Having been favourites for relegation at the start of the season, and 33/1 outsiders for the title, Winchester City have defied the odds so far this season and are still fighting on three fronts. On Saturday, they travel to Banbury in a top of the table clash. This is what the table looks like at the moment...

 

1. Winchester City P29 64pts

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2. Banbury United P30 63pts

3. Cinderford Town P26 62pts

4. Swindon Supermarine P29 62pts

5. Taunton Town P26 58pts

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6. North Leigh P30 54pts

7. Shortwood United P29 52pts

8. Tiverton Town P28 51pts

Well, it was fun being top while it lasted. After losing 2-1 at Banbury, City are off the top of the table and face a month with three games against promotion rivals and at least one cup semifinal. This is how the table looks tonight...

1. Banbury United P31 66pts

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2. Cinderford Town P27 65pts

3. Swindon Supermarine P30 65pts

4. Winchester City P30 64pts

5. Taunton Town P28 58pts

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6. North Leigh P31 57pts

7. Shortwood United P30 55pts

8. Evesham United P30 51pts

Been to see Bath City many times, saw them get promoted a few seasons back, I thought finally they're getting somewhere, next season down they went, now they're closing in on relegation again. It's a rugby city, no money is pumped in to the football club and not much of a f*ck is given by too many people, so I don't go much now, plus last time the tea was so bad and I burnt myself.

Been to see Bath City many times, saw them get promoted a few seasons back, I thought finally they're getting somewhere, next season down they went, now they're closing in on relegation again. It's a rugby city, no money is pumped in to the football club and not much of a f*ck is given by too many people, so I don't go much now, plus last time the tea was so bad and I burnt myself.

Yeah I remember when they got promoted to the conference premier, if I remember correctly they held their own for a season or two before finishing rock bottom?

Never thought that in 2016 Bromley would be where they are now, and Bath would be in the league below us. Funny how football works out.

Yeah I remember when they got promoted to the conference premier, if I remember correctly they held their own for a season or two before finishing rock bottom?

Never thought that in 2016 Bromley would be where they are now, and Bath would be in the league below us. Funny how football works out.

Yea, they weren't there for long, I don't think they ever looked like staying in that division in the long term, depressing because I remember people being excited when they went up. I've seen Hemel Heamstead play a few times too, not often a great 90 minutes to be fair.

Went to see my local non-league team, Welling United this afternoon. They beat Woking 2-1. Needed the win as they haven't won in 21 games. Despite the win, I think they'll be relegated to the National League South. Saw a few other Chelsea fans there. 

Must be local to me Boyne! I live in Bexleyheath.

 

If ever there was a tweet that summed up non league football it would be this:

 

 

I've always followed my local Ilkeston FC (previously Ilkeston Town). I had a season ticket for Ilkeston Town for 6 years until they liquidated back in 2010. Came back as Ilkeston FC but it isn't quite the same. Go to a few games a season but i can't see myself getting a season ticket again any time soon. 

 

Interesting fact: Ilkeston Town (and Ilkeston FC) were managed by Kevin Wilson, the former Chelsea player, for the last 6 years. Great manager and did wonders for the club. Real shame that he's gone to Nuneaton. 

Must be local to me Boyne! I live in Bexleyheath.

 

If ever there was a tweet that summed up non league football it would be this:

 

Live just up the road in Sidcup so not far to go. And there is a great pub, the Door Hinge,  not far from Welling's ground

Hitchin doing very well. In 3rd in the Southern Premier, hopefully will manage to stay in the playoff places.

Went to see my local non-league team, Welling United this afternoon. They beat Woking 2-1. Needed the win as they haven't won in 21 games. Despite the win, I think they'll be relegated to the National League South. Saw a few other Chelsea fans there. 

 

I actually went to watch Woking vs Barrow back in January. The linesman took a ball to the face in the first minute resulting in 15 minutes of first half stoppage time. The game finished 2-2.

 

Winchester City, meanwhile, continue to march on...

 

March results:

 

3-1 vs Swindon Supermarine (H)

3-0 vs Fleet Town (H, HSC semifinal)

3-0 vs Wantage Town (A)

0-3 vs Taunton Town (H)

1-1 vs Tiverton Town (A)

2-1 vs Slimbridge (H)

3-0 vs Bashley (A)

 

Table:

 

1. Banbury United P38 82pts

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2. Cinderford Town P35 81pts

3. Taunton Town P35 77pts

4. Winchester City P36 77pts

5. Swindon Supermarine P37 77pts

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6. Evesham United P37 69pts

7. Tiverton Town P35 60pts

8. Didcot Town P37 59pts

9. Shortwood United P34 59pts

...

