Step 4 round-up: Saturday 15th April

The penultimate weekend of the season saw matters resolved at the top and bottom of the Step 4 leagues.

In the East, Stocksbridge Park Steels secured their play-off place courtesy of a 4-1 win over play-off rivals Hebburn Town. Ify Ofoegbu scored a double, with Luke Rawson and Lewis Macaskill completing the scoring for the Steels.

Long Eaton United also kept their play-off fate in their own hands with a 2-1 victory at Pontefract Collieries. Luke Cox, who ended up scoring at both ends, and Callum Minkley were on the scoresheet.

Dunston also ensured they kept themselves alive in the play-off race, courtesy of a 4-1 win over Tadcaster Albion. Carl Finnigan scored twice, with Michael Pearson and Sado Djalo were also on target.

At the bottom of the table, Shildon’s relegation fate is out of their hands, after they were beaten 2-1 at home to Sheffield. Michael Sweet had levelled for the Railwaymen almost straight away after Benni Ndlovu gave Sheffield the lead. But Luke Aldrich fired in a late winner for the Club, who secured their east division status with victory.

Carlton Town remain a point above the automatic relegation spots after falling to defeat at Lincoln United. Tobais Liversidge’s early goal proved to be the difference between the two sides. Carlton also have a game in hand.

Despite that victory, the Whites remain in a relegation play-off position, as Grantham Town were also able to record victory over Bridlington Town. Nathan Tyson scored the only goal. Bridlington remain just two points above the play-off position.

Consett will also be looking nervously over their shoulders, after they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Brighouse Town. Jack Boyle and Josh Grant scored the goals.

Ossett United are also just two points ahead, despite earning a 1-1 draw at champions Worksop Town. They had seemed on course for victory when Josh Lindley put them in front, but Liam Hughes secured a point for the champions.

In the West, the battle for second place will go to the final day. It is currently occupied by Leek Town, who won 1-0 at relegation-threatened Colne. Oliver Harrison scored the only goal of the game.

As a result of that, Colne remain just a point above Glossop North End heading into the final matchday.

Workington AFC surrendered second place after losing a thrilling match at 1874 Northwich 4-3. Scott Allison had given the Reds the lead, before Matthew Fenton and Jack Irlam put Northwich ahead. Reuben Jerome levelled just before the break for Workington.

Joe Wooley and Irlam added second half goals to make it 4-2. Allison grabbed a second for Workington to make it a nervy finale, but the Greens held on for victory. That win also secured their west division status.

Clitheroe also secured their play-off spot with a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Glossop North End. Second half goals from Sefton Gonzales and Abimbola Obasoto turned the game around for the Blues, after Keaton Mulvey put North End ahead in the first half.

Runcorn Linnets also secured their play-off place after thrashing already relegated Ramsbottom United 5-0. Lewis Doyle grabbed two, with Matthew Birchall, Ryan Brooke and Cameron Rooney also scoring.

Widnes will also be in the relegation play-off, despite rescuing a point at Kidsgrove Athletic. Sharif Deans equalised late on for the Whites, after Callum Lovatt gave Kidsgrove the lead. They would need to win with a 20-goal swing to get out of it.

Hanley have all-but secured their place in the west division next year, after drawing 0-0 at home to Witton Albion. That draw also ended any chance Albion had of reaching the play-offs.

Newcastle Town also secured their safety, after a 1-0 win over Trafford. Kyle Stubbs scored the only goal for the Castle.

City of Liverpool also saved themselves, after drawing 0-0 against Mossley on Sunday.

In the Midlands, the race for the play-offs will also be going to the final day of the season.

Sporting Khalsa are in the driving seat. They are in third place after a 3-1 victory over Dereham Town. Harry Cunningham scored two goals, and Miracle Okafor was also on the scoresheet. That result also left Dereham in the relegation play-off places. They need to win with a five-goal swing to get out of it.

Coleshill Town also did themselves a huge favour, beating play-off rivals Boldmere St Michaels to leave their play-off fate in their own hands. Frazer Doyle and Amavir Sandu scored the goals to leave them fifth in the table.

Harborough Town have also kept themselves in the hunt, after coming from 2-0 down to beat Loughborough Dynamo. Dylan Hill got the first, before a double from Paul Malone completed the comeback. They are just two points behind.

Chasetown are also still alive, despite a 0-0 draw against second-placed Halesowen Town. The Scholars are four points behind, but have a game in hand.

That result for Halesowen means the battle for second place will go to the final day. This is after Spalding United beat relegation-threatened Gresley Rovers 4-0. Stefan Broccoli started the scoring, before second half goals from Lewis Hilliard, Bradley Rolt and Nathan Stainfield completed the job.

Meanwhile, that result for Gresley Rovers leaves them outside the relegation play-off places, three points above Dereham Town, but they do have a better goal difference.

In the play-offs, Corby Town could also still get in. They are five points behind with a game in hand.

They beat the already-relegated St Neots Town 4-0. Jordan O’Brien scored two, with Daniel Jordan and Michael Jacklin also on target.

At the bottom of the table, Daventry Town’s relegation was confirmed, after a 0-0 draw at home to Hinckley. They had to win to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

Results - NPL East Division

Brighouse Town 2-0 Consett AFC
Cleethorpes Town 1-1 North Shields
Dunston 4-1 Tadcaster Albion
Grantham Town 1-0 Bridlington Town
Lincoln United 1-0 Carlton Town
Pontefract Collieries 1-2 Long Eaton United
Shildon 1-2 Sheffield
Stocksbridge Park Steels 4-1 Hebburn Town
Stockton Town 1-1 Grimsby United
Worksop Town 1-1 Ossett United

Results - NPL West Division

1874 Northwich 4-3 Workington AFC
Colne 0-1 Leek Town
Glossop North End 1-2 Clitheroe
Hanley Town 0-0 Witton Albion
Kidsgrove Athletic 1-1 Widnes
Macclesfield 2-2 Prescot Cables
Newcastle Town 1-0 Trafford
Runcorn Linnets 5-0 Ramsbottom United
Skelmersdale United 2-4 Bootle
City of Liverpool 0-0 Mossley (April 16)

Results - NPL Midlands Division

Bedworth United 2-2 Cambridge City
Chasetown 0-0 Halesowen Town
Coleshill Town 2-0 Boldmere St Michaels
Corby Town 4-0 St Neots Town
Daventry Town 0-0 Hinckley LRFC
Dereham Town 1-3 Sporting Khalsa
Loughborough Dynamo 2-3 Harborough Town
Spalding United 4-0 Gresley Rovers
Stamford 3-0 Yaxley
Sutton Coldfield Town 1-2 Shepshed Dynamo

Photo credit: Darren Murphy