East Preview: Relegation and play-off spots still in the air

By James Gordon

Ossett United, Sheffield FC and Tadcaster Albion will fight it out this weekend for the remaining two play-off spots as the EVO-STIK League East Division reaches an exciting climax.

Ossett currently sit in fourth spot, level on points with Sheffield and three points ahead of Tadcaster. A point will be enough for United against Stocksbridge Park Steels, though their superior goal difference should see them home regardless.

The only way Ossett can finish outside the top five is if they lose, Tadcaster win at home to Lincoln United and manage to overturn a nine-goal swing. If Albion win and Sheffield fall to defeat away at a Brighouse side in the midst of a three-game winning run, Michael Morton and Simon Collins’ side will jump into fifth on goal difference.

At the other end of the table, Gresley and Carlton Town will fight it out to avoid relegation to step five.

Currently bottom of the table, the Moatmen face the uphill task of visiting second-placed Pontefract Collieries, who have picked up 23 points from their last 10 games. Carlton are currently two points above their rivals, and with an away trip to mid-table Marske United, the Millers know that a point will be enough to relegate Gresley, given their far superior goal difference.

Elsewhere in the final round of the regular season, Champions Morpeth travel to Wisbech who are without a win in their last nine games, while Cleethorpes will seek to extend their run of seven wins in their last nine at the Linden Club as Stamford travel north.

Having picked up a win away at basement dwellers Gresley last Monday, Loughborough Dynamo will look to pick up a sixth win in a row away at Pickering Town, while already-relegated AFC Mansfield will try and end a run of four losses in their last five at home to Frickley Athletic.

In the final match of the round, Spalding will look to end the season in positive fashion away at Belper. With just one win in their last eight on the road, the Tulips will seek to climb above Wisbech with victory at the Silver X Stadium.

To view all the weekend's games, visit the EVO-STIK League fixtures page.

Words by James Messenger

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