Saturday's North Division final day review

By David Watters

Hyde United celebrated being given automatic promotion, despite finishing third in the EVO-STIK League North, by remaining unbeaten at home in the league on the final Saturday of the season, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 640 took advantage of free entry at Ewen Fields to see a 4-3 win over play-off chasing Colwyn Bay, Hyde going in front through a 10th minute Tom Pratt penalty which Jack Hindle cancelled out in the 31st minute.

Goals either side of half-time from Pratt again and Tyrone Gay gave the Tigers command and then David Brown stretched that lead to 4-1 with 5 minutes to go. But Bay threatened Hyde`s record by pulling two back from Danny Andrews and Will Booth in the final three minutes.

Hyde`s automatic spot meant there was an extra play-off spot to contend on the final day. And goals from Billy Whitehouse after 13 minutes and Casey Stewart on 56 minutes helped Tadcaster Albion to a 2-0 victory over Mossley AFC and a play-off place on a dramatic finale in front of a crowd of 521.

That win saw off Colwyn Bay and also Colne, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Mariners Park against champions South Shields.

A crowd of 2,104 saw Lee Mason after 35 minutes and Carl Finnigan two minutes later give the hosts a two-goal cushion that Waqas Azam reduced just before half-time. But the Lancastrians were unable to find an equaliser which would have been enough to snatch seventh place.

As a result, Bamber Bridge will host Tadcaster in the play-off semi-final, while Prescot Cables will host Trafford in the other.

Cables head into the semi-final having suffered a 1-0 home defeat to third-bottom Radcliffe, whose Louis Mayers scored the only goal on the half-hour mark.

Brig were held to a 1-1 Irongate draw with neighbours Atherton Collieries, who led through Adam Farrell`s 39th minute effort right until the 88th minute when Lewis Nightingale equalised.

Trafford maintained form though with a comfortable 4-0 Shawe View win over Kendal Town in front of 482 with goals from Mark Derbyshire in the first half and then Paul Linwood, Aaron Burns and Jack Dorney in the second.

Elsewhere, Goole AFC were unable to finish with a flourish before heading back to the Northern Counties East League, suffering a 7-2 battering in Ossett Town`s final game in their current guise.

Nicky Boshell netted a first half hat-trick and also scored the seventh. In between, Martin Pembleton, Corey Gregory and a Terry Barwick own goal gave the 426 fans plenty to cheer – Derry Robson and Declan Rowe replying within a minute of each other in the second half.

The other half of the soon-to-be-merged Ossett team, Albion, went down 2-0 in front of 2,022 at the Flamingo Land Stadium to runners-up Scarborough Athletic, for whom James Walshaw after 32 minutes and Jimmy Beadle three minutes from time, were on the mark.

Elsewhere, Jerome Wright topped and tailed Sam Madeley`s effort to seal a 3-1 win for Ramsbottom United at Glossop North End, whose Andy Bishop had given them a second minute lead, while Aaron Martin scored all three of Brighouse Town`s goals at the Butcher`s Arms against Droylsden, who drew a blank.

And Ross Dent bagged both of Clitheroe`s goals at home to Skelmersdale United, whose Liam Davies and Scott Bakkor salvaged a draw.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague

Where next?

Saturday's South Division final day review The final day of the regular EVO-STIK League South season on Saturday had the last play-off spot to determine, top six positioning and the relegation situation, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Champagne and beers at Shields! The marquee was up and the beer was flowing on Saturday as South Shields celebrated a third successive promotion to the EVO-STIK League's top flight!

Match centre

Northern Premier League - Premier
Northern Premier League - East
Northern Premier League - Midlands
Northern Premier League - West

Latest photos

The Pitching In Northern Premier League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe