Premier Preview: Key title battle as top two face off

By James Gordon

First versus second will go head-to-head as they battle it out for the Northern Premier League title.

League leaders Matlock Town will play in their second successive top of the table clash, as they host Kevin Phillip’s South Shields at the 1st Cloud Arena.

The Gladiators are three points clear of the Mariners going into this fixture, but a victory by two clear goals for South Shields would see them leapfrog into the top spot.

Speaking on Matlock’s official website, manager Paul Phillips has shared his thoughts ahead of this highly anticipated encounter: “Of course it’s a really big game but there’s still sixteen games left so there’s a very long way to go.

“We want to be playing these sorts of games.

“I know I keep sounding like a broken record but at the start of the season most of our fans and a good many outsiders would say I ought to be locked up if I’d said we’d be top and three points ahead of them (Shields) at this point in the season.”

Elsewhere at the top of the Premier Division, third placed Bamber Bridge will be looking for a victory to put pressure on the duo at the top, while also securing their own spot in the play-offs as they host Stalybridge Celtic at home who sit in 15th place.

The play-off spots are very precarious, Scarborough, who sit just one point behind Bamber Bridge, will travel to the West Midlands to face-off against second from bottom Witton Albion, who will be aiming to break out of the bottom two with a victory against the Seadogs.

Buxton, who are on the cusp of the play-off spots will journey to the east side of Manchester to play Hyde United. The Bucks are without a victory in six consecutive games, and will be hoping to break this streak, securing their position against the chasing pack.

Sitting just outside the play-off places, sixth and seventh do battle this weekend as Whitby Town welcome Warrington Town to the Turnbull Ground, with just two points separating the teams.

Whitby Town were pegged back three times in their mid-week clash against FC United, but a 70th minute goal from Jacob Hazel ensured that the Seasiders came away with a 4-3 victory.

Meanwhile the Yellows, who occupied the final play-off spot during the previous match week have fallen to seventh, following a 1-2 defeat at home to South Shields and a string of results which saw teams move above them.

Simultaneously, Stafford Rangers will be hoping to move within a point to Warrington as they travel to Gainsborough who sit in 16th place.
Following their tight defeat mid-week to Whitby, FC United take on bottom of the table Grantham Town as they look to bounce back.

Basford United and Morpeth Town will do battle in a mid-table clash, with the Highwaymen currently on an 11 game unbeaten run in the league.

Lancaster City will host Radcliffe at the Giant Axe, while Ashton United travel to Cheshire to face Nantwich Town, who currently sit on the brink of a relegation position.

Where next?

Matlock solidify their attacking line with new striker Matlock Town have announced the signing of striker Jack Hindle from Kelantan F.C.
Midfielder swaps Leeds for FC United FC United of Manchester have announced the signing of Leeds United winger Josh Galloway on loan for the remainder of the season.

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