Page 12 - Patchway Town v Frampton Utd 060523

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.