Match Preview - Durham United (H) - Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 28th February 2026 - Kick-off 15:00pm

On paper Saturday afternoon's Division 2 clash between home side Park View AFC and the visitors Durham United looks like a banker of a home win. But as many teams have found in what is a tough, tough League there's no such thing.

That said the points are almost certainly more important to Park View after they faltered in midweek with a 2 - 0 home loss to Seaham Red Star. That game was an opportunity that Park View had to move back into the play-off positions.

They failed to take it and now they're involved in a real battle for those coveted possible promotion routes. They currently sit sixth in the table on 57 points from 31 games. That's the same number of points and games as FC Hartlepool.

Seaham Red Star are seventh and also have 57 points from 32 games. The three teams only separated by goal difference showing how tight it all is. Park View can ill afford to slip up at home to a team below them in the standings.

Park View are buoyed by the return of top scorer Stephen Siyanbola who's brief period at Blyth Town didn't work out. They need him to hit the ground running as goals are their concern at the moment having only scored 47 in the league.

Defensively they've been superb with 15 clean sheets meaning they've only conceded 27 which is the equal best in the division and what their league position is built upon.

But goals win matches and that's what Park View are going to need if they are to seriously threaten the top of the league.

Durham United despite being deducted three points have still managed to consolidate their position in their rookie Northern League Division. They have 12 wins and 4 draws giving them 37 points which is good enough for 16th place.

They are though at least points wise well clear of the relegation battle. Statistics wise they have scored 51 goals and conceded 73. It's clear to see where their issues are. Defensively they need to tighten up if they are to move up the table.

They do have one of the league's leading marksmen in Phil Kay who has netted 16 times and Tomas Boothroyd has scored 12 goals in all competitions. Two players Park View will have to watch carefully.

Back on the 2nd of August last year the team's met for the first time in the Northern League. It took a late, late show from Park View to grab a point as they scored twice in the last five minutes to level the game at 3 - 3.

Durham may well settle for the same result but for Park View they need to win and will be hoping their defence is solid again and they can find enough up front to edge the game which should be an entertaining one.