Play-off parties are starting now

28 Apr 2018 By David Watters

Ashton United will collect their silverware as the EVO-STIK League's top flight runners-up before kicking off in the play-offs on Tuesday night.

Third heading in to the last day of the Northern Premier League's 50th anniversary 2017-18 season, the Robins are pictured celebrating with their fans at Workington's Borough Park on Saturday seconds after Liam Tomsett's 90th minute winner helped them beat the Reds 2-1 and overtake Warrington Town.

Farsley Celtic will be their guests at Hurst Cross in one of Tuesday's six play-off semi-finals after they dispatched Marine 3-0 at Throstle Nest to pip Shaw Lane to sixth spot and the final play-off berth in the EVO-STIK League Premier Division.

After losing 2-1 at Stourbridge and seeing Ashton win, the Wire will hope to bounce back when they host fourth-placed finishers Grantham Town, 3-1 winners at relegated Sutton Coldfield Town's Coles Lane.

Get in there: Ashton United bag another goal in a 3-1 win at Workington to climb into second spot

After missing out to Alvechurch in the race for the runners-up trophy in EVO-STIK League South and the extra automatic promotion spot this season behind champions Basford United thanks to the creation of the new Midlands Division next season, Frickley Athletic are hosting Stamford after they pipped Leek Town to sixth place. Third-placed Bedworth United will host Chasetown in the division's other semi-final.

With third placed Hyde United also going up automatically in EVO-STIK League North thanks to their best points per game average across Step 4 of Non-League, Tadcaster Albion snapped up the bonus spot in the play-offs for finishing seventh with a 2-0 home win over Mossley. Taddy's reward is a trip to Bamber Bridge with fifth-placed Prescot Cables at home to Trafford.

All the semi-finals are scheduled to kick-off at 7.45pm ahead of the NPL's three play-off finals on Saturday. The EVO-STIK League is expecting all of the matches to be covered by a number of online radio stations and media partners. Further details will be confirmed on Monday.

Market Drayton Town's fans, players and officials were also celebrating on Saturday night after they secured their status at Step 4 on the final day, a resounding 5-0 home win over Gresley ending the hopes of Romulus of beating the drop by catching them.

Job done: Farsley's players salute supporters after beating Marine 3-0 to secure their final play-off spot

Images courtesy of @AshtonUnitedFC, @Onionbag Photography, @FarsleyCelticFC, @ChasetownFC1954 & @FCTrafford/Twitter

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Back of the net: George Milner wheels away to celebrate his winner

Message: Scott Dundas speak to fans ahead of the play-offs

View from the stands: Trafford's Shawe View before kick-off

Safe: Market Drayton Town enjoy a drink after securing the win their needed to guarantee staying up

Where next?

Season over and boss hunt starts Officials at the world's oldest football club have formally started their hunt for a new manager after interim boss Chris Dolby stood down at EVO-STIK League Sheffield FC.

Make sure you win big on final day! Don't miss Saturday night's chance to hit the jackpot in the big NPL Lotto draw while raising funds for charity and your club on the last day of the regular season!