Most teams have now played half their matches in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division so it’s time to see how things stand with two possible promotion places available.
You’ll know by now that the FA are planning to introduce to new divisions to the Non League Pyramid next season at steps 3 and 4, one controlled by the Evo Stik Southern League and the other by the Bostik Isthmian League.
All of this means in a round about way that their are an extra 12 promotion spots available from step 5 (equivalent of the Hellenic League Premier Division) on top of the 14 that are available annually from the 14 step 5 divisions.
It is understood that the 12 teams will be made up from the 12 best second placed sides in each division based on a Points Per Game ratio (PPG) which is handily collated in a table by thebootifulgame.uk.
What does that mean in the Hellenic?
Despite a slight blip that saw two consecutive draws in November, Highworth Town (22 games) remain the side to catch in the Hellenic Premier Division, 10 points clear of second placed Thatcham Town albeit having played a game more.
It’s not inconceivable that Thatcham (21 games) or third placed Bracknell Town (20 games) might catch the leaders (particularly as the Robins have to play them twice) but the reality right now is that it’s second place that is the battle ground.
Bracknell and Wantage Town (21 games) both have 47 points while Flackwell Heath (21 games) in fifth are on 43 points.
- Highworth Town (2.74 ppg)
- Thatcham Town (2.26 ppg) – currently second in the Hellenic Premier
- Bracknell Town (2.28 ppg)
- Wantage Town (2.16 ppg)
- Flackwell Heath (2.11 ppg)
On current PPG, Bracknell and Thatcham both currently sit inside the 12 best second placed side while both Wantage and Flackwell would also qualify by virtue of a better ratio than the current 12th best side – Stowmarket Town of the Eastern Counties League.
