Preview: Warrington Town vs Bamber Bridge
It all comes down to this. Warrington Town face Bamber Bridge on Monday afternoon, with a place in the National League North on the line.
Town booked their spot in the play-off final after a resounding 4-1 win over Matlock Town on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Brig progressed after beating Gainsborough Trinity on penalties.
It is the third straight time the Yellows have reached the final. They won the final in 2019, but missed out on promotion after a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Kings Lynn Town in a one-off ‘Super Play-Off’.
Last year, the Yellows were narrowly beaten by Scarborough Athletic at the Flamingo Land Stadium.
In the two league games they have played against each other this season, Brig won the first encounter 3-2 back in September, while Mark Beesley’s side won the second at Cantilever Park last month.
Team News
Midfielder Jay Harris continues to be monitored after missing Tuesday night’s win against Matlock Town.
Connor Woods should feature, despite coming off with a slight niggle. Josh Amis and Tom Hannigan should also be available for selection after they were brought off as a precautionary measure in midweek.
Mark Beesley preview
Manager Mark Beesley praised the impact of Luke Duffy after Tuesday’s win over Matlock Town.
Duffy grabbed two goals and an assist during the victory, and Beesley has backed the young forward to develop even further moving forward.
“He’s been getting better and better,” he said.
“We all know what he’s got, but we’ve got to remember that the kid missed a year of football due to Covid.
“His growth and development this year has been outstanding. He’s infectious, and when he gets the ball everyone is off their feet because he has that bit of magic in him.”
Matty McDonald preview
Midfielder Matty McDonald says the players need to focus on their own game ahead of Monday’s all-important Northern Premier League play-off final.
Last season, McDonald was plagued by injury during the 2021/22 campaign and subsequently spent time on loan at Bootle in a bid to return to fitness.
He says that spurred him on to try and achieve the ultimate goal of promotion this year, after falling at the final hurdle in the last two campaigns.
“It was tough last season, not playing much and then watching the lads in the play-off final just fall short,” he said.
“That gave me extra motivation to go and have a good season personally, and then go and do one better this year and get up to the league above.
“Obviously the goal is to play as high as we can, and it would be great for that to happen this year.
“We know the goal now is just to win the last game, and I think the lads have earned it over the course of the season. We need to go and make sure we get what we have worked all year for.”
Match Information
Monday’s Northern Premier League fixture at Cantilever Park kicks off at 3pm, and tickets have now sold out.
For supporters who cannot attend, live audio coverage will be available via the Yellows Mixlr channel.
Buy tickets for Saturday’s game against Bamber Bridge!
