Stage set for Northern Premier League play-off final

The two sides finished second and third respectively, and will play for the right to join South Shields at Step 2 next season.

The Yellows came through their semi-final 4-1 against Matlock Town, thanks in large part to a blistering first half performance which saw them go 4-0 up ahead 42 minutes, and manager Mark Beesley was full of praise for the performance.

“It was outstanding. To a man, we were unplayable at times,” he said post-match.

"To be 4-0 at half-time, I was a little bit disappointed to be honest because it could've been six or seven!

"The finishing was outstanding, the movement, the space. We spoke about a game plan and they went out and did it to a tee.

"We had that calmness in midfield, that pass. We knew where we could try and hurt them, getting the ball to our wide players. We had a great platform up front and countered really well.”

Meanwhile, Brig had to do it the hard way against Gainsborough Trinity. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and they also had to play with 10 men for a large portion of the second half and beyond after Nathan Pond was sent off just before the hour mark.

But James Pradic, who only joined the club on an emergency loan earlier in April, was able to keep out Isaac Rice’s penalty, allowing Macauley Wilson to win the game for Brig as they converted all five of their spot kicks.

Manager Jamie Milligan admitted the red card changed the game, but that he was pleased to see his side advance.

“Overall I felt we probably deserved it, even with 10 men,” he said.

I know we didn’t create much with 10 men, but we defended really well.

“We started off well, went one goal up and then conceded. Listen, Gainsborough are a good team, they’ve got a good manager and good staff. They’re a decent team - they didn’t finish in that league position for no reason.

“I’d have liked to have seen how it would have panned out had we kept 11 men on the pitch, but the lads dug in and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them. They defended well, every single one of them.

“The red card changed things, we had to shuffle things about, but the lads just put an unbelievable shift in and they’ve been an absolute credit since minute one this season.”

Also taking place over the weekend will be the three Step 4 promotion play-offs.

In the NPL East Division, Stockton Town host Long Eaton United on Saturday. Meanwhile Workington AFC take on Runcorn Linnets in the NPL West Division, and Halesowen Town face Spalding United in the NPL Midlands Division final.

Fixtures - 29 April

Midlands Division

Halesowen Town v Spalding United

West Division

Workington AFC v Runcorn Linnets

East Division

Stockton Town v Long Eaton United

Fixtures - 1 May

Premier Division

Warrington Town v Bamber Bridge

Picture Credit: Sean Walsh / Bamber Bridge