Will the Moles complete their great escape?

By Ian Townsend

Ten points from safety three weeks ago, Binfield’s progress has been astonishing- can they complete the job? Chips and Tangerines also compete for survival, whilst Tanners, The All and Field fight for third


Will the Moles complete their great escape?

Ten points from safety three weeks ago, Binfield’s progress has been astonishing- can they complete the job? Chips and Tangerines compete for safety, whilst Tanners, The All and Field fight for third

Binfield have opened up a three point lead over second bottom Chipstead, a six match unbeaten run of fourteen points from eighteen overturning a seemingly unmanageable deficit and leaving the Chips in dire trouble. The Moles welcome Uxbridge to their Iconic Stadium needing only a point to stay up, whilst the Chips face the difficult task of travelling to fourth place Southall and emerging victorious, whilst hoping that Binfield lose- or that Ashford Town are on the receiving end of a thumping by Metropolitan Police.

Chipstead have taken only eight points from their last ten fixtures, and have only two wins from nineteen, which is why they find themselves in this predicament. Their hosts, Southall, are aware that they have a play off spot confirmed, but could even take a home play off spot if they were to win and third place Leatherhead lose against Hartley Wintney. The All have found form in a big way, winning their last six matches.

Ashford Town also need only a point to confirm safety, and they travel to Met Police, who are two places and four points better off. The Tangerines have three wins and seven defeats from their last ten, whilst Met’s victory last time out was their first in ten, so neither side is in particularly good form. An Ashford defeat may still bring them survival even if Chipstead win, as their goal difference is six better than the Chips, but we’re sure the Tangerines won’t want to let things to reach that stage.

Second place Marlow welcome Hanworth Villa to the Alfred Davis Ground, the hosts three points- and nineteen goals- clear of Leatherhead in the battle for second, so aware that it would take something rather unprecedented for them to slip to third! Marlow have won five of their last six and look in fine form with the Play Offs on the horizon, whilst Villa have only one defeat from ten and will hope for a positive end to the campaign- although whatever happens they will finish seventh.

Leatherhead welcome Hartley Wintney to Fetcham Grove. The Tanners are three points clear of Southall and Westfield in the battle for third place and home advantage in the play offs, so just have to avoid defeat to hang onto third- but will very much want to avoid defeat and not allow The All to sneak above them. They have lost two of their last three, but The Row’s victory in Guernsey in midweek was their first in nine matches.

Westfield have been in magnificent form, and have won their last six matches. Victory could see them climb to fourth were they to better Southall’s result, and they will have hope of doing so, as bottom side Corinthian-Casuals make the trip to Woking Park.

Raynes Park Vale have had a fine campaign, and our sixth place side will hope to put their failure to reach the play offs behind them as they welcome Guernsey in a match which kicks off at 2PM. Vale are nine unbeaten, but draws in their last three have cost them dearly- whilst the Green Lions have taken only two points from the last thirty available to them, but are safe from relegation.

Champions Chertsey Town have already reached one hundred goals- one hundred and one, actually- and will reach one hundred points if they can defeat Badshot Lea at Alwyns Lane; whilst if the Baggies can upset the odds they could leap into the top ten, and we suspect they’d like that very much.

Northwood, in fifteenth, take on the side two places and three points ahead of them, Ascot United, hoping for a win which will see them go ahead of their visitors; whilst ninth place Thatcham Town will go eighth if they can defeat Sutton Common Rovers.

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

Where next?

Will this be the Millers moment? A point will give Cray Valley PM the title- can Horndean spoil their party? Ramsgate need to defeat Three Bridges and hope the Deans deliver an unexpected triumph
It’s all about the place Any one of three clubs could finish second, any two of four could take home advantage for the North Division play offs. It’s an important weekend for Bowers, Bury, Felixstowe and Brentwood

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe