Round-up | NPL play-off semi-finals

There was plenty of action across all four NPL divisions last night, with plenty of upsets and penalty drama to go along with it.

It was a quick turnaround from a long and gruelling season, and those who were victorious will have to dust themselves down even quicker for the biggest game of their respective seasons over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

Here’s everything that happened in each division:

NPL Premier Division

Semi-final results:

• FC United of Manchester 2-3 Warrington Rylands
• Hednesford Town 2-0 Stockton Town

Warrington Rylands came from behind twice to upset FC United of Manchester and reach the play-off final after a five-goal thriller at Broadhurst Park.

FC United had stumbled over the finish line after securing their play-off place, especially on home soil, but they showed no sign of that affecting them when Jan Palinkas headed them in front inside three minutes.

Mark Beesley’s side conceded a penalty five minutes out from half-time, which Ben Hardcastle dispatched. But the home side rallied immediately and went into the break ahead through Dec Evans.

Former FC United man Clive Smith would equalise on the hour mark, and 10 minutes later, Rylands would have their first lead of the night through George Waring. 

Neil Reynolds’s side held out for a huge win, and one which puts them 90 minutes away from the National League North.

In the other semi-final, it was business as usual for Hednesford Town at Keys Park as they overcame a defiant Stockton Town, winning 2-0.

The Anchors were reduced to 10 men just before half-time, after Arjun Purewal was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity. 

Stockton were unable to make it to the break even on the scoreboard, Montel Gibson giving the Pitmen the lead just minutes later.

In the second half, Ollie Harrison added a second for Kelvin Davis’ side, ensuring that they’ll take on Rylands at home on Bank Holiday Monday.

NPL East Division

Semi-final results:

• Emley 1-0 Dunston
• Matlock Town 1-2 Bradford (Park Avenue)

In a replay of last season’s semi-final, it would be Emley who came out on top against Dunston, winning by an identical 1-0 scoreline.

Richard Tracey’s side took the lead in the 18th minute through Laurence Sorhaindo, and the best defence across the entire NPL this season would withstand pressure to hold out for a priceless victory.

Meanwhile, it proved to be play-off heartache once more for Dunston, who have now secured top-five finishes in three successive campaigns but have failed to get promoted in all three.

Arguably, the shock of the entire semi-final slate came at the Proctor Cars Stadium though, as Bradford (Park Avenue) progressed to the final on Saturday after beating Matlock Town 2-1.

Having been the form team heading into the post-season, Matlock were left stunned when they fell behind through Marcus Carver, but managed to get into the break level after Cameron Wilson netted in added time.

As it looked like extra-time was inevitable, substitute Ben Andreucci popped up with an 85th-minute winner for Park Avenue, sending their travelling supporters into a frenzy.

It’s all set up now for a tasty West Yorkshire derby clash on Saturday for a place in Step 3 next season.

NPL Midlands Division

Semi-final results:

• Carlton Town 0-0 Racing Club Warwick (Racing Club Warwick win 4-2 on penalties)
• Basford United 2-2 Belper Town (Belper Town win 4-3 on penalties)

Both semi-final clashes in the Midlands Division saw the away side progress, and they both did so via a penalty shootout.

In what was a nervy affair at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, both Carlton Town and Racing Club Warwick played out a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes of action, and it would be the side who just squeezed into the top five on the final day who would prolong their season.

After both sides scored their first two penalties, Tom Allsopp gave Warwick the advantage, saving Carlton’s third. 

Jack Edwards and Chris Knott’s side would stay composed from the spot, while Carlton missed once more, giving Warwick a 4-2 spot-kick win.

Elsewhere, it was a more entertaining affair through 90 minutes at Greenwich Avenue as local rivals Basford United and Belper Town were gridlocked at two apiece, leading into extra time.

The Ambers led twice in the game through goals from Tyreace Palmer and Nat Peters but were pegged back both times, minutes before the end of either half.

In the end, Jacob Gratton’s 87th-minute effort levelled the game, and neither side could get their noses in front in the extra period. 

Belper ended the match with 10 men too, after Lewis Austin was sent off in the 120th minute.

In the shootout, though, Basford would blink first after six flawless penalties, as Oli Wilson’s effort was saved, and Nyle Blake blazed over the bar, leading Belper to the final.

NPL West Division

Semi-final results:

• Avro 2-2 Lower Breck (Avro win 4-3 on penalties)
• Stalybridge Celtic 1-0 Runcorn Linnets

The NPL West Division was the only one out of the four leagues to see both home sides make good of their advantage and progress to the final.

Stalybridge Celtic and Runcorn Linnets met at Bower Fold in a rematch of their league encounter just 10 days earlier. 

While nothing could separate the two sides then, it would be Jon Macken’s side that would progress this time around..

Andy Scarisbrick gave Stalybridge the lead inside the opening eight minutes, and that would be enough for them to progress to the final.

Meanwhile, Avro and Lower Breck’s matchup to’d and fro’d, and in the end, it was apt that it would end via a penalty shootout.

Nothing could separate the two sides in the first half, but Jake Cottrell changed that for the hosts five minutes after the break.

Gary Moore’s side battled until the very last though, and in the 93rd minute, Lewis Buckley got Breck level right at the death to take the game to extra time.

Lower Breck would then take the lead in the extra period through Jordan Barrow, and it was Avro’s turn to battle back and equalise late, which they did in the 117th minute through Kieron Molloy.

In the shootout, Breck would take the advantage after the Ro missed their first spot-kick, but things would be levelled up ahead of the fifth penalty after Sam Burns failed to convert.

With the game in sudden death, Avro held their nerve and win 4-3 to set up a final between themselves and Stalybridge on Saturday.