Bostik 17/18- a season in review: March

By Ian Townsend

Once more the weather played havoc with our football, and the lead at the top of the Premier Division changed four times only to end how it had begun. Dulwich Hamlet went into crisis mode.

On the pitch

The first Saturday of the month saw Non League football across the country take an enforced day off courtesy of the 'Beast from the East,' but we got to watch a little- and it was marvellous! Worthing took on Billericay Town, and...well, you can read the rest here. Only four non league matches got the go-ahead, and we had three of them, as Grays Athletic and Folkestone Invicta- due to the efforts of 50 volunteers- also survived.

When we finally got some football, Dulwich Hamlet- in turmoil off the pitch (see below) travelled to Billericay Town and inflicted yet another defeat on the stuttering champions-elect to go top. Jack Barham was in the news again, the Greenwich Borough striker scoring five goals as his side thrashed Molesey; but the Rooks of Lewes remained at the South Division summit, putting four goals past sorry Shoreham.

Brentwood Town keeper Anthony Page comforted after conceding a last gasp goal

Brentwood Town keeper Anthony Page comforted after conceding a last gasp goal

By the 10th March Folkestone Invicta were top of the league, and the weather continued to cause postponements. We were at Hendon, who were taking on Margate in a match significant to both sides Playoff hopes. It ended in a draw- here's our take on proceedings. The lead at the top of the Premier Division changed twice more before the end of the month, Dulwich Hamlet and Billericay Town taking turns to be top, but April was to dawn with Dulwich holding the lead, and Billericay still searching for consistency.

AFC Hornchurch ended the month ten points clear at the top of the North Division, but second place Bowers had been joined ominously by Potters Bar Town, whilst at the other end Romford looked marooned, five points behind Norwich United. Lewes still led in the South, five points clear of Carshalton Athletic who had two matches in hand, whilst the Playoff places looked as good as certain, Walton Casuals holding the last slot six points clear of Hythe Town.

We watched the other Casuals- Corinthian- entertain Cray Wanderers looking for a ninth successive win. They didn't get one, and they ran out of cheese, as you can find out here.

Off the pitch

Margate fans at Hendon

Margate fans at Hendon

Aveley's shiny new Parkside Stadium won an award for best new non league ground, whilst Dorking Wanderers hoped to open their new Meadowbank shortly- sadly those hopes were dashed. Work began on Horsham's new stadium, and Guernsey announced plans to build one of their own.

Lowestoft Town announced 'significant financial difficulties,' whilst Dulwich Hamlet were thrown deeper into crisis when they were locked out of their own stadium by the strange folk at Meadow- and their supporters started a campaign to get the football world to take notice. We soon had 'Save the Trawlerboys' and 'Save the Hamlet' campaigns running in tandem.

i Newspaper reporter Sam Cunningham took our name in vain after watching Tottenham Hotspur take on Juventus, describing the game thus:

'After the break Juventus adopted the tactics of a relegation-threatened Isthmian League side and started kicking lumps out of their opponents. Chiellini pole-axed Alli as Spurs broke in a challenge that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an MMA fight.'

Burgess Hill Town under water

Burgess Hill Town under water

He later sent an apology and promised to come and take in a match from our league and write an article for the paper, but asked that we didn't publicise his apology because it would detract from the article. WE HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD FROM HIM SINCE.

Brentwood Town FC provided our image of the year, as young fan Jessica consoled Blues keeper Anthony Page after Town went out of the Velocity Trophy to Dulwich Hamlet.

Hamlet were everywhere, and they were also now in Tooting, as the Terrors offered to share their ground with their biggest rivals. Southwark Council were also helping out, threatening Meadow with the compulsory purchase of Champion Hill.

Staines Town were put up for sale, and East Grinstead Town launched a disability football partnership.

Worthing fans celebrate beating Billericay Town

Worthing fans celebrate beating Billericay Town

Reg and Allan- still sailing after almost fifty years

Julian and Dave- Rebels with a cause

Where next?

Bostik 17/18- a season in review: April/May Promotion! Relegation! Playoff heartache! Enough rain to float an ark...
Bostik 17/18- a season in review: February February brought more terrible weather, and the gap closed in the Premier Division- whilst the Urchins seemed to be running away in the North.

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