The title race isn’t over- but our main focus is elsewhere

As we write, leaders Hashtag United have a three point lead at the top- but that could narrow, as second place AFC Sudbury travel to Maldon & Tiptree on Good Friday. The Tags have looked a little more vulnerable of late, needed very late goals to defeat Felixstowe and Walton United and Coggeshall Town, and of course losing to Stowmarket Town in between those two- and they might not have things entirely their own way as they travel to Gorleston. The Greens have had a superb last couple of months, dragging themselves out of the bottom four and giving themselves a seven point cushion over the relegation places- and they will be buoyant after reaching the Norfolk Cup Final with a semi-final victory in midweek.

Third place Lowestoft Town have a five point advantage in the battle for a home play off spot. They are also on the road, travelling to Basildon United, who have hauled themselves to ten points clear of safety and can nearly consider themselves safe for another season. The Bees have played some fine football over the past couple of months and have only three defeats from ten, the last two against sides in the top five; whilst the Trawler Boys have looked a little vulnerable, losing their last two and conceding five at Maldon & Tiptree in their last match- a fortnight ago. They’ll hope to get that trawler back on an even keel pretty quickly with the play offs approaching.

Stowmarket Town have been hit hard by the manager/performance/goalkeeper of the month awards curse (yes, they won all of them for March), losing both matches since the start of April. Our fourth place side face the stern test of visiting Heybridge Swifts, who are only a point behind in sixth spot and could even replace Stow in the play off places with victory. Swifts have won their last three, picked up a Cup in midweek, and will be full of confidence- but lost three-one the last time the two sides met, in December.

Fifth place Felixstowe and Walton United had to fight hard to win at Basildon United in midweek, but win they did, and they occupy that fifth spot courtesy of better goal difference than Heybridge Swifts. The Seasiders travel for a local derby, Bury Town their hosts- the Ram Meadow side also picking up a late midweek win and finally looking as if they’ve found their mojo, with only one defeat from their last four bringing to an end a very poor run. The Ram Meadow faithful would surely like to take bragging rights this weekend- particularly as it would complete a double over the Seasiders.

Grays Athletic have fallen two points behind the top five, and will hope to bridge that gap as they travel to face relegation-threatened Great Wakering Rovers. Athletic have only one win from their last four, whilst Rovers have looked much improved of late, losing only one of their last five, but have an eight point gap between themselves and safety. When the two sides met in December, goals from Lewis Clark and Sam Bantick earned Athletic a two-one win.

We have a mid table battle as East Thurrock United welcome New Salamis. The Rocks underwent major chance a few weeks ago and have consequently lost their last four; whilst Salamis got back to winning ways with victory over Witham Town on Sunday- and although that was only their second win in ten they are always hard to beat, drawing five of the other eight.

Coggeshall Town saw their relegation fight boosted with six points this week, as apart from defeating Stowmarket Town they were awarded three points for victory over Great Wakering Rovers in February- a match which was abandoned with seconds remaining after a serious player injury with the Seed Growers ahead. That still leaves them seven points from safety, but it will put real spring in their step as Wroxham come to call. The Yachtsmen are twelfth, and yet have been a real success story in the second half of the season, and have lost only two of their last ten. They need the points for nothing but pride, but they’ve shown a great deal of that so the visitors will need to be at their best to get closer to safety.

Witham Town have a seven point gap between themselves and the danger zone- and a massive match this weekend, as Tilbury come to call. Victory could- depending on other results- even ensure Town’s safety, but with the Dockers having fallen into the automatic relegation positions this week things are even more desperate at Chadfields. With nine points between themselves and safety, defeat could see Tilbury left with only a relegation play off spot to aim for, and with only one win- and eight defeats- from their last ten, it would take a huge turnaround in form for escape to become possible. Witham have only one defeat from their last four.

Brentwood Town could condemn Hullbridge Sports to- at best- a relegation play off if their visitors leave the Arena with nothing. Town have lost only one of their last ten although have become something of draw specialists of late; whilst Sports have gone nine matches without a win and are thirteen points from safety with fifteen to play for. Perhaps the best they can hope for is a relegation play off spot, but they’ve a five point gap to make up to achieve even that.

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