THE Northern Premier League play-offs begin tonight with South Shields, Marske United, Stockton Town and Shildon all vying for promotion. 

Kevin Phillips’ side had been battling Buxton for a place in National League North throughout the season but fell short of the title by three points settling for second place in the Premier Division. They will host Warrington Town with Scarborough Athletic and Matlock in playing out the leagues other semi-final. 

Their hopes of winning the league were virtually over heading into their last game of the regular season against already relegated Grantham Town which they lost 1-0. 

The game will be a one legged semi-final with the winner heading into the final on Saturday 30th April. Promotion would see Shields become a National League side joining the likes of Darlington and Spennymoor Town in the division above.  

Former Sunderland striker Phillips said: “I’ve had plenty of experience of play-offs in my career. Everyone will say that we have a home advantage but in the play-offs, it doesn’t really count for an awful lot because it’s about who turns up on the night, who’s brave, who doesn’t bottle it, who plays to their game plan, who plays the football match and not the occasion.  

“There is a lot of components you have to take into consideration and of course Warrington will want to come and spoil the party. They’ll fancy their chances but it’s up to us as individuals. 

“I’ve said to them (the players) it’s about you. We’ll get you ready collectively as a team but you individually need to get yourself ready. Whatever takes you there, you’ve got to that from now until Tuesday night. If you do that combined together, we can beat anyone on any given day. 

“We all want the same thing and we’ve got a fantastic opportunity. Our destiny is in our own hands. As the other teams in the play-offs will be thinking, you win your next two matches, you get promoted. It’s as simple as that.” 

In the Northern Premier League East Division, the North-East makes up 75% of the play-offs with Marske United battling Shildon tonight for a place in the Premier Division. Like Shields, the Seasiders had been for the title before but lost to eventual title winners Liversedge over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. 

Shildon ended the season in fifth place and head to Mount Pleasant for a place in the final tonight.  

Stockton Town, who are playing out of their first season in the Northern Premier League after last year’s promotion alongside Shildon, will make the trip to Cleethorpes Town who finished the season in third place after beating Brighouse Town 3-1 at the weekend.  

Anchors manager Michael Dunwell said: “It’s a one off game, I think I said when we played them a few weeks ago, both teams were probably happy with a point at the time. Neither team really went for it so it will be totally different game. 

“On Tuesday obviously both teams are looking to win and it’s going to be a really tough game. We’re full of confidence, the morale in the squad is really high so we couldn’t be in a better position. We’ll go down there with a full squad and give it a real good go.” 

Dunwell continued: “We fully deserved where we finished up as well. Barring a couple of odd performances in the last six weeks, we could have got that third spot but it doesn’t matter. We’re in the play-offs. That was our aim at Christmas and we’ve done that.” 

The winners of the play-offs will join the likes of Whitby Town in the Premier Division for next season.