Premier Preview: Play-off race heats up

Albion picked up a huge 1-0 win over then-leaders Farsley Celtic last weekend thanks to a Rob Hopley strike, with the hosts missing a penalty and failing to break down the 10-man visitors after Matty Devine was shown a red card with 40 minutes remaining.

With the Seadogs sitting one point outside of the top five, a victory would certainly aid their cause for the play-offs.

Albion did suffer defeat at the hands of Buxton in midweek, but Carl Macauley insists that he is nothing but proud of his fatigued squad.

Speaking to the Northwich Guardian, he said: “They’ve put in a shift time and again, and I’ll defend them on that.

“I think we’ve done so well to climb the table and get ourselves out of a dangerous situation towards the bottom of the table.

“It speaks volumes about some of these lads that they’ve gritted their teeth when they’ve had knocks or niggles and given so much.”

League leaders Warrington have lost just once in their last 17 matches and will hope to extend that record when they travel to Mickelover, while Farsley visit the Giant Axe to take on Lancaster City, having brushed aside North Ferriby on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in the race for top spot, South Shields play host to Buxton, while Nantwich are also on soil against Stalybridge.

Gainsborough – who currently occupy the last play-off spot - will aim to break away from the teams below them when they take on Bamber Bridge.

Ahead of the game, top scorer Ash Worsfold said that his partnership up top with fellow striker Ant Wilson could be the catalyst for making the play-offs this year.

“Ant had a real presence about him, and it was brilliant to have someone to play off,” he told the Gainsborough Standard. “It was nice being the receiver of flick-ons, so I could have a few more chances.”

There could be some jockeying in the midfield this weekend as Hednesford face Grantham and Basford visit Whitby.

Marine were unbeaten in seven matches prior to last weekend’s 2-0 loss to AFC Workington, and the Merseysiders will look to rediscover their winning formula as they take on a Stafford Rangers side sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

In the other games, Hyde United are on the road as they face Workington, while basement side North Ferriby travel to Matlock, who have won just once in their last nine league games.

Words by James Messenger