WARRINGTON Town’s first ever season in the Evo-Stik Premier Division comes to a close on Saturday as they travel to Matlock Town in their final game.

Paul Carden’s side have fallen just short of finishing in the play-offs but are guaranteed to finish in the top 10.

Depending on results around them, Yellows could finish the season as high as eighth if they can secure victory on Saturday.

A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION:

LIKE Warrington, Matlock have seen their own play-off challenge end in recent weeks.

The Gladiators sit ninth in the table, one point and one place above Yellows, ahead of Saturday’s game at the DCJ Group Insurance Arena.

Matlock have a pretty solid home record having only lost four times in their own back yard this season, with only champions Blyth, second-placed Spennymoor and Derbyshire rivals Buxton having lost fewer games at home.

However, it could be said their weakness lies in defence. Of all the sides in the top half of the table, only Ashton United (78) have conceded more than Matlock’s 57.

ONES TO WATCH:

Matlock Town – Marcus Dinanga: The 19-year-old striker has been a revelation in front of goal for the Gladiators this season.

Since joining on loan from Championship side Burton Albion, Dinanga has hit 24 league goals including 21 from open play.

Warrington Town – Josh Askew: The left-back has been ever-present for Yellows since arriving on loan from Blackburn Rovers in January.

His pace and direct running on the overlap mean he is also a threat in attack as well as fulfilling his defensive duties.

LAST MEETING:

Warrington Town 5 Matlock Town 3:

Saturday, August 27, 2016:

BOTH sides thought attack was the best form of defence as Yellows came out on top in a thriller at Cantilever Park.

After Marc Newsham and Marcus Dinanga had put Matlock 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes, Ciaran Kilheeney reduced the deficit before half-time.

Ben Deegan then scored twice either side of Newsham’s second to level the scores at 3-3 before James McCarten and Mike Grogan swung the game Warrington’s way.

This was the Yellows line-up that day: Wills, Grogan, Clancy, O’Donnell, McCarten, Winder (Rudge), Harries (Codling), Kinsella, Kilheeney, Deegan (Dean), Metcalfe. Subs not used: Turner, Nicholas.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Deegan scored twice as Yellows beat Matlock 5-3 in their last meeting in August. Picture by John Hopkins.