It’s all to play for on what could be a dramatic final day in the Ebac Northern Football League Division 2 on Saturday with the title, promotion and play-off spots up for grabs.

League leaders Heaton Stannington will win the title and secure automatic promotion to the Northern League’s top tier if they win at play-off chasing Easington Colliery.
 
If the Stan fail to pick up all three points, Carlisle City can overtake them in the title race with a win at home to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, who are also looking to confirm a play-off spot. City have the better goal difference if the two title chasers finish level on points.
 
In terms of the play-offs, four teams from 2nd down to 5th will qualify.
 
Boldon CA, who have already completed their season, are all-but guaranteed a top five spot thanks to their huge goal difference compared to the rest of the chasing pack.
 
That then leaves two play-off spots for Easington Colliery, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion and Tow Law Town to fight over. Easington will guarantee a play-off spot with a win against Heaton but anything less and they leave the door open for both Ryton and Tow Law to overtake with wins of their own.
 
Otherwise Ryton need to match or better Tow Law’s result at Carlisle to keep a hold of their play-off position. The Lawyers, who are level on points but behind Albion in 6th spot on goal difference, host relegation-threatened Bedlington Terriers. RACA have a slightly better goal difference of +2 and a greater margin on goals scored… if it comes down to that to separate the sides!
 
And final league positions matter in the play-offs as the runners-up would host the 5th-placed side in the one-off semi-finals in midweek, while the 3rd-placed side will host the 4th-placed side. The Final, scheduled for next Saturday, will also have home advantage for the highest-positioned finalist.
 
At the other end of the table – according to the FA – “the bottom three clubs will be liable to be relegated to Step 7” but uncertainty remains as to exactly how many will get relegated. It’s complicated further by the fact the league started this season with a 21-team division.
 
Durham City (21st) and Esh Winning (20th) will finish the season as the bottom two. Washington, who travel to winless Durham, currently occupy 19th and are only a point behind Bedlington Terriers (18th) in the race to avoid the final danger spot. Therefore, the Terriers may require a win at Tow Law to secure their survival. Washy have an inferior goal difference if the two finish level on points.
 
Esh host Chester-le-Street Town (17th) in the only other fixture of the day. It could potentially be crucial for the home side if relegation comes down to PPG across other leagues at the same level!