Match Preview - Newcastle University (H) - Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 21st March 2026 - Kick-Off 15:00pm

by Jeff King

Another day another home game and another one that Park View AFC have to view as a must win game. In recent weeks a lack of goals means draws have not been turned into vital wins that would have put them in a better position.

They are still sitting in the final play-off position of fifth but most teams around them have games in hand which means that Park View cannot afford to slip up. Even Saturday's opponents could have a say in the final play-off race.

Newcastle University are having a very decent season indeed. Postponements have meant that they have fallen away in the games played column. But if they were to win their games in hand they could actually overtake Park View.

Which means they have to be given the respect they deserve. They are also in decent form their 2-1 win at home against Sunderland RCA meaning they have won four and lost two of their last six league games.

For good measure they are also still in both Northern League Cups and have reached the semi-final of the Northumberland Senior Cup meaning they have an awful lot of games to fit in before the end of the season.

They are now in 9^th place in the League having 56 points from 33 games with 16 wins 8 draws and 9 defeats. Overall goals wise they have scored 53 in the league and conceded 38. Top scorer is Kane Morris with 10 and Matty Foster has 7.

Park View's latest 0-0 draw in midweek against a Boldon CA side that had lost six in a row was disappointing and frustrating but it was a point and one is better than none. However, points and draws need to be turned into wins.

Park View's current fifth place comes from 37 games and 66 points with 19 wins 9 draws and 9 defeats. They have scored 51 goals and only conceded 30. Stephen Siyanbola is their top marksman with 12 netted and Charlie Loveday has 7.

Their defence continues to be their strength. Another clean sheet on Wednesday made it an incredible 19 in 37 league games is something to be proud of and their hope is it can continue right through to the end of the season.

But it's at the other end they need to be addressing. If they can rectify that then they have every chance of making the play-offs for the second season in a row which would be quite an achievement.

When the sides met at Essity Park back on 11^th of October last year it finished as a 1-1 draw. Siyanbola putting Park View in front early in the second half before Ryan Redford got the equaliser for the home side.

Both teams will be looking to go one better on Saturday which has the usual 3:00pm kick-off at The Riverside.