Conference North: April

It's been the final month of the regular season in our featured division.

Here's how issues concerning the title, relegation, and the play-offs ended in the Conference North.


Southport sweep to success

Southport edged out title rivals Fleetwood Town to clinch a return to the Conference Premier. Liam Watson's men won four and lost one of their matches in April to go into the final game a point ahead of Town.

While Fleetwood were 2-0 winners over Stalybridge, Port made sure they finished top after a convincing 3-0 victory at Eastwood.

It caps off a successful first season at Haig Avenue for the former Burscough boss. The Sandgrounders have been in the title chase all term, finding form in the last few weeks to pip their rivals at the post.

Micky Mellon's side must settle for another shot at promotion through the play-offs.


Last day Droylsden steal ahead of Steelmen

Droylsden thumped Redditch United 6-1 to snatch the last play-off place in the Conference North.

The Manchester club had begun the final day two points behind Corby in 5th. Due to Farsley's expulsion though, the Steelmen had been left without a fixture on the last weekend and had to watch and hope.

The other side in contention on the final day had been Hinckley. However, a 3-2 loss at East Midlands rivals Alfreton, who were already assured of a top five spot, put paid to their hopes of an extension to their campaign.

Joining Fleetwood, Alfreton, and Droylsden in the play-offs are Workington. The Cumbrian outfit have been the league's form side over the past few weeks. They collected 20 points in the final month to assure themselves of a play-off place.


Vauxhall run out of gas

Vauxhall Motors were relegated from the Conference North after losing their showdown at Redditch. The Motormen had to win both their final games to stand any chance of catching their Worcestershire rivals.

However, they only managed a 1-1 draw and joined already-relegated Harrogate Town in next season's Northern Premier division.



Final table:

...............................P...GD...PTS
1. Southport.............40...46.....86
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2. Fleetwood.............40...42....85
3. Alfreton................40...32....74
4. Workington...........40....9.....70
5. Droylsden.............40....20....64
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6. Corby...................40....11....63
7. Hinckley...............40.....8.....62
8. Ilkeston................40....8.....61
9. Stalybridge............40....7.....55
10. Eastwood.............40...-5.....54
11. AFC Telford..........40...-3......51
12. Northwich............40....7......48
13. Blyth Spartans......40...-5......48
14. Gainsborough........40...-7.....47
15. Hyde....................40..-27....45
16. Stafford................40...-11...44
17. Solihull.................40...-11...42
18. Gloucester.............40...-12...42
19. Redditch................40...-34...38
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20. Vauxhall Motors......40...-36...35
21. Harrogate..............40...-39...30


Play-offs:





The Conference North play-offs are underway with the first legs having taken place on Wednesday evening.

At the Butcher's Arms, two goals in the last 20 minutes handed Droylsden a surprise 2-0 win against Fleetwood.

In the other semi-final, Alfreton secured a narrow 1-0 victory at Workington to take back to Derbyshire.

The return legs are on Sunday afternoon as two sides look to secure a place in the final and a shot in next season's Conference Premier.


We'll have the result of the Conference North play-offs in our final review of the season next month.