All roads head South (Central)!

By Ian Townsend

Walton, Marlow, Hanworth Villa and Northwood compete to see who can gain promotion. The Pitching In Isthmian South Central play offs start tonight


Many months ago, when watching Walton & Hersham compete in an FA Cup tie against Beaconsfield Town, we suggested that anyone who finished above the Swans would get promoted. And so it came to pass!

It's now time for the Swans, who saw their title trophy depart with a last minute Thatcham equaliser on Saturday, to try to bounce back against Northwood. Walton have beaten the Woods three times this season, but never after taking such a psychological blow. The travelling Woods have had a magnificent season whatever happens, won't be short of confidence and will expect to spring a surprise. There were twenty four points between the clubs at the end of the regular campaign, but as we all know, that won't make an ounce of difference tonight.

Elsewhere, Marlow welcome Hanworth Villa. Only a point separated the two at the end of the campaign, although Marlow did do the double over their visitors. That said, the Villains have ended the campaign magnificently, winning eight of their last ten, and will be confident of shocking their hosts. Marlow have only won won of their last four, but are consistently difficult to beat and have made scoring late goals something of an art form this season.

It shouldn't escape our attention that two of the clubs competing tonight were only promoted to our ranks at the end of last season. Whatever happens, to be involved in the promotion Play Offs at the end of your first season since promotion- for Villa, your first ever Step Four season- is quite extraordinary.

Congratulations and the best of luck to each of our four warriors this evening.

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