Poppies in the thick of it as National League North heads for a dramatic conclusion

The competitive nature of the division has left a large number of clubs with plenty to play for with AFC Fylde and King’s Lynn Town battling it out for the title while a number of teams are still hopeful of sneaking into the play-offs at the death.

There is a lot on the line and that is certainly the case at Aggborough where Kettering Town will lock horns with old rivals Kidderminster Harriers.

A few weeks ago, Kidderminster’s play-off hopes looked dead and buried.

But an eight-match unbeaten run and five wins in a row has left them with a chance of securing a top-seven finish on the final day.

They need to win and hope others above them slip up while the Poppies also know a victory for them will guarantee safety as they battle it out with the likes of Blyth Spartans, Farsley Celtic and Bradford (Park Avenue) to avoid finishing in the dropzone.

It’s the sort of day where the fans’ reactions as the day goes on will tell the players on the field exactly what is going on elsewhere.

And Kettering boss Lee Glover insists it’s impossible for scorelines from other grounds to not have a direct effect on how teams go about their business for the final 90 minutes of the regular season.

“There will be a massive edge to the game,” the Poppies manager said.

“I think it will be a really big crowd and Kidderminster will be looking at other results as well because they are trying to get in the play-offs.

“I think it could really end up being a stand up fight, depending on how the results are going.

“Everyone will be aware of what’s happening elsewhere.

“It will start as a normal game but as it goes on, results from elsewhere might influence what’s going on and how people approach it.”

Kettering will start the day two points clear of Blyth, who sit in the final relegation spot and host Hereford in a must-win final game.

Kidderminster, meanwhile, sit in ninth place but are just one point adrift of both Scarborough Athletic and Buxton who currently occupy the last two play-off spots.