A Pitching In Isthmian South Central Non League Day

We suspect that no incentives are really required to persuade you to attend Basingstoke Town’s match against Hanworth Villa, but there are some, anyway! Stoke are four points clear at the top of the table with six matches to go, and we already know that either they or Walton & Hersham will win the title and automatic promotion, but neither side can afford to drop any points at this stage. The visiting Villains are also desperate for the points, as although they currently occupy fifth place there are three clubs who could replace them in the top five were they to lose. Another win for the hosts would make it sixteen in a row- and they defeated their opponents four-nil at the end of August.

If you are a season ticket holder from a Premier League or Football League club, then in honour of Non League Day you will be admitted at concession rate on production of that season ticket.

The second place Swans will be hoping Stoke slip up- as they need a slip up from the leaders at some point to have any chance of catching them. Walton take their twelve match winning run on the road to Uxbridge, a side they defeated three-one back in August. The hosting reds are struggling to win games- they’ve won only two of their last ten- but with three defeats from the same period they aren’t losing many, either.

Third place Marlow’s match with Tooting & Mitcham United on Saturday is important at both ends of the table. The hosts will be looking for another three points as they try to cement a home play off Semi-Final berth, whilst the visitors look destined to leave the Isthmian League for the first time since 1956. Fourteen points from safety with only six matches to go, a bottom four place could even be sealed this weekend, which would leave them with hope of a relegation play off place at best. The hosts are eight unbeaten, whilst the visitors have lost their last five.

To celebrate Non League Day, Pitching In Ambassador Stuart Pearce will be in attendance, signing autographs, posing for selfies, and glaring menacingly at wingers who dare to wander in his direction. Actually, he might not be doing the latter, but we can’t really picture him doing anything else. Thanks to Stuart for his support, which is greatly appreciated.

Northwood, in fourth, look secure in a play off place as they welcome Westfield, one of the sides still fighting hard to claim one. Woods have a nine point cushion over the chasing pack, whilst Field have to make up the four points between themselves and fifth place. Woods have lost their last two so will be committed to ensuring that blip doesn’t become a pattern, whilst field have only two wins from ten but haven’t given up on a play off place yet.

The match between Chertsey Town and Sutton Common Rovers is crucial at both ends of the table. The Curfews, a point outside the top five, are on their worst run of the season, seven matches without a win, and really can’t afford to lose- whilst their opponents, who are five points from safety, would also be desperately disappointed with defeat. Rovers have only lost one of their last eight, but having drawn half the matches on that run need to turn those draws into victories with only five games to go- at least one fewer than their relegation rivals.

The Curfews have announced that all of their season ticket holders, and all of the visitors season ticket holders, can bring a friend who will get in for half price. They’ve also confirmed that Premier League and Football League season ticket holders will get the same offer. Oh, and after the game they are hosting a race night.

The worldflow Stadium hosts another match critical at both ends, as Merstham welcome Binfield. The Moatsiders have closed to within three points of safety, and could climb out of the bottom four for the first time this season if they win and Ashford Town lose at South Park. The Moles are focused on the top five, and start the weekend in seventh place but only two points short of the promised land. The last time the two sides met Binfield triumphed by four goals to nil, but Merstham seem an entirely different prospect- seven games without defeat- whilst the Moles fortunes have gone the other way, with only one win from their last nine matches.

You can watch for just a pound, and there will be a collection for Prostate Cancer UK. There will also be live music in the bar from 7PM.

South Park, in eleventh, are still only six points away from fifth place despite a poor recent run which has seen them win only one of their last ten. The Sparks play host to an Ashford Town side who are even more desperate for points, for if their poor run continues they could find themselves in the bottom four at full time. The Tangerines have only taken five points from the last thirty available, and have the worst goal difference in the division- minus thirty seven.

Chipstead are ten points above the bottom four and seven points short of the top five, so can’t yet mark themselves safe from promotion or relegation with six games to go. The Chips, who have lost only one of their last five, welcome Bedfont Sports to the High Road, their visitors in deep trouble after a run of nine games without a win- a run which sees them start the weekend second bottom and six points from safety.

Leatherhead, eight points away from a top five spot, and visitors Thatcham Town, who are three points better off, will probably think that three points are a must if they are to gain admission to the end of season party. The Tanners, who have two wins from their last three, have a game in hand over their visitors, and defeated them the last time they met. The Kingfishers are a different prospect from that last meeting, difficult to defeat and with only two losses from their last ten.

The Tanners have announced that season ticket holders from Premier League and Football League clubs can watch for a fiver. Just don’t forget to bring your season ticket!

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