In-depth | Final weekend permutations across the Northern Premier League

We’ve taken a closer look at those teams fighting for the title, a home draw in the play-offs, a spot in the top-five and those aiming to stave off relegation on the final day.

Premier Division

The picture at the top and bottom of the Premier Division is somewhat clear with all but one of the playoff spots being cemented and all of the relegation places confirmed.

Currently occupying the only remaining playoff spot that can change hands, Worksop Town will reach the play-offs if they win at Atherton Collieries, who succumbed to the drop last week.

Ashton United could snatch fifth place from the Tigers should they win by 10 more goals, or more realistically, better Worksop’s result, however, they face a Marine side who will be aiming to nail down a home play-off semi-final with a victory away at Hurst Cross.

Hyde United, who will be forced to watch from the sidelines after they played their final fixture of the season last weekend, can only reach the play-offs if Ashton United lose and Worksop Town lose by more than one goal.

Towards the top of the table, Warrington Rylands can only finish third if they win their home clash against Ilkeston Town and Marine fail to win away at Ashton, while Macclesfield are already guaranteed second place and a home play-off semi-final so the outcome of their result against Whitby Town will not affect the play-off battle.

East Division

Hebburn Town’s 1-0 defeat to Ossett United in midweek means that the race for the title will be decided on the final day.

The Hornets sit on 78 points and have a one-point advantage over second-placed Stockton Town, and will win the league title with a win away at Sheffield.

If Hebburn lose, Stockton Town can win the league with a draw at Belper Town, due to both teams having the same positive goal difference of 43. In the same vein, if Hebburn draw, the Anchors can win the league with a win due to having a superior goal difference.

In the fight to secure a home tie in the play-off semi-final, third-placed Dunston will guarantee a clash against Pontefract Collieries at the UTS Stadium next weekend should they beat Stocksbridge Park Steels on the road.

However, the tables could turn on the Fed if they fail to pick up three points and Pontefract win their game at Newton Aycliffe which would see them leapfrog into third place, securing a home clash against Dunston in the play-offs.

At the bottom of the table, Grantham Town secured their survival in the division with a 2-1 victory away at Sheffield in midweek.

This means that Bridlington Town can stave off relegation with a victory away at Consett.

Brighouse Town could avoid the drop should they win against Carlton Town and Bridlington lose. Should the Seasiders draw on Saturday, Town would need to win by more than nine goals.

Whilst still mathematically possible, basement side Winterton Rangers can only secure survival if they win by a margin of 14 goals against Grantham Town and both Brighouse Town and Bridlington Town lose.

Midlands Division

It’s another two-horse race for the title in the Midlands Division with Spalding United currently having one hand on the trophy heading into the weekend’s proceedings.

The Tulips are one point ahead of nearest challengers Anstey Nomads on 86 points and will secure automatic promotion into the Premier Division should they pick up a seventh consecutive victory at home to Coleshill Town.

Hoping to spoil the party, Anstey Nomads can win the league title with a win at home to Sutton Coldfield Town and a defeat for Spalding at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

If Spalding lose by more than two goals, a draw will be enough for Anstey Nomads to finish top.

Third-placed Harborough Town can still finish second if they record a victory against Loughborough Dynamo and Anstey Nomads lose.

The Moes would need to beat the Bees and Quorn to lose away at Bedworth United, as well as see an 18-point swing in goal difference, to reach the play-offs.

Quorn, who sit two points below Hinckley LRFC on 65 points, could leapfrog the Knitters into fourth place with a win if Hinckley fails to win at home to Coventry Sphinx.

In the battle to avoid relegation, bottom-of-the-league Gresley Rovers would need to win away at Corby Town, and for both Rugby Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds to lose, and see a goal difference swing of more than 10 with both clubs to survive relegation.

Rugby Town, who sit in 18th place, need to better AFC Rushden & Diamonds result at Walsall Wood to ensure safety.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds can stay up with a win if Rugby Town draw or lose, or if they both win, then by winning by two goals more.

Coventry Sphinx and Cambridge City know that a point will guarantee safety for both sides.

However, if they both record defeats, then they can only be at risk if both Rugby Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds win and there is a significant goal difference swing.

West Division

It’s a three-way battle for a spot in the eliminators next weekend in the West Division.

Both Runcorn Linnets and Prescot Cables are already guaranteed play-off places, but the nature of where they will be playing is yet to be determined.

A draw for Runcorn at 1874 Northwich would be enough for them to secure a home clash in the play-off semi-finals, while Prescot Cables would need to record a victory away at Trafford or draw and hope that City of Liverpool and Bootle fail to pick up three points.

City of Liverpool, Bootle and Witton Albion all sit on 62 points and with each vying for a place in the play-offs, it’s shaping up to be a real thriller.

It’s a winner-takes-all affair as City of Liverpool prepare to do battle with Witton Albion at Rivacre Park, with both sides knowing that a win for either, or a draw for the Purps, will guarantee a play-off place.

Bootle would also book their spot in the play-offs with a win against Hednesford Town, but defeat for the Bucks would mean that Witton would qualify with a draw against City of Liverpool.

Photo credits: Darren Murphy