Survival Sunday: Relegation showdowns

Ahead of the final day relegation showdown between Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace, Nobes takes a look at three such previous games - all in League Two - where the two teams knew it was do or die.

Hereford United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Saturday May 3, 1997

Scenario:

.......................P...GS...PTS
23. Brighton.....45...52.....46
------------------------------------
24. Hereford.....45...49.....46

Former top flight members Brighton had looked doomed to drop out of the Football League altogether in the 1996/7 season.

In December they had been 12 points adrift at the bottom, however, the Seagulls, blighted by off-field problems, had put together a late run.

They won their final game at their old Goldstone ground against Doncaster to climb off the bottom and above Hereford on goals scored. The win had also set up a do-or-die final day decider at Edgar Street.

The like of the game had never been seen before. Come full time, one of the two teams would know they had been relegated into the Non Leagues.

The home side knew they had to win, whereas avoiding defeat was good enough to preserve Albion's place in the 92.

Hereford started off the better of the two teams - going for the win they knew they had to get. Midway through the first half they took the lead - Kerry Mayo diverting the ball into his own net after a low cross was fired through the box.

However, despite their domination, the Bulls failed to extend their advantage, and were made to pay. Just after the hour mark, Rob Reneilt was on hand to tap home the rebound after a long range effort had come back off the post.

It was now Brighton, and not United, who would be staying up. Right at the death though, a ball over the top caught out the Albion backline and Bulls top scorer Adrian Foster raced through.

He could only manage a tepid shot into the arms of keeper Mark Ormerod. It was to prove the final chance as Hereford's 25-year spell in the Football League came to an end. Brighton had earned salvation on goals scored.

Final score: Hereford United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion


Outcome:

.......................P...GS...PTS
23. Brighton.....46...53.....47
------------------------------------
24. Hereford.....45...50.....47

Barnet vs. Torquay United

Saturday May 8, 2001

Scenario:

.......................P....GD...PTS
23. Torquay......45...-26.....46
------------------------------------
24. Barnet........45...-13.....45


Two wins in their last 16 had seen Barnet plummet down the League Two table and, after the penultimate game of the season, they slipped to the bottom.

They had been overtaken by Torquay, who they hosted on the final day in a relegation showdown - a match Barnet had to win.

Just like four years previously at Edgar Street - come full time, one set of fans knew they would be condemend to watching Non League football next term.

Come half time, it seemed to be pretty clear it was the club from North London who would be heading down.

The game had started badly for Barnet as their keeper Lee Harrison was injured in the opening minute. Nine minutes later, Torquay took the lead - Jason Rees with a stunning volley from outside the box.

They doubled their advantage through a Kevin Hill header from a corner mid-way through the half. However, Barnet were given a route back into the game when Jimmy Aggrey handled the ball in the area.

Stuart Jones saved Darren Currie's penalty though, and the Gulls promptly went down the other end of the pitch and extended their lead just before the break. David Graham with time and space in the box to steer the ball high into the net from a cross.

3-0 down at half time, it appeared Barnet's ten year spell in the Football League was coming to an end. However, the Bees began to stage a second half comeback.

Ryan Green was the unfortunate man to divert his header from a Currie cross past his own keeper. That was with an hour gone, and 16 minutes later, they had got another.

Another Currie ball into the box was this time dropped by Jones and Greg Heald was on hand to bundle the ball in.

However, that was the end of the goal scoring, and the Devon side sent Barnet back down to the Conference.

Final score: Barnet 2-3 Torquay United


Outcome:

.......................P....GD...PTS
21. Torquay......46...-24.....49
22. Carlisle.......46...-23.....48
23. Halifax........46...-14.....47
-------------------------------------
24. Barnet........46...-14.....45

Wrexham vs. Boston United

Saturday May 5, 2007

Scenario:

.........................P...GD...PTS
21. Wrexham......45..-24.....48
22. Macclesfield...45..-22....47
--------------------------------------
23. Boston..........45...-27...46
24. Torquay........45...-27....34


In all truth, it was a miracle that Boston took their survival bid to the final day in 2006/7.

The Lincolnshire club had been in chaos off the pitch with the club unable to pay their players, afford a team coach for away matches, and having to cancel training as players were unable to afford the petrol money to travel.

However, a spirited effort had given them a chance as they made their way to Wrexham. A win for the Pilgrims would keep them up and, if Macclesfield avoided defeat, relegate the Welsh club.

In a tense affair in-front of a 13,000 sell out, both sides struggled to create chances. Then, just before the break, United's Franny Green latched onto a ball forward to squeeze the ball past Anthony Williams.

At the break, with Macclesfield drawing, it was Wrexham who were going down. However, early in the second period, the Red Dragons drew level. Ryan Valentine converting a penalty past former Wrexham keeper Andy Marriott.

Boston responded, and missed a great chance to re-take the lead when skipper Paul Ellender fired over the bar with the goal gaping. It was to prove a costly miss.

With time running out, Chris Llewellyn's mazy run ended with a low shot into the corner. And, in added time, Michael Proctor's header sealed Wrexham's survival and condemned Boston to relegation.

With their fate confirmed, United's owners made the decision to put the club into administration and avoid a ten point deduction the following season in the Conference.

Final score: Wrexham 3-1 Boston United


Outcome:

.........................P...GD...PTS
19. Wrexham.......45..-24.....51
20. Accrington.....46...-11....50
21. Bury.............46...-15....50
22. Macclesfield...46..-22....48
--------------------------------------
23. Boston..........46...-29...46
24. Torquay........46...-27....35


The bad news for Wednesday is that all three sides who knew they had to win failed to do so. Home advantage also didn't count for much in two of the three games. Can Alan Irvine's side buck the trend this weekend?