Time for another update:
CHAMPIONSHIPWell, so much for the run of form for Preston North End. As much as I like Iain Hume, I won't be losing sleep over North End (39) going down to the One. But they can take solace in that they aren't alone in being doomed to relegation, since most teams only have a single match left and all three red-zoners are at least six points back of Doncaster. Ya gotta feel bad for Sheffield United (42), though, because they just caught onto a run of good form themselves.
On the other hand, tomorrow's matches will be CRUCIAL for determining overall placement up top. Neither Pompey (57) nor Middlesbrough (56) have a chance in hell of making the playoffs, but they could play spoiler to Norwich (80) or Cardiff (79) respectively. Even though Cardiff is only a point back of Norwich, if Norwich wins and Cardiff does anything less, it's playoffs for them and Norwich is back in the Prems automatically, with highly-touted Canadian Simeon Jackson in tow. Jackson passed Hume again and leads all Canadians, not just in the Championship but in England
period, with an even dozen bulging the twine.
(QPR (88), by the way, has already locked up the League Championship.)
Speaking of playoffs, there is still one team on the outside looking in that can make them, that being Leeds (69) who are three back of Nott Forest (72). But the odds are overwhelmingly in Forest's favour, since the amount Leeds wins by and the amount Forest loses by has to add up to seven for a definitive Leeds victory in this battle. If that isn't bad enough, Leeds is playing already-promotion-bound QPR, and Forest is playing sad-sack Crystal Palace (48), who just narrowly managed to escape relegation.
LEAGUE ONEWell, even if Brighton & Hove (94) clinched first, it must be hard for them to see their lead on Southampton (86) cut in half - when I last reported, they had sixteen points on the Saints, but now they only have eight. Now Huddersfield (86) have kept pace with Southampton points-wise, but if Southampton beats doomed Plymouth Argyle (42) tomorrow (tonight for you English), the chances of them taking the second auto-promotion spot is astronomically slim, since the Saints have +15 better goal differential.
Playoffs, on the other hand, are locked in, the above near-impossible scenario notwithstanding. If things go according to expectations tomorrow night, Huddersfield will be joining Peterborough (77), MK Dons (74), and Bournemouth (71) in the playoffs. Leyton Orient and Exeter City (both 67) came up just shy.
Did I mention Plymouth was doomed? Perhaps not entirely should they do the unthinkable and beat Southampton. Even now their goal differential is close to that of Walsall (48, -17) and also to that of Dag & Red (47, -13) with a game in hand on both. If they do lose, they're screwed. If they draw, they're also screwed. But if they
win, that makes the bottom end a LOT more exciting!
It's hardly impossible, but it will be hard. With Walsall playing Southampton, Plymouth playing Orient, and the Daggers playing Peterborough, it's really hard to say what will happen down there. Bristol Rovers are mathematically in points range as well, but a goal differential of -33 is going to be nigh on impossible to overcome. Which leaves Swindon (39) as the only team that is absolutely, unequivocally screwed.
Down to the Two for you! NEXT!
LEAGUE TWOA couple close battles left in the Two. Bury (83) and Chesterfield (80) are already guaranteed promotion, and Bury seems more in the driver's seat in terms of championship prospects. Even so much as a point from them and they're champeens. However, this doesn't rule Chesterfield out from winning the big prize. If Bury were to lose, Chesterfield need only win by any scoreline to surpass them. And here's something making it even tastier - Bury's last opponent is ever-desparate Gillingham (68) who is locked in a three-way points logjam with two other playoff spot holders, Torquay and Stevenage. Working against that, though, is the fact that
equally desparate Stevenage plays Chesterfield!
Torquay, then, has the "easiest" opponent, who are only five points behind them. Rotherham. Port Vale would have to give Barnet (45) a sound thumping to make the playoffs, as they are not only three points back but also a substantial amount of goal differential. (Even after that, they'd have to hope for Gillingham, Torquay, AND Stevenage to all lose!)
The bottom end sees only one other match become important - Lincoln vs. Aldershot. Although Lincoln can stay alive if Barnet draws Port Vale (yeah, like that'll happen
) or loses to them (way more likely), a surefire way to ensure their safety is to beat the Shots.
