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Non-League Paper

SO, after a blockbuster finale that not even the best scriptwriters could play out, Wrexham’s Hollywood
co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney finally found a route out of the National League to end
15 years of hurt for the die-hard Dragons fans.
But Notts County ensured they had to do it the hard way – by racking up an English league record 110
points to finally get over the line ahead of their season finale at Torquay United this afternoon
(Saturday).
That County amassed 106 points without being assured of promotion is a record itself and will probably
stay that way for some time to come. It’s truly been a National League title race to remember. Box office
stuff.
County’s hopes of joining their rivals in League Two next season now rest on the play-offs, where Luke
Williams’ men could enter the knockout stages as many as 40 points ahead of their next opponents.
You’d have to be pretty cruel to suggest that the Magpies don’t deserve to reclaim their place in the EFL
but, as well as all know, these are the play-offs and anything can happen.
Joining them in the mixing pot are Chesterfield and surprise package Woking, who are vying for third
spot, Barnet, who have sneaked in almost unnoticed under manager Dean Brennan, and Bromley, who
timed their run to perfection.
Boreham Wood, Southend United and, to a lesser extent, Eastleigh contest the final place.
At the bottom, it’s pretty much done and dusted with Maidstone United, Scunthorpe United and Yeovil
Town gone and Torquay needing to beat the champions with a plus-seven goal difference on
Maidenhead United.
The best promotion race in Non-League this year is undoubtedly in National League North where the
fate of title hopefuls AFC Fylde and King’s Lynn Town rests on the final day.
But it’s the race for a play-off spot which remains the most intriguing with three points separating no
fewer than NINE clubs going into the final 90 minutes of the season. Only Chester, in third, are assured
of a play-off place, with Darlington, in 13th, still in with a shout.
AFC Telford United, Bradford Park Avenue and Leamington are relegated, leaving Blyth Spartans,
Kettering Town, Farsley Celtic and Southport to scrap for survival.
The South is a lot more complete with 100-point Ebbsfleet well clear of the rest and the likes of Dartford,
Oxford City, Chelmsford City, Worthing, Braintree Town and either St Albans City or Havant &
Waterlooville (depending on Thursday night’s result at Concord Rangers) occupying the remaining play-
off spots.
Concord’s late push for survival rests on that game too, battling with Dulwich Hamlet and Weymouth,
but Hungerford Town and Cheshunt are already down.
In the Northern Premier League, Warrington Town and Bamber Bridge battle it out in the Premier Play-
Off Final in join South Shields at Step 2 next year, while the Step 4 Play-Off Finals will be contested by
Stockton Town and Long Eaton United (East), Halesowen Town and Spalding United (Midlands) and
Workington and Runcorn Linnets (West) after the latter knocked out runners-up Leek Town in Tuesday
night’s semi-final.
Spare a thought for Coalville Town, who missed out on the Southern Premier Central title on goal
difference, to Tamworth, before crashing out of the play-offs on penalties to Rushall Olympic on
Wednesday night, while Nuneaton Borough saw off Leiston in the other semi-final.
In Premier South, Bracknell Town and Truro City go head-to-head for the right to join Weston-Super-
Mare at Step 2 next season after seeing off Chesham United and Poole Town respectively – the latter
again on penalties.
Division One Central runners-up Biggleswade FC were humbled 4-1 by Ware in their home play-off semi
– and they take on Didcot Town in the final after they edged out Walthamstow. Sholing’s 2-1 victory
over Wimborne Town in Division One South sees them up against Hamworthy United in the final as they
look to join champions AFC Totton. The Hammers are looking to clinch a second successive promotion
after knocking out Evesham United.
The Isthmian League is just as fascinating with both Premier semi-finals decided be penalties – league
runners-up Hornchurch and Aveley getting past Cray Wanderers and Canvey Island respectively.
In South Central, Walton & Hersham got over the agony of conceding a last-minute penalty at Thatcham
Town which denied them the title by edging past Northwood 2-1 to set up a final date with Hanworth
Villa, who saw off Marlow. Basingstoke Town away the winners.
The North final will be contested by AFC Sudbury and Heybridge Swifts in front of an expected big
crowd, while the South East will see Whitehawk and Hythe Town lock horns. Hashtag United and
Chatham Town can put their feet up as champions.
At Step 5, congratulations go to champions Ascot United, Raynes Park Vale, Ipswich Wanderers, Enfield
FC, Cribbs FC, Walsall Wood, Vauxhall Motors, North Ferriby, Newton Aycliffe, Broadbridge Heath, Erith
& Belvedere, Leighton Town, Brixham, St Blazey, Anstey Nomads, Coventry Sphinx, Horndean and
Mousehole for their title success – they’ll be venturing into all new territory next season.