With just a few weeks of the season left for most of Berkshire’s grassroots football club’s, it’s the old ‘squeeky bum time’ for a few as they battle to stay in their divisions and avoid the trap door.
It’s been a buoyant time over the last few season in Berkshire where we’ve mostly been able to report on promotions and play-off challenges – if I recall, on the men’s side at least last season, not a single side was relegated.
Things are a little different this time around with a few clubs in trouble. So let’s break it down (as it’s quite busy – this piece will be split in two with the women’s leagues to follow).
In the (relegation) zone
Vanarama National League Maidenhead United currently occupy the relegation zone but have it in their hands to survive. Two brilliant and unexpected wins in a row against Tamworth and FC Halifax Town mean the Magpies just need to keep winning. The difficulty though is that while Alan Devonshire’s side have been fantastic at taking points against sides in the top half of the table, it’s the teams around them they’ve struggled against. Their final four games are against one side directly below and two directly above – plus Woking. The equation is simple, win and they stay up.
Thatcham Town are also very much in the mire in the Southern League Premier Division South and survival chances seem slim for Yashwa Romeo’s men. In fact if Larkhall Athletic take a point against Falmouth Town on Tuesday night and Thatcham fail to beat Bideford, it will be game over and a return to Step 5 for the West Berkshire side.
Berks County in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North need a favour from North Greenford United. If they are to survive after a first season at Step 5, they need the Ealing side to beat Risborough Rangers by five clear goals.
Woodley United are making a late run for safety in the CCL Division One. The Kestrels are picking up points and have lost just once in their last five – winning three times. Jordan Blake’s side need to keep winning, but with four games left and games in hand including two against play-off chasing Hillingdon Borough they might just make this season’s Great Escape.
Nervously looking down
With three to play in the Southern League Premier Division South, Bracknell Town have a bit of work to do after three straight league defeats. The Robins are five points above the drop zone so one win will make them safe but in Havant & Waterlooville, Walton & Hersham and Sholing, Bobby Wilkinson’s side to not have a straightforward run in.
If Binfield beat or draw with Guernsey at home on Saturday in the Isthmian League South Central Division One, they are safe – as long as (assuming a draw) Guernsey don’t then thrash opponents in their final two games.
It’ll be a nervy final day for Sandhurst Town on Saturday. Staying up is in the Fizzers hands, unfortunately those hands picked title-chasing Jersey Bulls for a final fixture of the season. Based on Goal Difference, a draw probably won’t be enough if Balham beat Sheerwater BUT, if the Fizzers can match Chipstead’s result, it will not matter what Balham do.
A win for Windsor on 22nd April in their final game against Eversley & California will probably be enough to keep them up, but lose and things get a little dicey should Rising Ballers Kensington decide to post wins in their final two games.
Safe
Slough Town are safe in the Vanarama National League South after St Albans City lost at the weekend. The Rebels enjoyed a flying start to the season but have just been looking nervously at the bottom four in recent weeks. Planning for 2025/26 can begin in earnest.
