Great Ayton and Wolviston will be battling for the one promotion place from Division One of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League when the curtain comes down on the season today.
Ayton have a one-point advantage over their rivals ahead of their game with Guisborough at Fountains Garth while Wolviston meet Middlesbrough at Acklam Park. Boro are all but mathematically relegated, but there is a lot for Guisborough to play for and if they take six points from the game, they will finish in sixth position and become the top reserve side in the division.
"We had our biggest gate for years last Saturday when we won the Premier Division title for the third successive season and there should be another good turn-out this afternoon," said Guisborough chairman Dave Norminton.
"The five sides leading Division One are all first teams and it would be a real feather in our caps if the Seconds ended in sixth place." Great Ayton captain David Pennock returns to his former club as do John Doyle, Tony Harrison and Colin Murray, who will line-up against his brother Ryan.
"If we win, we are promoted. It's as simple as that but it will be a tall order," said Pennock, who reports John Russell returns to the side in place of Dan Birdsall.
Wolviston can only hope to defeat bottom-of-the-table Middlesbrough and for Great Ayton to slip up. "Ayton are in the driving seat since they are one point ahead but we will give it our best shot at Middlesbrough," said Wolviston secretary Dave Dixon.
Jeff Bluckert comes in for Mark Christon at Acklam Park. Boro captain Max Cook will have Jack Conway and Richie Borwell back.
If both Great Ayton and Wolviston draw today and finish level on points, Wolviston would be promoted since they have won more games than their rivals. Morpeth have become the latest side in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League to have a points penalty imposed on them. But they have appealed against the decision before their crucial promotion clash at home to Whickham in Division A2.
"I can confirm that Morpeth's total has been reduced by 40 points, that four players have been suspended and one reprimanded for allegedly verbally abusing an umpire," said League chairman Brian Taylor.
Morpeth meet leaders Whickham on the final day of the season with 14 points separating the two teams. Benwell and Walbottle, who visit Ponteland, are tucked in between the pair, five points adrift of Whickham.
No fewer than seven clubs have had points deducted during an acrimonious season. In May, Kirkley, Newcastle City, Sacriston and Swalwell were all docked ten points for late payment of subscriptions, although at a meeting of clubs on Wednesday night the points were re-instated. Leadgate have had 20 points deducted, Lanchester 20 and now Morpeth have had their total slashed by 40.
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