Thursday, and as we continue our series we delve into the Non Leagues now to see how the season is going for teams in the Conference Premier. Promotion:
Three sides are battling it out over the one automatic promotion place to League Two.
Giants Oxford face competition from another ex-Football League side in York, but it's perennial bridesmaids Stevenage who currently top the table.
As it stands:
.......................P...GD...PTS
1. Stevenage....30...31.....63
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2. Oxford.........28....30....60
3. York............29...20.....59
Turls: The Conference is looking tasty. Oxford found themselves in the familiar position of dominating the division for a lengthy period of time and then losing the lead to a plebeian usurper in the shape of Stevenage.
They have the games in hand but I can't get over the feeling that Oxford is a city of bottlers when it comes to football.
Stevenage are looking good and I fancy them to win it this time round. York should push them most of the way but I can see them hitting a bad patch over the next two months.
Graham Westley has Stevenage competing for promotion againNobes: I've backed Oxford right from pre-season, so it would be pretty weak of me to desert them now.
Stevenage have done magnificently well, and I didn't expect York to go on such a good run but, for me, Oxford have the manager and the squad who can overcome their recent wobble and take the title.
Summary: Oxford
Play-offs:
With just two play-off positions looking available, there's a clutch of five or so teams fighting to finish in the top five.
That includes pre-season favourites Luton and ex-League clubs in Mansfield and Rushden & Diamonds.
Kettering are also in the mix, as are AFC Wimbledon. Can Terry Brown's side cap their memorable rise up the pyramid with a return to the big time?
As it stands:
...............................P....GD....PTS
4. Rushden..............29.....23.....52
5. Luton..................28.....13.....52
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6. Mansfield.............31....10......50
7. AFC Wimbledon.....29....24.....49
8. Kettering.............29.....10.....48
Turls: Rushden are looking strong this year and should count themselves unlucky to not be in the title race.
They know what it takes to gain promotion so they should have the strength to push through to the finish line and make the play-offs.
The other spot is trickier to predict. Mansfield lose too many games in my opinion and this should come back to haunt them.
As much as Soccer AM/MW would love to see the Kettles make the play-offs, I don't think they have the strength this time round but I will drop an early prediction that they will go up next season.
That leaves AFC Wimbledon and Luton battling it out for the final spot. A lot of fans would like Wimbledon make the coveted 92 but I can see Luton pushing home in the home stretch.
Summary: York, Oxford, Rushden, and Luton.
The wily Terry Brown has masterminded AFC Wimbledon's play-off pushNobes: I think Luton made a wise managerial switch and Richard Money should be able to steer the Hatters into the play-offs. Had he been there all season, who knows how high they might have finished?
The other play-off place is wide open. Rushden's success has been a surprise, they've probably overachieved. Kettering have once again punched above their weight too, but the Kettles seem to be going backwards after a good start.
So it'll probably come down to a battle between Diamonds and Mansfield. It's difficult to call, but if Rushden keep this form up, they look good for a top five spot.
Summary: Stevenage, York, Luton, and Rushden.
Relegation:
The fight to survive in the Conference looks on for some, but very much over for others.
Handicapped with a points deduction, the game appears to be up for crisis-club Chester, and Grays look doomed to the drop too.
For the likes of Gateshead and Forest Green there is plenty of hope, and lots of anxious fans at Barrow, Eastbourne, and Ebbsfleet.
As it stands:
..............................P....GD....PTS
18. Ebbsfleet...........33...-25.....30
19. Eastbourne........30...-18......29
20. Barrow..............26...-13......28
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21. Forest Green......30...-26......26
22. Gateshead.........29...-14......25
23. Grays................31...-41......17
24. Chester.............28...-19......-3
Turls: Goodbye Chester. Gone from the Conference and they won't be back for a long time unfortunately.
It's also time we waved goodbye to Grays as well although not many people are too fond of these lollygaggers.
Who is going with them? Heaven only knows. I think Barrow will pick up enough points in their game in hands to pull clear of danger and Eastbourne should also stay safe.
I think Forest Green are over due a relegation so I expect them to take the plunge.
Then I think MyGimmick FC should get relegated. Poor goal differece and Gateshead have four games in hand on them so I think they should drop down a league.
Joint Barrow boss Dave Sheridan has a relegation fight on his handsNobes: Never mind on the field, Chester are in trouble to survive off the pitch. I fear for that club's existence but it's fair to say they won't be in the Conference next season either way.
Grays have been shambolically run over the past few years and are now suffering the consequences. At least one promoted side tends to go down, so Gateshead may well be in trouble.
I'd back Barrow and Eastbourne to survive, Ebbsfleet are in trouble but perhaps Forest Green's luck of recent relegation battles has finally run out?
Summary: Chester, Grays, Gateshead, and Forest Green.
We'll turn the spotlight back on the Conference next month. Tomorrow sees our final look at what's going on in the pyramid with a review of the Conference North and South divisions.
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