It’s a shoot-out this week for The Hillmen, as Glossop North End and Northwich Victoria play each other twice in 4 days to end their scheduled league seasons, with 3rd place in the Evo-Stik League First Division North, and a play-off home tie, at stake.
Chris Willcock’s side travel to play Northwich on Wednesday night, and then host the same side at Surrey Street on Saturday. The Vics hold the advantage, sitting two points clear of Glossop North End on 80 points. Glossop North End have 78, and on 74 points Burscough are ready to pounce should either side slip up. Spennymoor secured a home play-off tie against the 5th place team last week and sit in second place with 91 points.
Whoever finishes 3rd will host the team finishing 4th, whilst those in 5th place will travel to Spennymoor next Tuesday. So what are the permutations?
If The Hillmen are to secure a home advantage in the Play Offs they must avoid defeat in the two games with Northwich Victoria and in addition must win one of the matches. A Glossop loss in either would means Vics finish 3rd.
A win in either game for Glossop North End would ensure that Burscough could not catch them, and set up a play-off tie with Northwich, meaning the sides would play each other 3 times in 8 days.
Two draws would give Burscough a glimmer of hope of a 4th place finish, but they would need to increase their goal difference by at least 12 in their games at Droylsden and at home to Scarborough. Should Glossop North End lose one game and draw the other, or worse lose both, The Linnets could overtake. Burscough play at Droylsden tonight (Tuesday), so the Glossop players will know more going into Wednesday’s game.
Northwich will be a tough proposition. They were in the top two for much of the season, but suffered a 9 point deduction due to fielding an illegible player. This was followed by a slight loss of form, but they are now on a 5 game winning streak and advertised their good health with a 3-0 win over Spennymoor last Saturday.
The two sides fought out a tough FA Cup tie in 2014, with the first game and replay finishing in a stalemate, Glossop North End eventually winning on penalties. Similarly, there is likely to be little between them in the coming days with both teams fancying that they might host the other next week.
For those unable to make the game, there will be full match commentary on Hillmen Radio.
