1874 NORTHWICH and Winsford United now know what is needed to join Northwich Victoria in the play-offs.
Vics’ second-place finish was confirmed on Easter Monday when they missed out on the Midland League Premier Division title and one automatic promotion spot to Hanley Town.
They will have home advantage in the play-offs and in their opening game will host the side which finishes fifth, although firstly they have to complete their league campaign at home to Coton Green on Saturday.
Third-placed 1874 Northwich need a draw on their visit to 14th-placed Stourport Swifts on the final weekend to guarantee their place in the top five.
And one win from their final two games would nail a play-offs spot for fifth-placed Winsford United.
If other results go their way, 1874 and Blues may have already secured enough points to extend their season into a knockout battle for the one remaining play-offs spot.
Winsford’s first chance will come away to seventh-placed Brocton on Thursday night and then their league programme concludes at home to relegated bottom side Studley in Saturday.
Also still in a position to be able to finish in the all-important spots are Brocton, sixth-placed Dudley Town and fourth-placed AFC Wolverhampton City who all play their final league matches on Saturday.
Dale Jennings’ double-whammy sealed the Northwich ‘derby’ for 1874 on Easter Monday and ended Vics’ title hopes.
The 33-year-old former Tranmere Rovers, Barnsley and Bayern Munich reserves forward netted twice in the second half.
While that kept 1874’s play-offs hopes alive, Vics’ aim of finishing in top spot was vanquished by the result and also by Hanley securing a last-minute draw at Abbey Hulton United, putting the Stoke side four points clear and crowning them as champions.
Winsford took their play-offs potential into the final week with a bank holiday 2-0 win at Whitchurch Alport thanks to strikes from Ste Jenyons (3mins) and Niza Chilufya (59mins).
Elsewhere, Witton Albion consolidated their mid-table position in Northern Premier League West with an impressive 4-0 success at Nantwich Town.
Tom Hoyle bagged the first two goals in the 32nd and 48th minutes, and then Joe Edwards completed the task with strikes in the 70th and 85th minutes.
Witton are ninth on the ladder with three games to go, a closing run which starts with hosting Congleton Town on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Barnton will finish their season between 10th and 12th in North West Counties League First Division South.
They sat 10th after Easter Monday’s 3-1 defeat at champions Runcorn Town.
Aaron Hart’s 83rd minute goal halved the deficit but Kieran Alley’s response two minutes later restored the two-goal lead and sealed matters.
The Villagers will conclude affairs at home to third-placed Stockport Georgians on Saturday, April 18.
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