Hebburn Town creating 'story of the season' with bid for promotion into National League North
Hebburn Town face Northern Premier League rivals Stockton Town at the Trustmark Group Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Daniel Moore believes his Hebburn Town players are creating the story of the North East non-league season by pushing for the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.
The Hornets were already ranked as one of the favourites for relegation before they started their campaign with three consecutive defeats against Hednesford Town, Guiseley and Lancaster City. However, a hard-earned 2-1 home win against Cleethorpes Town kickstarted their season and the turnaround in fortunes has led Moore and his squad firmly into contention for what would be a historic promotion into the National League North.
The Hornets head into Monday’s home game with North East rivals Stockton Town sitting just one point and one place behind current leaders FC United of Manchester after the Red Rebels reclaimed their place at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Whitby Town on Friday.
Although automatic promotion and the title is the aim for Hebburn, a play-off place that is all but secured would represent a remarkable achievement following a disappointing end to last season and a slow start to the current campaign. But no matter what happens over the coming weeks, Moore has insisted his players deserve all of the acclaim that could and should come their way.
He told The Gazette: “It’s been a long season - especially after the last three games because I was thinking I wasn’t going to be here much longer. We lost the first three and I think someone said to me we were 250/1 to win the league after those games - and I think that probably sums us up to be honest with you.
“I know other teams like Gateshead and South Shields are having amazing moments but for me, my players are the story of the season when I know what our club runs on and how it’s ran and what we have achieved regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season. I think in the North East, that group of players we have had this season, they’ve been unbelievable and they can be the story of the season for the region, without question.”
Moore will consider handing starts to Jack Donaghy, Olly Martin and Liam Murray after they came off the bench to make a big impact during last weekend’s home win against Lancaster City.