Scarborough Athletic set for FC United of Manchester crunch clash as NPL Premier play-off battle hots up

In-form Scarborough Athletic will face on of their closest rivals for a NPL Premier Division play-off berth when they host FC United of Manchester tomorrow.
Boro boss Jono GreeningBoro boss Jono Greening
Boro boss Jono Greening

Jono Greening's side have gone nine NPL games without defeat, and have only lost once in their last 13 league matches, and that was a narrow 1-0 loss at title-chasers South Shields on New Year's Day.

This excellent run, under the stewardship of former Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and West Brom midfielder Greening has seen them rise to fourth in the league standings, in the third of the four play-off spots, with fellow fans-run club FC United of Manchester currently lying sixth, six points behind the Seadogs.

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Boro look set to have a full squad except the injured Brad Plant for Saturday's clash, with a derby showdown against Whitby Town in the North Riding FA Senior Cup quarter-finals following on Tuesday night, 7.45pm kick-off.

The Seadogs will be eager to avenge their 6-0 loss at FC United back in September.

A win this Saturday would be another huge step towards securing a play-off spot, and would cause the top three, Matlock Town, Shields and Buxton, to look anxiously over their shoulders at Greening's side.

After Saturday's game, Boro face a trip to 16th-placed Mickleover then have a Saturday off before playing host to Stafford Rangers, currently in ninth spot, on Saturday March 12.

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The Seadogs hit the road a week later to tackle Atherton, who are 14th at the moment, then on Saturday March 26 high-flying Matlock visit the Flamingo Land Stadium.

Boro fans cheer on their team at the Flamingo Land StadiumBoro fans cheer on their team at the Flamingo Land Stadium
Boro fans cheer on their team at the Flamingo Land Stadium

Away games at relegation-battlers Nantwich and Ashton follow on April 2 and 9 respectively, and on Easter weekend Boro entertain Gainsborough on April 16 and then face a tough clash at Morpeth on Easter Monday, April 18.

The final game of the regular NPL Premier season sees Radcliffe heading to Boro, but the hosts will be hoping that their campaign

Remaining Boro NPL Premier Division matches (home matches in bold), all 3pm kick-offs

Saturday 19 Feb H FC United of Manchester

Boro players and fans celebrate a goal against GranthamBoro players and fans celebrate a goal against Grantham
Boro players and fans celebrate a goal against Grantham

Sat 26 Feb A Mickleover

Sat 12 Mar H Stafford Rangers

Sat 19 Mar A Atherton Collieries

Sat 26 Mar H Matlock Town

Sat 2 Apr A Nantwich Town

Sat 9 Apr A Ashton United

Sat 16 Apr H Gainsborough Trinity

Mon 18 Apr A Morpeth Town

Sat 23 Apr H Radcliffe.