We complete our focus of what's happening across the divisions with a look at the Conference North and Conference South divisions.First up, the Conference North.
Top of the table:
The title race appears a straight fight out between North West rivals Southport and Fleetwood.
Elsewhere, Hinckley, Eastwood, and Alfreton currently occupy the play-off places with former Conference side Droylsden lurking just outside the top five.
As it stands:
................................P...GD...PTS
1. Fleetwood Town.....28....35....60
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2. Southport..............27....30....57
3. Hinckley United......27....14....48
4. Eastwood Town......26.....6....45
5. Alfreton Town........26.....17...43
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6. Droylsden..............25....22....42
Turls: This one is a battle between the Lancashire coastal towns and is going to last the distance.
Their records are pretty much identical and it is tough to separate them. I think Southport should grab it but I can honestly see this one going down to the final game of the season.
As for the other spots, I think Eastwood will probably miss out. They are going to fade away towards the end and I think the sides surrounding them should have what it takes to make the play-offs.
Hinckley have been around the top-five for a couple of years now and they should make the play-offs this year. Droylsden have got a lot of goals in them and Alfreton have an air of confidence about them.
Hinckley have been around the top-five for a couple of years now and they should make the play-offs this year. Droylsden have got a lot of goals in them and Alfreton have an air of confidence about them.
Summary: Southport (Champions). Fleetwood, Hinckley, Alfreton, and Droylsden (play-offs)
Liam Watson's Southport have been top of the Conference North for most of the seasonNobes: Fleetwood are a club who seem to be really going for it this season. They're reportedly spending big on wages and investing the money they got from their FA Cup run.
I think they may well have the strength to oust Southport, the team I fancied would win the title before the season began.
The Sandgrounders should be favourites in the play-offs though. I think they'll be joined by a Hinckley side who've experience of finishing in the top five and Alfreton with the experienced Nicky Law as boss.
Eastwood have done very well this term, but they may well miss out to Droylsden, especially when you consider the latter's vastly bigger goal difference.
Summary: Fleetwood (Champions). Southport, Hinckley, Alfreton, Droylsden (play-offs).
Bottom of the table:
Five sides appear to be battling it out to stay out of the bottom three of the Conference North.
Most in threat are Harrogate Town and Vauxhall Motors. Big-spending Gainsborough's nightmare season sees them in the relegation zone too.
Perched just above the drop zone are financially troubled Hyde and also Solihull Moors.
As it stands:
.............................P...GD...PTS
18. Solihull Moors....27...-16....23
19. Hyde United......23....-18...23
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20. Gainsborough.....25..-19....19
21. Vauxhall Motors..27..-30....19
22. Harrogate Town..25...-23...16
Turls: Harrogate are down in my eyes - which is a shame because it's a lovely town. Who is going with them?
Vauxhall Motors appear to have stalled this year and I reckon they need to go back to the dealership and get a new model because relegation looms for them.
I think Gainsboorough will survive but only just. The big spending will certainly come back to haunt them in years to come but for now, Brian Little should keep them up.
Assuming Hyde don't cease to exist before the end of the year, I think they could stage a mini-Manc-miracle by avoiding the drop. Solihull is a grim place and it will be even grimmer when they discover I've tipped them to drop down the leagues.
Summary: Harrogate Town, Vauxhall Motors, Solihull Moors.
Former Wrexham boss Brian Little is trying to save Gainsborough from the drop Nobes: I'm not surprised to see Harrogate struggling as they have had to cut costs and Vauxhall are perennial strugglers, I expect both to drop.
Gainsborough going down would be unthinkable considering the money they've invested in wages, plus the fact Brian Little is manager there.
However, their home form has relegation written all over it, and stranger things would have happened if they do go down.
Summary: Harrogate Town, Vauxhall Motors, Gainsborough.
Now, the latest from the Conference South. Top of the table:
The title appears a formality for Newport, leaving a fierce fight for the top five in the Conference South.
Chelsmford, Thurrock, Dover, and Woking currently occupy the positions, but with sides like Bath, Eastleigh and Braintree having games in hand, things could change.
FA Cup giantkillers Staines are also in with a shout ot the end of season lottery
As it stands:
............................P...GD....PTS
1. Newport............27....44.....66
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2. Chelmsford........29....4.......48
3. Braintree...........25....11.....46
4. Thurrock............27....9.......46
5. Dover................28...10......45
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6. Woking.............27.....8......45
7. Staines.............28....13.....44
8. Eastleigh...........27....17.....42
9. Bath.................27....11.....42
Turls: Newport may as well start planning their calendar for next season because the only way they won't get promoted is if they kill the Conference board or Newport explodes - neither of which would be too disappointing.
That leaves four play-off places up for grabs and boy is it tight. Braintree look in a solid position and their games in hand should cement their place in the play-offs.
I think Thurrock should join them because they have a lot of strength for that division. Eastleigh have got goals in them and that should be enough to guarantee them a spot.
The final position for me is a tough call but I think Woking have the look of a team who are determined to get out of the division. They don't score and they don't concede but they're picking up points.
I think Thurrock should join them because they have a lot of strength for that division. Eastleigh have got goals in them and that should be enough to guarantee them a spot.
The final position for me is a tough call but I think Woking have the look of a team who are determined to get out of the division. They don't score and they don't concede but they're picking up points.
Summary: Newport (Champions). Braintree, Thurrock, Eastleigh, Woking (play-offs).
Dover's challenge has been led by former Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler Nobes: Well, the title is long gone. Dean Holdsworth could be a young manager to look out for in the future after the way he's led Newport to the top. They'll storm to promotion.
Chelmsford and Braintree have been there and done it regarding the play-offs, so I think they should make the top five again.
Woking were in the Conference last season and obviously strong at that level, I'd back them to make the cut. And Dover are an improving club rising back up the divisions.
Summary: Newport (Champions). Chelsmford, Braintree, Woking, Dover.
Bottom of the table:
It's not good to be beside the seaside this season it appears. Lewes, Weymouth, and Weston-super-Mare all find themselves in relegation trouble at the bottom.
Just above the drop zone are Worcester and, after finishing in the play-offs last term, it's been a disapointing campaign for Hampton & Richmond too.
As it stands:
......................................P....GD.....PTS
18. Hampton & Richmond..24...-10.......25
19. Worcester..................26....-7.......22
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20. Lewes.......................27....-15......22
21. Weymouth.................27....-39......17
22. Weston-super-Mare.....28....-25......16
Turls: Weston-super-Mare are down in my eyes and they should be joined by Weymouth. Both teams have diabolical defences and you can't survive if you concede an average of over two goals a game.
The other team should be Lewes. The Dripping Pan has had it's fair share of misery this season and the ending will be a massive disappointment for the club.
Hampton only need a few points from their games in hand to pull clear and Worcester have to much class to get relegated. Simple stuff really.
Summary: Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Lewes.
Lewes boss Steve Ibbitson is fighting to avoid successive relegationsNobes: Weston-super-Mare have been in trouble for a few seasons now, and I think it will catch up with them this term.
I actually think the relegation battle in this division has been dictated more by off-field things than on-field.
That's to say, decent sized clubs like Lewes and Weymouth have both had big financial problems - which is why those two are struggling.
It's also probably why the bottom three now will be the ones to go.
Summary: Weston-super-Mare, Lewes, Weymouth.
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