Much has been made of the National League South title race, with six teams still in title contention heading into the final game. This article will look at the six teams in the race, predicting the final table.
Prior to the inevitable final day drama, the top six as it stands is.
1. Truro - 86 points - 30 GD
2. Torquay - 86 points - 28 GD
3. Eastbourne Borough - 85 points - 24 GD
4. Worthing - 85 Points - 16 GD
5. Boreham Wood - 83 points - 36 GD
6. Dorking Wanderers - 83 points - 33 GD
Every team in this cluster needs a win. A draw does nobody any good, so expect plenty of attacking football on Saturday afternoon. Not only do Truro need all three points, ST Albans also need a result. The Saints sit in the bottom four, but just one goal difference behind Salisbury who travel to already relegated Welling.
Truro suffered a disappointing loss to Torquay in Easter Friday, before a fantastic 0-2 win at playoff chasing Weston Super Mare put them back in the driving seat.
St Albans have lost just one of their last seven games, although just one of these matches were away. Wily campaigner Ian Culverhouse has made his side hard to beat, but he will be keen to turn these draws into victories.
At home, the Tinnermen have the the fifth best record in the league, taking 44 points from 22. Away from home, St Albans have won just twice, also drawing 10/22 on the road.
As has been the case with recent St Albans games, it should be a tight, low-margin game - one I think the hosts just edge.
Score Prediction: Truro 2-1 St Albans
Hemel Hempstead looked embroiled in a relegation battle after a run of 11 losses from 12, but the steady hands of Lee Allinson has steered them up to 12th place. The Tudors have lost just one of their 12 home games under him. However, they have nothing to play for so expect the 39-year-old to experiment with his squad.
Torquay were the winners of the Easter Bank holiday weekend, winning both games whilst those around them dropped points. The Gulls have snuck into contention after just one loss in 12. Away from home, Paul Wotton's side have the fifth best record, winning the last five - with the last four being 0-1. With Torquay 2 goal difference behind Truro who have a very winnable game, expect them to go for the jugular at Vauxhall Road.
Prediction: Hemel Hempstead 1-3 Torquay
Perhaps the surprise package, Eastbourne Borough were priced as 40/1 to win the league in pre-season but have kept pace with with those around them. A 1-1 draw at home to fellow Sussex side Worthing on Good Friday made it an uphill battle, but the Sports won 0-1 at Salisbury to keep their feint hopes alive. Adam Murray's side only loss in the last 12 games came against Dorking, so come into this in good form.
Eastbourne are still unbeaten at home, conceding just 18 goals. Goal difference plays no part in them winning the league, so if they go into an early lead, Borough should flex their defensive muscles and sit on the lead.
Weston Super-Mare came into the Easter Weekend off the back of a seven game unbeaten run but ultimately blew their chance of playoffs after losing both games without a goal.
Prediction: Eastbourne 1-0 Weston Super-Mare
Worthing sat atop of the table before a huge two games away at Eastbourne Borough and at home to Dorking. The Rebels drew both games 1-1 and it now looks mission impossible to win the league, settling for the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Chris Agutter has done a commendable job in the dugout at Woodside Road, making his side free-scoring despite losing talisman Ollie Pearce and creative maestro Joe Felix to National League side York. Worthing have failed to win in their last three away games and must eliminate their away-day woes if they are to pull off a miracle.
Enfield's -35 goal difference is the worst of the three teams hoping to avoid final-day relegation, but they sit three points clear, needing just a point to survive. Gavin Macpherson will however be nervously checking the scores at Welling and Truro as Worthing are relentless in attack.
Prediction: Enfield 1-3 Worthing
Tonbridge Angels are a side sat in the bottom half after failing to win their last seven games. Craig Nelson's side have nothing to play for but could make it difficult for their visitors after winning half their games at Longmead Stadium.
Boreham Wood have won four games in a row coming into this weekend but need a miracle. Luke Garrard's side have struggled on the road but should have enough for a Tonbridge side on the beach.
Prediction: Tonbridge 1-2 Boreham Wood
Dorking are relying on the top two to lose and Worthing, Eastbourne and Boreham Wood not to win in order to win the league. It looks a monumental task but one that owner/manager Marc White won't shy away from. They come into this game with just one loss in 18 - coming against Torquay - a result that could prove costly in the title hunt. The Wanderers have the best attacking record in the league, scoring 87 goals. However, their record at Meadowbank will frustrate White- they rank eighth in this statistic.
Chesham have had a solid season in the National League South after promotion last year. The Generals sit sixteenth in the league after being virtually safe for weeks. Chesham games have been entertaining and Saturday should be no different.
Dorking 4-1 Chesham
I think all six teams in the hunt win in what should be a topsy-turvy afternoon for those connected to the various clubs.
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