20. Wantage Town P38 25pts

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21. Burnham P37 18pts

R. Bashley P38 2pts

 

Top scorers:

1. Warren Bentley (Winchester City) 41

2. Lewis Powell (Taunton Town) 28

3. Ricky Johnson (Banbury United) 24

4. Ethan Moore (Cinderford Town) 23

5. Adam Mann (Evesham United) 22

I actually went to watch Woking vs Barrow back in January. The linesman took a ball to the face in the first minute resulting in 15 minutes of first half stoppage time. The game finished 2-2.

Winchester City, meanwhile, continue to march on...

March results:

3-1 vs Swindon Supermarine (H)

3-0 vs Fleet Town (H, HSC semifinal)

3-0 vs Wantage Town (A)

0-3 vs Taunton Town (H)

1-1 vs Tiverton Town (A)

2-1 vs Slimbridge (H)

3-0 vs Bashley (A)

Table:

1. Banbury United P38 82pts

----------------------------------------

2. Cinderford Town P35 81pts

3. Taunton Town P35 77pts

4. Winchester City P36 77pts

5. Swindon Supermarine P37 77pts

----------------------------------------

6. Evesham United P37 69pts

7. Tiverton Town P35 60pts

8. Didcot Town P37 59pts

9. Shortwood United P34 59pts

...

20. Wantage Town P38 25pts

----------------------------------------

21. Burnham P37 18pts

R. Bashley P38 2pts

Top scorers:

1. Warren Bentley (Winchester City) 41

2. Lewis Powell (Taunton Town) 28

3. Ricky Johnson (Banbury United) 24

4. Ethan Moore (Cinderford Town) 23

5. Adam Mann (Evesham United) 22

Bromley played away to Tonbridge in the FA Cup a few years ago and the referee collapsed. Luckily, there was somebody in the crowd with the appropriate Referee qualifications so the game was able to continue. There was 17 minutes of first half stoppage time though which is quite possibly some kind of record.

Can't believe it. Welling have won again. Beat Tranmere 2-1 away. They go 21 games without winning and then win two in a row. A miraculous escape from relegation?

Histon have been relegated from the Southern League premier division, being fourth from bottom.

The three teams below them could still stay up due to games in hand.

All to play for at Dulwich Hamlet.  After being one of the favourites for promotion and going well up until the New Year the slump which followed was terrible with one point out of nine against the bottom three in consecutive weeks and cultimating in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to the old rivals Tooting & Mitcham Utd in the London Senior Cup semi final in front of around 300 travelling Hamlet fans.

 

The rot has stopped the last couple of weeks with some good loan singings and a play off place can still be won over the last five matches. Hampton & Richmond Borough ought to win the league with Tonbridge Angels, East Thurrock United and Bognor Regis grabbing three of the four play off places leaving Dulwich, Kingstonian (good form-game in hand), Enfield and possibly Leiston (Tomorrow's opponents away) to fight it out for the last place.

 

The planning application for the new ground has gone in and crowds are still brilliant averaging just under 1300, three times more than everyone else in the League and better than many National League clubs.

 

It should be an exciting three weeks left.

All to play for at Dulwich Hamlet. After being one of the favourites for promotion and going well up until the New Year the slump which followed was terrible with one point out of nine against the bottom three in consecutive weeks and cultimating in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to the old rivals Tooting & Mitcham Utd in the London Senior Cup semi final in front of around 300 travelling Hamlet fans.

The rot has stopped the last couple of weeks with some good loan singings and a play off place can still be won over the last five matches. Hampton & Richmond Borough ought to win the league with Tonbridge Angels, East Thurrock United and Bognor Regis grabbing three of the four play off places leaving Dulwich, Kingstonian (good form-game in hand), Enfield and possibly Leiston (Tomorrow's opponents away) to fight it out for the last place.

The planning application for the new ground has gone in and crowds are still brilliant averaging just under 1300, three times more than everyone else in the League and better than many National League clubs.

It should be an exciting three weeks left.

Your captain is an absolute legend. My favourite Bromley player ever.

Just over three years ago, Winchester City were close to folding. Today, they take on Havant & Waterlooville in the Hampshire Senior Cup final, having defeated Folland Sports, Eastleigh, Sholing and Fleet Town on the road to St Mary's.

 

Three years ago tomorrow, they played their first game since being saved, losing 3-1 at home to Bridgwater. 139 people turned up at the prospect of free football; might have been more had it not chucked down with rain! Incidentally, Winchester faced Bridgwater, at home, on the first day of this season, and won 7-2 after going 5-0 up-all 5 goals courtesy of Warren Bentley-in the first 42 minutes.

