Non-League promotion and relegation battles: What’s at stake this weekend across Steps 1-4

By Etienne Jones

Another intense weekend of Non-League football is approaching, with promotions and relegations across the pyramid still to be decided and action everywhere you look this Saturday.

The Non-League Paper has looked at who could go up, down, or secure their play-off spots in their respective division.

Come and see what your side can do this weekend across Steps 1 to 4!

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National League

With Rochdale and York City still fighting hard at the top of the table, we look to the play-offs, where the race could be over should a range of conditions occur.

Forest Green United will be looking to seal a play-off spot if they secure a home win over Braintree Town, but will seal it regardless of whether FC Halifax Town can’t defeat Yeovil Town.

Southend United will also be hoping for a bad outing for the Shaymen, as a Shrimpers’ victory over Solihull Moors could lock Kevin Maher’s team into play-off contention, sealing the final place.

Down at the bottom of the table, we could be waving goodbye to both Morecambe and Brackley Town.

Jim Bentley’s men must beat Woking away from home, whilst Brackley Town must defeat fifth-place Scunthorpe United, to keep the fight going.

A victory for Eastleigh at Altrincham will all but guarantee safety should Morecambe and Brackley earn results.

National League North and South

There isn’t a title to be decided in either of these divisions, but multiple play-off spots can be confirmed in the North.

A point for Kidderminster Harriers at home to King’s Lynn Town secures qualification, whilst a win for Macclesfield against Merthyr Town gets them in too.

A draw could be enough, as long as Chester, Spennymoor Town and Buxton don’t pick up three points.

There are no relegation spots to be confirmed, with Hereford and Alfreton still within touching distance of Curzon Ashton.

The former boosted their chances with a midweek 1-0 victory over Marine.

In the south, Worthing and Dorking Wanderers won’t find out the conclusion to their title race, but can guarantee a play-off spot with victory.

No other clubs can secure their spot, with a gap of six points between third-place Torquay United and 11th-place Chelmsford City, so we look to the bottom of the table instead.

Bath City need to win at home to Chesham United to survive one more game, as they have a game in hand over Chippenham Town.

The Bluebirds are down if they can’t pick up points at Hampton & Richmond, and Farnborough beat Dover Athletic.

Step 3

Diving a bit lower, the four Step 3 leagues also have a lot to be solved and sorted out at both ends of the table.

Harborough Town can be crowned champions of the Southern League Central with victory over Halesowen Town, with a draw being enough if Spalding United drops points.

A win away from home at Redditch United will secure a play-off place for Real Bedford. Barwell will be all but relegated should they be defeated by Needham Market.

In the Southern League South, a win for Farnham Town at sixth-place Sholing would earn a play-off spot.

Hungerford Town will be relegated if they can’t earn a result over Basingstoke, and Evesham United earn one over champions Walton and Hersham.

Moving to the Isthmian Premier League, Aveley can get themselves into the playoffs with a win over St Albans City.

Billericay Town will join them with three points of their own over Ramsgate.

Potters Bar Town can keep their survival hopes alive with a victory over Chichester Town. A loss, with a win for Welling United, would see them relegated.

In the Northern Premier League, Stocksbridge Park Steels will secure safety due to Whitby Town taking on Hyde United, but will want to pick up points to avoid having to overturn a major goal difference swing.

FC United of Manchester can secure a play-off position with a victory and defeat for Stockton Town.

Step 4

In the NPL East, defeat for Bradford Park Avenue and victories for Emley AFC, Pontefract and Dunston UTS would lock in the remaining three play-off spots, with Brighouse Town and Newton Aycliffe needing wins to avoid relegation for one more game.

In the NPL Midlands, St Neots Town will be down if Loughborough Students or Bedworth United get a win, and they don’t.

Coventry Sphinx will want to get a result to improve their chances of survival.

Moving to the NPL West, defeat for Vauxhall Motors means victory for Runcorn Linnets earns them a play-off spot, with the rest of the league too close for anything else to be decided.

In the Southern League Division One Central, Leighton Town will be named champions if they beat already relegated Rayners Lane. Relegation has already been decided in that respective league.

In Division One South, a titanic relegation battle means Bashley must win; otherwise, they face relegation on Tuesday if Willand Rovers defeat Larkhall Athletic.

Moving to the Isthmian Leagues, Three Bridges will be named South East winners with a defeat of AFC Whyteleafe.

VCD Athletic and Beckenham Town need wins to survive, and that’s only if Merstham defeats Erith Town.

In Division One North, all eyes turn to Downham Town, where a defeat will all but guarantee relegation. Maldon & Tiptree remained locked in a title battle, tied with Felixstowe & Walton.

Finally, the Isthmian Division One Central South has little going on, with the champions already crowned.

Metropolitan Police and Littlehampton Town will need results to remain comfortably in the survival fight.

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