In the Combined Counties League Division One Amersham Town have already secured the title but the end-of-season playoffs could have a strong Berkshire feel as there a handful of local sides looking to qualify in a very tight division.
Currently best placed are Berks County who sit third in the table on 72 points with seven games remaining. Due to the close competition in the division, another 13 points is still needed to be mathematically certain of a playoff place but, in reality, nine to 10 points from their remaining games should be enough. However, the Swords will be looking to maximise their points in order to finish second or third and secure a home semi-final. They are currently 10 points behind second-place British Airways but Berks County do have three games in hand over their high-flying rivals.
Eversley & California are leading the chasing pack in the race for a playoff home semi-final. The Boars are currently 3rd in the table with 67 points and eight games remaining, meaning they have a game in hand over Berks County. Even if a second or third-place finish proves elusive, they are still well-placed to make the playoffs, although they are only two points ahead of sixth place Molesey so there is still work to be done.
In their debut season at Step 6, Yateley United currently occupy fifth place and the final playoff spot, although their position is the most precarious. They have 67 points, so are level with Eversley & California, but they only have three games left to play. This means that even if they win all their remaining fixtures, they will be relying on their rivals Molesey (sixth with 65 points and seven games remaining) and Rising Ballers Kensington (eighth with 60 points and eight games remaining) to slip up.
Langley are seventh in the table with 65 points, but their playoff hopes are quite slim as they only have two games left to play. This means that even if the MerryMakers won both their remaining fixtures, they would need at least three of their rivals to drop a lot of points for them to sneak into the playoffs.
Woodley United currently sit 15th in the table with 40 points, but due to the number of games they have left, they can in theory still make the playoffs. However, as they have 11 games to play in the final three weeks of the season, surviving their fixture schedule will be hard enough. The Kestrels are not mathematically safe from relegation yet, but their current points total should be enough to see them avoid the drop.
Windsor are 18th in the table with 36 points from 37 games. They are 16 points clear of the drop zone which should be enough especially as it is unlikely a full complement of three teams will be relegated, but another couple of results in their remaining 5 fixtures will ease any lingering nerves.
AFC Aldermaston still have a chance in the Wessex League
In the Wessex League Division One AFC Aldermaston are 4 points adrift at the bottom of the table. They have 12 points from their 33 games this season and need to start recording some wins if they are to get out of trouble. In theory, three teams could be relegated at the end of the season, but due to there not being a full complement of teams coming up from Step 7 and spaces to be filled further up they pyramid, that is unlikely to happen.
However, to get out of trouble, the Atom Men will need to reel in at least one of the clubs above them and hope that is enough to earn them a reprieve. Andover Town are their closest team to them in the table being 4 points ahead of Aldermaston having played a game more.
Next: Take a look at the state of play from Step 1 to Step 5