And after City went ahead after 30 minutes, they were denied a clear penalty on the hour mark before Havant equalised with 7 minutes left and won on penalties. Bugger.

 

At least Evesham lost at Bishops Cleeve, meaning a win on Saturday against Larkhall will secure a playoff spot.

A fantastic last day coming up tomorrow in the Isthmian PL.  Hampton & Richmond Borough ought to win the title tomorrow as thy have a 3 point lead and a better goal difference (4) over their only challenger Bognor Regis Town.  However Bognor are in great goal scoring form and have a home game against now safe Hendon while H&RB host Enfield who are the only challengers to Dulwich Hamlet for the last play-off place.

 

Dulwich Hamlet are away to Needham Market who are currently in the last relegation spot fighting it out with Burgess Hill Town for safety.  Both clubs may be safe anyway even if they both lose as Farnborough should be relegated a division anyway as they've had this penalty hanging over them for financial reasons since starting the season late.  If Needham Market and Burgess Hill both win then Farnborough take the last spot where their penalty increases to a two league relegation and back to county football!   However, the Ryamn League have a tendency for f**king things up, cue last season play off debacle over Enfield's ineligible player and neither Needham Market or Burgess Hill are 100% sure the Farnborough punishment will be implemented.

 

Anyway Dulwich Hamlet are going to Needham Market with all to play for, a big win and a Tonbridge Angels defeat will grab a third play off spot, away against the third rather than second place club which could be any one of Hampton, Bognor or East Thurrock United depending on tomorrows results, two coaches are full and a probably Hamlet contingent of around 300 making the journey.

 

At the end of last weeks matches, Dulwich Hamlet were the 20th best supported club in Non-League football averaging 1,343 just under three times more than every one else in the division , bearing in mind you have three National Leagues above including many ex-professional clubs.

 

Bromley Blue:  Danny Waldren has been a bit of a disappointment TBH,  I like him, very Lampard like but I feel he hasn't been used properly so it's definitely not all his fault.  The Dulwich Hamlet midfield has been the weak link this season but a lot of that has been down to the manager.  If the club win promotion than there's not a lot you can say and I'd hope he stays as his NL South experience will be vital.

Edited April 22, 201610 yr by Peckham Blue

In Southern League Division 1 South & West, Winchester travel to Shortwood tomorrow with the final play off spot in the bag after a 1-1 draw at Slimbridge on Wednesday night. Cinderford sewed the title up on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Taunton. Banbury vs Taunton is one to watch out for tomorrow; City will travel to whoever wins that (Banbury if it's a draw). The relegation spots are confirmed as well, all that's left is to see if Bashley can get their first league win of the season.

Dulwich Hamlet scraped into the play offs with a sh*t loss to Needham Market who were well worth their 2-1 win and safety probably 300 or so fans making the journey.   Hampton & Richmond Borough won the Isthmian League with a 0-0 draw against Enfield in front of a huge 2,376 attendance, not as big as Dulwich's highest this season though.

 

Bognor Regis Town did their best with a 4-0 win and now have Dulwich at home in the play offs on Thursday night.  It could be embarrassing though.

Winchester lost 1-0 at Banbury so the season is now over.

 

In the Southern Premier playoffs, Redditch lost on penalties to Leamington; apparently the fans took the defeat with very bad grace and tried to attack the Leamington supporters, and tried to stone the minibus (but waited in the wrong place).

No promotion for Dulwich Hamlet.  After a 90th minute winner against the odds away to Bognor in the play off semis, 800 odd travelling Hamlet fans saw a 3 -1 defeat to East Thurrock United.  ETU thoroughly deserved their victory and promotion, good luck to them next season.

 

Dulwich Hamlet will have to strengthen over the summer if there's going to be a promotion push again next season. The crowds are huge but the manger who's done wonders so far may need to change his approach and forget the passing game for a bit of steel in midfield needed at this level.  A proven goalscorer where the team play to his strength is another essential, it's no coincidence that Bognor and East Thurrock both have 30 goal a season men up front which helped them finish the season strongly.

 

A few of good away trips in store next season, Sudbury, Folkestone and Worthing.

The Southern League constitution has been decided and next season, Winchester will be rubbing shoulders with Salisbury and Hereford.

The Southern League constitution has been decided and next season, Winchester will be rubbing shoulders with Salisbury and Hereford.

Salisbury are pretty well supported I believe?