Hornets gear up for another title crack

HEBBURN Town manager Daniel Moore is preparing for every eventuality as his side aim to claim the Northern Premier League East Division title with a win at Sheffield tomorrow.

The Hornets could have put the seal on a first ever promotion into step three of the non-league pyramid when they fell to a surprise home defeat against Ossett United in midweek as the visitors secured their East Division status. However, a run of 11 wins in 12 games has meant Hebburn are still in the driving seat and will be crowned champions if they can match second-placed Stockton Town’s result in their visit to Belper Town.

Moore said: “We are positive and we know what we need to do.

“We didn’t do a lot wrong against Ossett, we conceded one goal from a penalty but we will be positive and we know we have got to win.

“It’s not very often you get two chances at a league title. However, because of the run we have been on, we have put ourselves in that position so they deserve another crack at it and we will give everything we can to do what we have to do. It doesn’t matter how you do it, if we get three points on Saturday we will be champions. On the flip side, if we have to prepare for the play-offs on Tuesday, we will do that because that’s football.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Dunston UTS would secure a home tie in the play-off semi-finals with a win at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Even a win may not be required for Jon Mcdonald’s men if play-off opponents Pontefract Collieries are unable to take maximum points from their visit to Newton Aycliffe.

Ashington manager Ian Skinner will bring down the curtain on his reign with a home game against North Ferriby and Consett will hope to welcome back several players when they host Bridlington Town.

Morpeth Town round off a mixed season in the Premier Division with a home game against already relegated Stafford Rangers. The Highwaymen will hope for a repeat of their previous outing at Craik Park after they claimed a 4-0 win against a Worksop Town side that are hoping to bring a successful end to their play-off push.