This weekend the regular football season will draw to a close for most of non-league, with only playoffs, cup matches and a few weather-delayed fixtures still to be completed post Saturday.
There is still a lot to be decided up and down the divisions with some of our local sides still in contention for promotion or battling relegation, so here is your guide to which games have something riding on them this weekend.
Step 3 – Southern League Premier Division South
With the regular Step 1 and 2 seasons drawing to a close last weekend, and no Berkshire interest in the playoffs, we start at Step 3 in the Southern League Premier South.
Bracknell Town’s strong end-of-season form has them in fifth place in the table which means they occupy the final playoff spot going into the weekend. The Robins only need a point when they host relegation-threatened Hayes & Yeading United to retain their position, but the fixture could be a tricky one as Hayes need to win and hope other results go their way to avoid the drop. If Bracknell lose then a win for Merthyr Town, who host already relegated Harrow Borough, would see the Berkshire side fall out of the final playoff spots.
Step 4 – Isthmian League South Central Division One
In the Isthmian League South Central Division Binfield sit 19th in the table, one place and three points above the relegation zone with one game to play. The Moles know they only need a point when they host Uxbridge on Saturday to confirm their Step 4 status for another season. Binfield will only be relegated if they lose and Chipstead win their match at fourth placed Southall.
Step 5 – Combined Counties Premier North & South
In the Combined Counties League Premier North Reading City took seven points from three midweek games to confirm their place in the playoffs. Three teams are in a shootout for the final playoff place; Burnham, who have 58 points and two games left to play, Holyport, who have 58 points and one game left to play, and North Greenford, who have 53 points and two games left to play.
There are lots of permutations that could unfold over the final fixtures, but the simplest scenario is that Burnham will claim the final play-off spot if they win one of their remaining two fixtures, away at Wokingham & Emmbrook on Saturday or away at Hilltop on Tuesday. For Holyport to take the final play-off spot they need to collect more points in their final fixture at Ardley United than Burnham pick up in their final two games.
North Greenford United only come into play if they win both their remaining fixtures, and Burnham and Holyport lose all their remaining games.
And breathe.
In the Combined Counties League South, Tadley Calleva have completed their fixtures and know they will be finishing fourth in the table after two midweek wins, both against Colliers Wood United. The Romans do not yet know their playoff opponents as second-placed Jersey Bulls and third-placed Knaphill are separated by a point, both having one game to play, so they will be keeping tabs on the games involving both sides this weekend.
Step 6 – Combined Counties League Division One
In the Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California have a chance to confirm a playoff place when they welcome Spartans Youth to the ESA Ground on Saturday. The Boars will confirm a playoff spot if they win or if fifth-place Molesey drop points in their game at Woodley United.
Eversley face Molesey in their final game of the season on Tuesday in a match that could be a shootout for the playoffs. Rising Ballers Kensington are also in contention; they are eight points behind Eversley and four behind Molesey but have four games left to play, so they could still be a factor in the race for the last two playoff spots.