CONFERENCE PREMIERWell, the regular season is over and Crawley Town have set a new record for most points in a season (105) while equalling records in wins (31), fewest losses (3), and highest goal differential (63). Playoffs see 2nd-place Wimbledon (90) taking on freshly-promoted Fleetwood (78), and Luton (84) taking on Wrexham (81).
Going down... hoo boy, after three straight seasons of finishing in the red and
not being relegated due to extenuating circumstances, then two more of mid-table madness, FINALLY, the ever-undeserving Altrincham (44) is relegated to the Conference North. Forest Green (46) really lucked out in the end. They lost their final match 2-1 to Tamworth, only to have Kettering beat Southport 3-1. The difference was two goals in the goal differential. It was
that friggin' close. We knew Histon (28) and Eastbourne (39) were already hooped, although the latter did beat Altrincham 4-3 in spite of blowing a 3-0 lead.
I'm going to hazard a guess and say it'll be Histon and Eastbourne going to the Conference South, with Altrincham and Southport going to the North.
CONFERENCE NORTHIf you thought it was impressive that Fleetwood made the playoffs right off of being promoted, have a gander at who's in the playoffs in the Conf-North! Guiseley (73) did end up edging out Nuneaton (72) in the end, and they finished behind Eastwood (also 73) by 17 on the goal diff chart
To make things even more humorous, consider this - the two teams with 73 points drew each other on closing day, while Nuneaton lost to 10-point margin champs Alfreton (92). Telford (82) and Boston (79, also fresh off the promo) will play Guiseley and Eastwood respectively.
Now at the other end, we knew Redditch (9
) was astronomically boned, and that it would come down mainly to Hyde (36) and Stafford (32). Well, in the end, Hyde won out by four points, putting an exclamation point on the season by beating Corby Town (49) 2-1. Stafford gave Stalybridge (57) a late scare, but ended up losing 3-2, ending a poor season on a low note and going down to the feeders.
CONFERENCE SOUTHWell, Braintree (89) won in the end, as a run of good form combined with a run of
bad form for second-place Farnborough (82) combined to propel them into the Conference Premier.
As for that five-team playoff logjam from last update, that wound up with Chelmsford (77) and Woking (76) edging out Welling (75), Dover (74), and Eastleigh (72). That must have been some incredibly exciting football to watch!
At the other end, in spite of losing four straight at the end, Hampton & Richmond (42) stayed afloat, as also did Maidenhead (40). Bishop's Stortford (45) were able to claw their way out of the red late with a three-game win streak. So who did that leave? Thurrock (37), the Lewesers (36), and sad-sack St. Albans (24).
Now then, since it's that time of year:
FEEDERSNorthern PremierHalifax (98) didn't just win this division. They destroyed it. Besting Colwyn Bay (79) by a whopping nineteen points, the reborn Halifax side is set for Conference North action for next season.
The first round of the playoffs saw United of Manchester (76) oust "favoured" Bradford Park Avenue (77), and Colwyn Bay do likewise to North Ferriby United, both by the same 2-0 scoreline. The final goes tomorrow.
Southern PremierTruro (87) and Hednesford (83) appeared to be neck-and-neck for most of the season, but a late slipup against lowely Evesham (51) cost Hednesford automatic promotion. They did, however, make good on their playoff opener against Leamington (78), winning 3-1. As expected between two teams that finished equal in points, Salisbury vs. Cambridge City (both 79) ended close, with the former winning 1-0. As with the Northern Premier, the Southern Premier playoff final goes tomorrow. So Truro will undoubtedly be playing in Conference South next season.
Isthmian PremierPlayoffs haven't even started here yet. But let me tell you - the race for that last playoff spot was a very close finish. As a matter of fact, the entire playoff section was a close finish! Check this out!
Tonbridge Angels - 76 (+26)
Bury Town - 76 (+18)
Lowestoft Town - 75
Harrow Borough - 73 (+26)
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Canvey Island - 73 (+18)
Kingstonian - 72
Concord Rangers - 71
Cray Wanderers - 69
AFC Hornchurch - 69
Billericay Town - 69
In any case, the playoffs start Tuesday, with Tonbridge hosting Harrow and Bury Town hosting Lowestoft.
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