We’ve a critical West London derby as the battle for a play off place hits the home straight

Champions Bracknell Town are on the road to South Park, who will be confident of causing an upset given their own recent form. The Sparks are on a four match winning streak and scored six against Guernsey in midweek, so they won’t have an inferiority complex against the Robins- although with only ten goals conceded all season, perhaps we should all have an inferiority complex against the Robins!

With only five points between second and sixth- and five points between fourth and seventh- none of our play off candidates are yet certain of their spot with five matches to go. Second place Chertsey Town are on the road to Northwood, although with Woods away form this season they’d probably prefer to be travelling that hosting! Chertsey have lost only one of their last eight, whilst the Woods have only two defeats from ten and are certain of a comfortable finish.

Our match of the day comes from the end of the Heathrow runway, and it’s a local derby, as two of our West Londoners face off in a match that it critical to the promotion hopes of both. Bedfont Sports, in third place and in superb form, welcome fourth place Hanwell Town. Sports have won their last four matches and scored a rather incredible eighteen goals in the process, whereas the Geordies are four unbeaten with only two defeats in their last ten.

We’ve another big match as fifth place Basingstoke Town travel to seventh place Marlow. Two defeats in their last three have weakened Stoke’s promotion charge, whilst Marlow have lost three of their last five and are in danger of losing touch with the top five. A Marlow defeat would severely dent their promotion chances, whilst a Basingstoke defeat may see them fall out of the top five.

The side looking to replace Stoke in the top five are Uxbridge, a point behind and on the road to Binfield, who picked up our Pitching In Isthmian Performance of the Month Award for their win over Hanwell Town. The Moles are in fine form, seven matches unbeaten, and although only a mathematical miracle will see them trouble the top five then can severely hamper the hopes of others hoping to earn a play off place. As well as Uxbridge, their run in also sees them play Basingstoke, Chertsey and Marlow. Uxbridge will hope they’ve put some inconsistent form behind them- we shall see!

We’ve two big matches at the bottom of the table. Sutton Common Rovers, in fifteenth, have put five points between themselves and the bottom three with some super performances lately- and they are on the road to face the side one place and three points below them, Westfield. A win for the Woking side would see the two change places on goal difference.

Second bottom Chalfont St Peter welcome third bottom Tooting & Mitcham United. We’re not sure what’s happened to the Terrors this season, but they can’t afford to lose this one if they are to get out of the mire. Chalfont, another seven points behind, look doomed- but haven’t given up yet- but you suspect they’ll have to win at least four of their five remaining matches and hope others do badly.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.