Conference Focus

Our look at the latest events across the divisions moves onto the Conference Premier.

The top five places - if not the order of teams - has already been determined.

However, the race for the title remains open, and two sides are fighting to avoid joining Grays in being relegated.


Promotion:



A poor run of form saw Oxford drop off the pace, and leave it to a resurgent Luton to keep the heat on leaders Stevenage Borough.

Will the former Football League side pip their Home Counties rivals to the title, or is this finally Borough's year?

As it stands:

.......................P...GD...PTS
1. Stevenage....41...51.....90
------------------------------------
2. Luton...........42...44.....86

Run-ins:




Kidderminster (a), Gateshead (a), York (h)







Altrincham (h), Rushden (a)





Turls: I'm going to take this opportunity to laugh at the perennial bottlers that are Oxford United. Ha Ha Ha.

I don't have a personal problem with the club but I'm always a little put off by the arrogance that comes from the city — although it is a beautiful city.

Now that's out of the way, let's talk about when Stevenage are going to wrap up the title. They need three points from three games to make sure it doesn't go down to GD.

They'll beat Kidderminster and Gateshead. Simple stuff really. Luton gave it a good go but left it all a little too late.

Summary: Stevenage

Nobes: Credit to Luton for at least keeping a bit of life and interest in the title race. Too often of late it's been a procession for one team, leaving the rest to fight it out over the play-offs.

However, it would take an unprecedented collapse for Stevenage to blow promotion to the Football League now. They'll be nervous, but you can't see them failing to pick up the points they require.

As much as I have no time for their manager, the club deserves it, as they've been on the brink quite a few times and this is a promotion that's been coming.

Summary: Stevenage



Play-offs:



The top five has already been decided after good form from York and Rushden ensured their places in the end of season lottery.

All which remains now is to determine who will play whom in the play-offs, and which side has home advantage in the second leg.

As it stands:

...............................P....GD....PTS
3. Oxford.................41.....31.....80
4. York....................42.....28.....77
5. Rushden..............42.....36.....75
--------------------------------------------


Run-ins:




Mansfield (h), Wrexham (h), Eastbourne (a)








Grays (h), Stevenage (a)








Wrexham (a), Luton (h)






Turls: Wow. It's all sorted out already. Interesting.

It's an all ex-League side bunch and as they all know what being part of the glorious 92 is like, they will all be desperate to get back. Oxford should finish third but don't be surprised if they get knocked out by York or Rushden.

Summary: Luton, Oxford, York, Rushden

Nobes: Very disappointed that my faith in Oxford turned out to be misplaced. They were so well placed only a couple of months ago, but have failed to handle the pressure yet again.

However, they've always remained strong on home soil, so I see them sealing third spot ahead of York.

Summary: Luton, Oxford, York, Rushden.



Relegation:



Grays were relegated after their 0-0 draw with Kettering. That leaves two relegation places to be filled.

A good run has given Forest Green hope, Gateshead remain in danger, and Ebbsfleet, Eastbourne, and Histon have been dragged right into trouble, too.

Recent results have edged Barrow closer to safety though.

As it stands:

..............................P....GD...PTS
17. Barrow..............40....-20....45
18. Histon...............42...-21.....45
19. Eastbourne........42...-27.....43
20. Gateshead.........41...-21.....42
---------------------------------------------
21. Forest Green......42...-27.....42
22. Ebbsfleet...........42...-35.....38
23. Grays................42...-57.....22


Run-ins:




Gateshead (h), Tamworth (a)







Histon (h), Grays (a)







Ebbsfleet (a), Stevenage (h), AFC Wimbledon (h)







Kettering (a), Oxford (h)






Forest Green (a), Barrow (h)







Crawley (h), Salisbury (h), Kidderminster (a), Histon (a)





Turls: Goodbye Grays. No-one really liked you when you were with us but at least we can still talk about you next season in the Conference South.

The same applies to Ebbsfleet. They are goners. Even if they beat Gateshead and Tamworth, I can't see them racking up enough goals to stay up. Ah well, it could be worse. They could be bottlers. Like Oxford.

That leaves one spot up for grabs - surely not the correct term when dealing with relegation. It all comes down to the game between Histon and Forest Green but not in a way you'd imagine.

I reckon you think that whoever loses this will go down. Wrong. If Forest Green beat Histon then Gateshead will get relegated.
If Forest Green lose then, well, yeah they will go down.

Having said that, if Gateshead beat Ebbsfleet then the Histon/Forest Green game will decide who goes down. Which will make this entire comment pretty redundant. Sod it. Goodbye Gateshead.

Summary: Ebbsfleet, Gateshead

Nobes: Grays have gone - and I'm pleased they have. They've been a shambolically run club over the last few years. They're also only in the Conference because of overspending in the first place.

Ebbsfleet will join them. The MyFootball FC or whatever it's called experiment has failed. They took a mid-table Conference side who had won the FA Trophy and seen them relegated.

I'd like to see Histon or Gateshead join them - both clubs who are living beyond their means. Unfortunately, not both can, so considering their last few games, it'll have be the North East side.

With their remaining games though, I can definitely see Forest Green surviving.

Summary: Ebbsfleet, Gateshead


Tomorrow we conclude our look at the divisions with the latest from the Conferences North and South.