The National League is set for a dramatic close to 2025 as a full slate of fixtures promises high stakes, fierce rivalries, and plenty of talking points for fans across the country. As the year winds down, league leaders Rochdale are the team to beat, boasting an impressive seven-match winning streak in all competitions. Their relentless form has left the chasing pack scrambling to keep pace, and tonight's clash against Hartlepool United could prove pivotal in the race for promotion.
Rochdale's remarkable run has been the story of the festive period. Despite being without key players Mani Dieseruvwe and Sam Beckwith—both sidelined with injuries until the end of the season—Jimmy McNulty's side has shown no signs of slowing down. Their most recent triumph, a hard-fought away victory over Morecambe, was secured thanks to an 80th-minute curling strike from Harvey Gilmour. That win not only extended their lead at the top to two points but also gave them two games in hand over their closest rivals, putting them firmly in the driving seat for a return to League Two.
"Rochdale are showing no signs of blinking in their quest for promotion and will be expected to continue their superb form when they host play-off hopefuls Hartlepool," reported The Non-League Paper. The Dale faithful have every reason to be optimistic, with their team unbeaten since late November and displaying a resilience that has set them apart from the rest of the field.
Meanwhile, Hartlepool United find themselves in a much tougher spot. The Monkey Hangers are without a win in their previous four games and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to fellow play-off contenders Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day. That result left them four points adrift of the play-off places, having played two more matches than many of their rivals. Pressure is mounting on manager Nicky Featherstone, and with promotion hopes fading, tonight's fixture at Spotland feels like a must-win if they are to keep their season alive.
Elsewhere in the league, the battle for promotion and survival remains as fierce as ever. Forest Green Rovers, who dropped points over Christmas, are looking to bounce back at home against Truro City. The Tinners, despite recent back-to-back home wins that have given them a glimmer of hope in the relegation fight, have a woeful away record—ten losses and two draws from twelve matches on the road. Forest Green will be eager to capitalize on that vulnerability and keep their own promotion ambitions on track.
York City, another team with automatic promotion aspirations, face a tricky trip to Altrincham. The Minstermen have never beaten Altrincham in their last ten meetings, losing nine of those encounters. Their Boxing Day clash against Boston United nearly ended in defeat, but Josh Stones salvaged a 2-2 draw with a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer. If York are to challenge Rochdale at the top, they’ll need to finally break their Altrincham hoodoo tonight.
Boston United themselves have struggled to meet pre-season expectations, with just one win in their last nine matches. Their draw against York was hard-fought, especially after Ollie Banks was sent off in the 63rd minute. Brackley Town, Boston’s opponents tonight, are coming off a shock victory over Forest Green on Boxing Day but had lost seven of their previous nine games. Both sides are desperate for points to steady their seasons and avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.
At the other end of the table, Gateshead’s woes continue. The Heed have now lost ten consecutive games in all competitions and sit just one point above bottom-placed Truro City. Their 3-0 home defeat to Carlisle United on Boxing Day only deepened their crisis. Scunthorpe United, in contrast, are flying high with a perfect December—five wins from five, including a crucial victory over Hartlepool. The Iron will be looking to cement their play-off credentials when they host Gateshead tonight, in a fixture that looks, on paper, to be a mismatch.
Southend United and Sutton United meet with both sides eager to end the year on a positive note. The Shrimpers, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, have been inconsistent but managed a gritty 1-0 win away to Braintree Town on Boxing Day despite playing much of the match with ten men after Ben Goodliffe’s first-half red card. They remain in seventh place, holding onto the final play-off spot. Sutton, under new manager Chris Agutter, have shown flashes of improvement but are winless in four and sit precariously just three points above the relegation zone. Their recent 0-0 draw with Aldershot Town did little to ease the nerves at Gander Green Lane, but with a game in hand, there’s still hope for a turnaround.
Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors are both in fine form heading into their showdown at Meadow Park. Boreham Wood have surged up to second in the table after four straight league wins, most recently dispatching Wealdstone 4-0 on Boxing Day. Solihull, for their part, are coming off a record-equalling 7-1 demolition of Tamworth, the joint biggest win in club history. This clash promises fireworks as both teams look to consolidate their promotion pushes.
Other notable fixtures include Carlisle United, buoyed by a 3-0 win over Gateshead, facing Morecambe, who are still battling to escape the relegation places. Altrincham, mired in a four-match losing streak, are desperate for points against York City, while Boston United and Brackley Town both seek to reverse their recent poor runs.
Fans can catch all the action live or on demand via DAZN, with every National League fixture available for streaming. The platform has become the go-to destination for non-league enthusiasts, offering comprehensive coverage and exclusive content for subscribers. With so much at stake across the division, tonight’s matches are sure to deliver drama, goals, and perhaps a few surprises as teams look to start the new year on the right foot.
As the curtain falls on 2025, all eyes are on Rochdale to see if they can maintain their momentum and edge closer to promotion, while the rest of the league battles for every vital point. The race is far from over, and with so many teams still in the hunt for glory—or survival—the National League promises a thrilling finale to the year.
