Never mind the Barclays Premier League, the Evo-Stik Southern Premier is where it is all at for final day excitement. Yes, the title has been won, so hats off the Leamington FC for a great season. Yes, two of the play-off places are decided. Well done to Stourbridge FC and Chesham United for achieving their goals with games to spare. The final 2 play-off spots, however, are going to be decided on the final day between 4 clubs. Just 3 points separates all 4 teams. It couldn't be much closer.
The teams in question are Hemel Hempstead Town, Barwell, Gosport Borough and Arlesey Town.
Hemel, who lead the table last year, have fallen away in recent weeks. Going into the last match, they have the worst current form, but do have the advantage of being the best placed points-wise. Having said that, neither Barwell or Gosport go into the last day in particularly sparkling form. Barwell have won just one of their last five. Gosport have only managed two wins in the last seven.
The form team would appear to be Arlesey. Four wins in their last six matches have kept them in with a shout. They did, however, suffer a shock reversal at relegated Bedworth on Tuesday night.
So, it would seem that all four contenders are suffering with the jitters as we approach the most vital day of their season.
Saturday is going to be a tense day. All four play-off contenders have home advantage in their final games.
Hemel entertain a Bideford team that has not won since February, picking up just 3 points in that time.
Barwell take on Frome Town who have had a few decent results in recent weeks, including a 3-0 away win at Hemel.
Gosport take on St Neots Town, safely positioned in mid-table but not exactly in consistent form themselves.
Finally, Arlesey play Weymouth who, after having a mid-season promotion push, have fallen away towards the end of the
season.
With none of the away teams having anything left to play for, it would be easy to go with 4 home wins. That would leave the table exactly as it is now with Hemel and Barwell taking the final two spots. However, teams will
want to finish the season on a plus note to give them a boost going into next season, so I wouldn’t expect any of them to roll over too easily. There will be, I'm sure, plenty of ups and downs between 3pm and the final whistles.
This blog isn’t in the business of making predictions, so let’s just wait and see the outcome. Whoever gets through will have a tough away semi-final to face against Stourbridge or Chesham.
The semi-finals take place on Tuesday 30 April with the final the following Saturday. It’s going to be an exciting week in the Southern League Premier.
You can follow the final day live on Twitter. @HemelFC, @GosportBoroFC and @ArleseyTownFC all tweet live updates. I haven’t found any live Barwell updates but maybe someone from the club will tell me differently.
Good luck to all.
The teams in question are Hemel Hempstead Town, Barwell, Gosport Borough and Arlesey Town.
Hemel, who lead the table last year, have fallen away in recent weeks. Going into the last match, they have the worst current form, but do have the advantage of being the best placed points-wise. Having said that, neither Barwell or Gosport go into the last day in particularly sparkling form. Barwell have won just one of their last five. Gosport have only managed two wins in the last seven.
The form team would appear to be Arlesey. Four wins in their last six matches have kept them in with a shout. They did, however, suffer a shock reversal at relegated Bedworth on Tuesday night.
So, it would seem that all four contenders are suffering with the jitters as we approach the most vital day of their season.
Saturday is going to be a tense day. All four play-off contenders have home advantage in their final games.
Hemel entertain a Bideford team that has not won since February, picking up just 3 points in that time.
Barwell take on Frome Town who have had a few decent results in recent weeks, including a 3-0 away win at Hemel.
Gosport take on St Neots Town, safely positioned in mid-table but not exactly in consistent form themselves.
Finally, Arlesey play Weymouth who, after having a mid-season promotion push, have fallen away towards the end of the
season.
With none of the away teams having anything left to play for, it would be easy to go with 4 home wins. That would leave the table exactly as it is now with Hemel and Barwell taking the final two spots. However, teams will
want to finish the season on a plus note to give them a boost going into next season, so I wouldn’t expect any of them to roll over too easily. There will be, I'm sure, plenty of ups and downs between 3pm and the final whistles.
This blog isn’t in the business of making predictions, so let’s just wait and see the outcome. Whoever gets through will have a tough away semi-final to face against Stourbridge or Chesham.
The semi-finals take place on Tuesday 30 April with the final the following Saturday. It’s going to be an exciting week in the Southern League Premier.
You can follow the final day live on Twitter. @HemelFC, @GosportBoroFC and @ArleseyTownFC all tweet live updates. I haven’t found any live Barwell updates but maybe someone from the club will tell me differently.
Good luck to all.
RSS Feed