It's Down To The Wire- Logan Rankin
It's the end relegation confirmed, but the playoffs and title winner not quite the yet this is all you need to know about what will happen on a big day for 5 different clubs.
Starting with the top 3, Billericay Town, Horsham, and Dartford.
Billericay Town | 1st place | 84 pts
Horsham | 2nd place | 84 pts
Dartford | 3rd place | 84 pts
Cray Valley | 4th place | 79 pts
Dover Athletic | 5th place | 73 pts
Chichester City | 6th place | 73 points
Billericay Town | 1st place | 84 points
After a large summer haul last year, Billericay have compiled a very strong squad, including the likes of Jack Paxman, Matt Johnson, and Sam Donkin. After their 3-0 victory at the start of the season, the tempo in the camp dropped with 3 straight 1-1 draws. The FA Cup didn't seem to work out for The Blues- as they were knocked out directly against Bowers and Pitsea in the Fourth Qualifying Round. Despite that major upset, Billericay went on a 10 game unbeaten streak until Saravia, of Carshalton Atheltic, scored in the 90+4th minute to ruin an unbeaten league start. It looks likely blues manager, Gary McCann, is pleased with his squad after adding a 3rd Velocity Cup trophy in an already decorated trophy cabinet, and being top of the league, and to be favourites to gain an automatic promotion to the league above.
Femi Akinwande has re-juvinated his Billericay career since departing for the second time to Tonbridge. Akinwande returned to New Lodge after he bid his fairwell to Hornchurch, Scoring his 3rd, 1st goal for the club against title threats Horsham, the 28 year-old frontman would go on and nearly join the leaderboard as being the second ever BTFC player to score back-to-back-to-back hattricks, after a hattrick against Lewes, Carshalton, and almost Bowers and Pitsea. Sam Donkin has been instrumental in the title hope beliefs as the 25 year-old stopped the ball from entering the back of the net on numerous occasions. The ex-Leiston fan favourite has racked up 15 cleans sheets within the league, and 18 in all competions, which has made him a trustworhing figure in-between the sticks.
In The Blues last fixture, they traveled to Canvey in an Essex derby where they fought hard and got what they deserved, they won 0-3 seeing Frankie Merrifield, Tommy Davis, and Decarry Sheriff guide Billericay to the summit of the Isthmian Premier League. Facing Cheshunt next, who are almost guaranteed to finish in 15th, they will look to bump The Blues of their path of promotion.
Horsham | 2nd place | 84 points
With Horsham being the second placed team in the league, last campaign wasn't as good as they fought for a 5th place finish, just to lose to Chatham on penalties. This season has been a mighty improvement for The Hornets as they brought in Chris Dickson, Montel Agyemang, and Charlie Hester-Cook. Horsham had a good start to last campaign. The FA Cup was impressive for them, reaching the First Round when they beat Dorking Wanderers 1-0. So far, The Hornets haven't been complacent this season and this has showed with 2nd in the league standings.
Chris Dickson has been a key component in The Hornet's success so far, in similarity to Akinwande, the 40 year-old has scored 14 goals. Dickson joined Horsham from Chatham Town in July of last year, the veteran forward has played across the word, with spells at Ermis Aradippou in Cyrus, many more cyprotic teams, Shanghai Port in China, and too many English clubs to write down. With Chris Dickson still playing football with high abilities and able to score multiple times, he's sure to keep going for next campaign.
In Horsham's last battle, they visited relegated Bognor Regis Town- and snatched a 1-3 victory and started the game 1-0 down, they made a comeback with an own-goal from Whyte and 2 late goals from Danny Barker and that was enough to secure the victory for The Hornets.
Dartford | 3rd place | 84 points
It was a massively underwhelming start for The Darts manager, Adrian Pennock, going with 9 losses in the early stage of the season. Dartford have picked up tremendous form in the latter stages of the season, going 22 games unbeaten- until they fell to Cheshunt 3-0. The Darts bounced back almost immediately with many wins and get ready for today.
Well it looks another player has reached 14 goals for their club. Olly Box. The 18 year-old has struck the Isthmian alight, the youngster started his career, believe it or not, recently in the Dartford academy, Box has been known as 'The best Dart academy prospect' and he's lived up to his name so fair, as he's the teams top scorer.
Reflecting on Dartford's last fixture, they faced Cray Wanderers, where it looked like they struggled massively. Dartford salvaged a 2-2 draw at Princes Park, they kicked-off the game top of the league but with Billericay, and Horsham prevailing, they dropped to 3rd. Originally 1-0 up, they went into a losing position to 2-2 with goals from Callum Jones, and Michael Olarewaju. 23 minutes later, goalscorer, Olarewaju was given his marking orders, in spite of their disavantage, Dartford came to life but Cray halted Dartford with a jaw-dropping goal line clearance in the 90+4th minute of the game.
Cray Valley (PM) | 4th place | 79 points
This is season has been nothing but a success for Cray this season, after being promoted last campaign. Starting the season strong, Valley gained 12 points from their first 5 games, however they also didn't have the greatest FA Cup run as they got past Badshot, but they lacked an attacking output against Chesham. They were defeated 2-0 that afternoon.
A highlight of Cray's season has to be Freddie Parker. The 24 year-old has found himself climbing up the golden boot leaderboard with 22 goals, he hasn't stopped and recently bagged a hattrick against Bognor. Parker joined from Sevenoaks Town last summer and is now a fan favourite with The Miller faithful. After having spells with Cray Wanderers and various non-league clubs, the frontman has preformed well since joining Millwall U18s at the start of his career.
Cray Valley secured their play-off position when they played Chatham Town and sneaked out as 1-0 winners with Dan Bowry grabbing the winning goal. The Millers will primarily focus on the promotion picture as they have nothing to play for.
Dover Athletic | 5th place | 73 points
Well, Dover has had a fall off to say the least. They were 10 points clear of second place, Billericay Town in November and now find themselves hoping for another chance to return to the League South. Since Billericay scrapped past them at The Crabble Athletic Ground, its been a metorotic downfall for The Whites- as they've only won a handful of games since that clash in late December.
With 66 goals split across the 3 of them it'd be hard just to single 1 out. With 24 goals, George Nikaj, with 22 goals Ruben-Soares Junior, and with 20 goals, Luke Baptiste. Nikaj joined Dover from the youth ranks, Soares from Billericay Town, and Baptiste also from the youth setup. With the 'magnifico', Ruben Soares-Junior, playing in his home country, Portugal, Scotland, and England he's made an almost instant impact at almost ever club he played for.
It's a massive game for Dover, as they face Chichester for a final game play-off clash which is a must win game if they need to have a redemption story for a possible return to the division above. Will it be possible for The Whites to secure promotion?
Chichester City | 6th place | 73 points
Many people have predicted that The Lilywhites would be relegated this season, and that's far from the truth. Chichester were stunned in the first 5 games of the season, picking up 6 points from a possible 15, although not the worst start to a league campaign, The Lilywhite camp knew they could do better. They've forgotten about their bad times in the Isthmian and sit 6th in the table with one chance at promotion.
Jimmy Wild has taken the league truly by storm as the 6'7 forward has had a lustrous campaign scoring 25 goals ahead of the clash. Wild was asked to trial for Chi randomly while sitting on the stands of one of their games, and has never looked back since.
With a 0-1 victory over Whitehawk, Chichester have put on perfect preparation for their vital clash against Dover Athletic. Last time they played, Dover came out victorious putting 5 goals past Magee. Chichester have impoved, Dover have arguably worsened. What will happen?
Such a tight league- only 1 can win the title. And 4 four can get in the playoffs. Who will it be...
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