It's do-or-die for Newry City with promotion on the line against Dollingstown

It all comes down to the final game of the season for Newry City, as they travel to Planters Park on Friday night knowing that a win over Dollingstown will earn them promotion to the Playr-Fit Championship for next season.

However, anything other than a win won’t be enough, and City will miss out on a top four place.

Stuart King’s men spent most of the season in the title race, alongside Moyola Park – who have the title as good as secured, as they have a three-point gap and a +20 goal difference advantage heading into the final round of games – but Newry’s form has let them down of late, with just two wins in their last seven league games.

With the slip in form, Newry have seen themselves jumped in the table by Dollingstown, Strabane Athletic and Rathfriland, and head into the final round of games sitting outside the promotion zone in fifth place.

Dollingstown and Strabane sit on 46 points, Rathfriland on 45 points and Newry on 44 points. Luckily, from Newry’s perspective, they won’t be reliant on other results, as they know a win will see them jump Dollingstown and regardless of whatever happens elsewhere they will secure a top four place.

However, a draw won’t be enough, as their goal difference is 18 goals worse off than Rathfriland’s.

If Newry are to get the required result on Friday night, they will be looking to their two top scorers, Keith Dalton and Lee Newell to perform. At the other end, Albert Watson has made a welcome return from injury to bolster the defence, whilst Darren King recently re-joined the squad, adding quality and experience.

Unlike Newry, Dollingstown come into the game in fine form. They’ve won four of their last five games and have only taken one loss across their last 11 league games.

Henry Cromack is their dangerman, as he has found the back of the net in six of his side’s last seven games.