focused on the task at hand, and are prepared to pounce if Bury drop points.

“We’re doing our job now, that’s all we can do. We’ve got Nantwich away on Saturday, and obviously we want to take it to the last day. Until we can’t win the league, I’m not thinking about the play-offs.

“We slipped up the other week when we got beat by Kidsgrove, so it’s only the same with them, and I don’t think they’ve done great away from home against teams who don’t necessarily have the best pitch. We have, as well, to be fair.

“I’m a bit nervous, but excited at the same time.”

It’s Nantwich away on Saturday for Avro, who ran Bury close at Gigg Lane last Saturday in a 1-0 defeat, and smashed basement club Darlaston Town 5-1 on Tuesday night.

They have nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, but they’ll be hoping to finish as high up the table as possible.

Then, they welcome Darlaston to the Vestacare Stadium on the final day, who are currently on a 12-match losing run, which could be 13 come April 25.

If Avro win against Nantwich, they’ll take the title race to the final day, and will have confidence that they can do their job against already-relegated opposition.

Remaining games: