Conference North/South Focus

The final day of our look at what's happening across the divisions concludes with the state of play in the Conference North and Conference South.

Starting with the Conference North.

Top of the table:




The title race is a two way fight between Fleetwood and Southport but the race for the play-offs remains very much open.

Alfreton and Hinckley are best placed, but there's a fierce contest for 5th spot between Droylsden, Eastwood, AFC Telford, and Stalybridge.

As it stands:

................................P...GD...PTS
1. Fleetwood Town.....33....35...69
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2. Southport..............31....33...65
3. Alfreton Town........32.....30...57
4. Hinckley United......32.....9....52
5. Droylsden..............30....16...46
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6. Eastwood Town......30.....3....46
7. AFC Telford............32....-1....46
8. Stalybridge............28....13....45

Nobes: I'm sticking with my February prediction of Fleetwood for the title. I just think that sometimes it's just a team's year and it seems to the Lancashire side's this.

Southport will have to make do with a place in the play-offs alongside an Alfreton side bang in form at the minute.

I fancy Hinckley will hold down one of those places too, and Droylsden's experience and goal difference could be vital.

Summary: Fleetwood (Champions), Southport, Alfreton, Hinckley, Droylsden.

Fleetwood Town are aiming for the Conference under Micky Mellon

Turls: This time last month I predicted that Southport would be taking the title and after another month's action, I don't think I'm going to change my opinion.

Still a long way to go and if they win both their games in hand they will go top and should have a superior GD.

Fleetwood will get to have fun in the play-offs and joining them will be Alfreton and Hinckley. Both these clubs have cemented their places over the past month and they will continue to pull clear of 6th.

The final play-off spot is tight to call. I thought Droylsden were going to pinch it but I can't look past Stalybridge's games in hand.

Win one of them and they glide into the play-offs. Win them both and their five points clear.

Don't expect Droylsden to give it up without a fight and Eastwood should continue to plod along with their uneventful football. Telford will lose out simply because they seem totally incapable of scoring.

Summary: Southport (Champions), Fleetwood, Alfreton, Hinckley, Stalybridge.

Bottom of the table:



The bottom three teams of Harrogate, Vauxhall Motors and Gainsborough remain unchanged from last month.

However, poor runs of form for Gloucester and Redditch have seen them slip to just above the drop zone as the season reaches its climax.

As it stands:

.............................P...GD...PTS
18. Redditch............33...-21....33
19. Gloucester.........30....-14...30
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20. Gainsborough.....31..-16....30
21. Vauxhall Motors..34..-34....27
22. Harrogate Town..29...-27...22

Nobes: Vaxuahll and Harrogate are down. I know the Motormen have put together a few results of late, but the goal difference and number of goals they've played shows it's too little too late.

Gainsborough are making a good fist of their battle though, and I fancy Trinity might just sneak survival. Gloucester and Redditch have both been on the slide of late, and I fear for Redditch.

Summary: Harrogate, Vauxhall Motors, Redditch.

Harrogate's CNG Stadium - a Conference North ground, but for how much longer?

Turls: Harrogate and Vauxhall Motors are planning next season as they both seem to have consigned themselves to a season out of the Conference North.

Joining them will be Redditch. They've fell to pieces lately and they have played more games than Gainsborough and Gloucester. They're all a bit rubbish but momentum should see Redditch sent tumbling through the trap-door.

Summary: Harrogate, Vauxhall Motors, Redditch.


Now the latest situation in the Conference South.




Top of the table:




Newport are on the brink of winning the title after opening up a huge lead on their rivals.

The race for the play-off places remains tight though with Chelmsford, Bath, Staines and Braintree currently in the top five.

Eastleigh, Thurrock, and Dover all remain on the fringes and in with a shout though.


As it stands:

............................P...GD....PTS
1. Newport............33....58.....82
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2. Chelmsford........33.....11....58
3. Bath.................32....17.....55
4. Braintree...........32....11.....55
5. Staines.............33....16.....54
------------------------------------------
6. Eastleigh..........33.....13.....52
7. Thurrock............31....13.....50
8. Dover................32....9.....50

Nobes: Congratulations to Newport, they've blitzed their way to the top and it will be interesting to see how they do in the Conference Premier next term.

Chelmsford and Braintree are two clubs with experience of finishing in the top five and I expect them to do it again.

Bath had a great Cup run and obviously have a decent team down there this term. They may well finish in the top five.

It'll be a tough fight for the other spot, but I'd just give the edge to Eastleigh.

Summary: Newport (Champions), Chelmsford, Braintree, Bath, Eastleigh.

Bath City boss Adie Britton is hoping for a top five finish

Turls: Newport are up. Anyone who disagrees needs to go to a doctor and ask to be given a thorough exam. And I mean REALLY thorough because they are clearly missing some vital organ, possibly a brain.

The Exiles have blown away all opposition and are planning their promotion party as we speak — rumour is it involves a British Legion and a shedload of balloons.

As for the play-offs, I reckon it should stay as it is with the exception of Staines.

Chlmsford, Bath and Braintree will all battle it out at the end of season gala but the Staines Massive will miss out.

I reckon Thurrock will stand a good chance but I think Eastleigh will pip them to the post with a final minute last day winner. Exciting times for all at Soccer AM/MW.

Summary: Newport (Champions), Chelmsford, Braintree, Bath, Eastleigh.


Bottom of the table:



Things appear desperate for Weymouth and Weston-super-Mare so the fight for survival is down to two.

Crisis hit Lewes currently sit in the drop zone, with only troubled Worcester in their sights.

As it stands:

......................................P....GD.....PTS
19. Worcester..................34....-10......32
----------------------------------------------------
20. Lewes.......................32....-18......25
21. Weston-super-Mare.....33....-28......20
22. Weymouth.................33....-54......18

Nobes: I'm sorry to say that I think the relegation battle is all over in the Conference North. The three sides down there have all been poorly run off the pitch and are now reaping the seeds they sowed.

Good news for Worcester then.

Summary: Weymouth, Weston-super-Mare, Lewes.

These are troubled times both on and off the pitch at Weymouth's Wessex Stadium

Turls: Conceding 80 goals in 33 games is a recipe for disaster and it will be a shock if Weymouth manage to avoid the drop. Better chance of Newcastle fans admitting that they aren't a "big" club.

Weston-super-Mare look just as doomed as the Terras but at least they gave a reasonable account of themselves — they only conceded 67 in 33 games.

Joining the woeful W clubs should be Lewes. They have drawn far too many games this campaign and, games in hand aside, they don't look like turning around the five point deficit.

Their only saving grace is that they don't begin with W. Freaky Friday fans will probably think that the stars are aligned for an all W relegation but Worcester will avoid the drop.

Would have been nice if three W clubs started and finished the season in the bottom three - just a shame Woking decided to play decent football.

Summary: Weymouth, Weston-super-Mare, Lewes.


And we'll have more from the Conferences North and South next month.