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With 16 teams from four leagues bustling for promotion to Step Two, we preview the Step Three playoffs and give out promotion predictions.
On the final day of the season, Horsham, Billericay and Dartford were all level on points at the top, with Horsham leapfrogging Billericay on goal difference. Cray Valley Paper Mills were sat comfy in fourth, while Dover had to avoid defeat at Chichester to make the top five.
While Dartford technically missed out on the final day, their poor goal difference compared to the two above them made it a difficult task, so Dart fans were braced for disappointment. Adrian Pennock's side were leading the way until Easter Monday where they drew 2-2 with Cray Wanderers - a result that saw them slip down to third.
However, Dartford will fancy their chances in the playoffs. They host a Cray Valley Paper Mills side looking for another promotion. They came into the final day winning seven from eight, before rotation against Folkestone saw them defeated 1-2. The sides have met twice this season with Dartford taking four points and with home advantage the Darts should get over the line. The final will be either away at Billericay or at home to Dover.
Dover were leading the league for ages before a massive dip in form that nearly saw them miss out on the playoffs all together, whereas Billericay were overtaken on the final day despite winning 4-2. Their confidence will be crushed and it will not be a surprise to see Dover turn up and shock them, meaning Dartford have home advantage for the final against their rivals - a game I can see them emerging victorious.
Prediction: Dartford To Be Promoted @3.00
The winner of the Northern Premier League Premier Division has been a foregone conclusion for months now, with Macclesfield storming to the title with 109 points. Finishing second in the league were Worksop - the standout team in the playoffs. The Tigers begin their campaign by hosting Ashton in the Semi Final in a game they are clear bookie favourites.
The Robins finished 14 points behind their hosts in the league and won only three of their final 12 games, with these coming against 20th place Mickleover, 21st place Basford United and a Hebburn Town who were in the midst of a nine game winless streak. Their only away wins in 2025 have come against the bottom three so they should be swept aside by Worksop.
Guiseley and Stockton are hard to split in the other semi-final, but Worksop will rightly be favourite in the final as they look hard to beat. Unfortunately, their promotion odds have shortened making them too short to back as a single.
Prediction: Worksop To Be Promoted @1.66
The bookies are finding it hard to split the Southern League Premier Division Central and so am I. Kettering would've been my pick but their form is too inconsistent since their cup exploits, so I am siding with a club who have picked up since their cup run.
Harborough were loitering towards the bottom half of the table but with plenty of games in hands. The Bees flew up the league and reached the playoffs on the final day. Backed well financially, Mitch Austin's side will fancy their chances of causing an upset at Kettering on Tuesday night. With 42 goals conceded, they boast the second best defensive record in the league - a crucial statistic in low-margin games like these. They have also lost just twice since Boxing Day, with their last away loss coming on 14th December.
Austin took four points off Kettering already this season so knows he can beat them, while the potential final against AFC Telford or Halesowen. You can make a case for any of the four teams in this league to win the playoffs, but I am siding with the defensively resolute Bees.
Prediction: Harborough Town To Be Promoted @4.50
AFC Totton not winning the Southern League Premier Division South came as a surprise to many. The Stags were bookies favourites for the title but were beaten by rank outsiders Merthyr to the title. Jimmy Ball's side is stacked with non-league talent, while being spearheaded by England international Charlie Austin.
Totton ended the season unbeaten at home, only dropping 12 points at The Snows Stadium. Despite a strong end to the season, Dorchester will struggle to get a result against them, while I expect Walton and Hersham to sweep Gloucester aside with ease to set up a mouthwatering final. With home advantage, The Stags should finally secure promotion to the National League South.
Prediction: AFC Totton To Get Promoted @2.10
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