STALYBRIDGE Celtic go into the last game of the season with little to play for in the National League North, while opponents Boston United need a win at Bower Fold this Saturday to guarantee a place in the play-offs (KO 15:00 BST).
Sitting 12th in the table, Stalybridge have little to gain or lose, though a top-half finish is possible should they win and Alfreton Town lose.
Boston are fifth but just a point ahead of Nuneaton Town, who host relegated Hednesford Town on Saturday and boast a much better goal difference.
The Pilgrims will also hope for some revenge after the 3-0 defeat inflicted by Stalybridge at York Street in February.
The meeting will see two of the league’s form sides go head to head. With 11 points from six games, and a 2-0 home victory against second-placed North Ferriby United still fresh in the memories, the Celts are in one of their best periods this season.
Even more impressive after the a run in March that saw them lose four on the trot, Boston have 13 points from their last six, including a crucial 2-1 home victory over Nuneaton last weekend.
Liam Watson’s men will be looking to stifle the league’s second highest scorer Dayle Southwell, who has an impressive haul of 21 goals for the Pilgrims this season.
Due to the damage the four successive losses in March did to their goal difference, Dennis Greene’s team must at least match Nuneaton’s result to finish fifth.
Boston have struggled to reach the play-offs since they entered the league in 2010, but finished third last season.
They’ve found this campaign more of a test and will be desperate for the chance of promotion back into the National League.
Stalybridge have fought against relegation for the last couple of years, but after a solid season will hope to establish themselves as a decent National League North side. A top-half finish would help to reflect that.
Provisional Squads:
Stalybridge Celtic: McMillan, Wylie, Wisdom, Hughes, Higgins, Wright, Joyce, Mudimu, Tames, Osei, Farrell, Chalmers, Crowley, Shaw, Burns, McKenna.
Boston United: Spiess, Mills, Brown, Piergianni, McEvoy, Garner, Roberts, Hilliard, Felix, Southwell, Rollins, Burgess, Jones, Robinson, Johnson, Lavelle-Moore.
By Thom Whyte
@Thom_Whyte
You can follow Thom, on Twitter @Thom_Whyte, for live updates from 14:30 BST
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