Guisborough and Marske will know a lot more about their chances of winning the Northern League title after a pivotal Easter weekend, which sees Billingham Synthonia play a pair of future-defining fixtures down at the bottom.
Table-topping Guisborough take their four-point lead in Division One to Durham City – the last team to beat them an astonishing 20 games ago in November – tomorrow before hosting fourth-placed Marske in a high stakes derby on Easter Monday.
Guisborough boss Chris Hardy said: “It’s a weekend we’ve got to try and enjoy.
“There’s a lot of pressure on in terms of other teams dropping points during the week, which has shifted the ball about the court.
“I still think the title is in Shildon’s hands. But if we can beat Durham City and something gives between Marske and West Auckland tomorrow, that can only strengthen our cause.
“I think we need to take 10 points from our last 12, which would takes us to 90 points.
“If another team finishes on more than 90 points, they deserve to win the title.”
Marske’s Easter programme could not have been much tougher as they face the top two, but they are hanging in there after rallying from three goals down to draw 3-3 at Sunderland RCA on Tuesday.
Marske manager Jarrett said: “This weekend is do or die for us. If we do well out of it, we’ve got a fighting chance.
“If we don’t, it will decide whether we finish fourth or fifth. That’s the bottom line, but it’s a good opportunity for us and it’s an exciting time for the league.
“West will be a physical game at home and Guisborough are a well-drilled footballing side.
“We are still grinding results out, but we’ve got to be on it.”
Billingham Synthonia boss Conrad Hillerby says his third-bottom side need to give everything and more in their Easter games, at home to Sunderland RCA tomorrow and at Penrith on Monday.
Hillerby said: “These are probably the two biggest games in the club’s history for a long time. We’ve done well to get ourselves into a position where we can still stay up.
“We need six points from these last nine, realistically. The players have got to give it their all.”
Stevie Huggins, Matty Osmond and Dan Dillon will all make their Synners returns.
Unbeaten in five, Thornaby will look to cement sixth place in Division Two as they host second-placed Team Northumbria tomorrow and visit Stokesley on Monday.
They have a full-strength squad and manager Paul Edwards said: “We’ve showed a lot of togetherness in these last five games.
“We know how to win and we’ve had quite a settled side.”
Stokesley have injury problems to contend with at Birtley tomorrow before they entertain Thornaby on Monday.
Main striker Jack Bradbury is missing and attacking midfielders Steve Roberts and Dean Wilson are out for the season.
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