With two games left in the non-league calendar, Step Two is heating up with promotion, playoffs and relegation still to be decided. Matthew O'Regan has his non-league best bets.
AFC Fylde are locked in a straight shootout for the title with South Shields. Both sides sit on 94 points, but Fylde trail on goal difference and face a difficult away trip to Merthyr on the final day. That makes this home fixture absolutely pivotal.
Fylde have lost their last three away matches, increasing the pressure to get their noses in front here. At Mill Farm, their games are rarely quiet - both teams have scored in 16 of their 22 home league matches, a clear sign of how open they can be.
That openness offers encouragement to Southport, who arrive with survival already secured after an excellent recent run. The Sandgrounders have scored in 15 of their last 16 matches, including goals against National League opposition such as Yeovil and Southend. They also won 1-0 on their last visit to Mill Farm in the FA Trophy.
With all the pressure on Fylde and none on Southport, this feels like a game where both sides will find space —and goals.
Chesham United have given themselves the faintest hope of a play-off push, winning five of their last seven to stay mathematically alive. With teams above them facing difficult fixtures, belief remains - for now.
Chesham’s approach is direct and aggressive. They rely heavily on set pieces and getting the ball forward quickly, a style that creates chances at both ends. Even in a recent 2-0 defeat to Worthing, they generated 2.22 expected goals, underlining how dangerous they can be.
Their recent results tell a clear story:4-0, 2-1, 1-2, 4-2, 1-2, 1-0, 3-4, 3-0, 4-1, 2-4 - goals everywhere.
Chelmsford City sit just one point behind Chesham, making this a must-win for both sides. As they chase the top seven, Chelmsford’s games have become increasingly open, with their last two away fixtures both ending 3-3.
With neither side able to settle for a draw, this has all the ingredients for another high-scoring contest.
Dorking Wanderers remain in the title race but arrive out of form, having lost their last three matches 3-0, 2-1 and 2-1. Defensive issues have played a major role, with Dorking now 13 games without a clean sheet.
Injuries have only compounded those problems. Defenders Louis Annesley and Tony Craig have both suffered long-term injuries, leaving an already stretched back line even more vulnerable.
Bath City may already be relegated, but they continue to play with freedom away from home. They’ve scored in six of their last seven away matches, including trips to strong home sides such as AFC Totton, Torquay and Chelmsford.
Bath also boast the league’s strongest BTTS away record, with 15 of their 22 road games seeing both teams score. With Dorking needing to push and Bath happy to counter, goals at both ends look likely again.
Worthing know exactly what’s required. Two points from their final two matches will secure a finish above Torquay and Hornchurch , while three will be enough to win the league outright.
Their attacking approach has been relentless all season. Worthing have scored 96 league goals, won six of their last seven, and impressed on the road with victories at Weston-super-Mare (3-2) and Dorking (2-1), before thrashing Dagenham & Redbridge 7–2 last time out.
They also boast enviable depth going forward, with four players in double figures, top scorer Brad Dolaghan back fit, and Wiktor Makowski - signed from Slough -contributing 19 goals this season, including three in five starts since arriving.
Maidstone United are no less dangerous. Over the last ten matches, only Worthing have collected more points. Maidstone have won six consecutive home games, scoring 21 goals and conceding seven in that run.
With this marking George Elokobi’s final home game in charge and play-off hopes still alive, expect a boisterous atmosphere.
Oxford City tend to raise their level against the division’s stronger sides and arrive on an eight-game unbeaten run that has pulled them clear of relegation trouble.
Both teams have scored in six of those eight matches, with the only exceptions being two controlled 2-0 victories.
Chester FC have been one of the league’s most reliable BTTS sides all season, with 30 of their 44 matches seeing goals at both ends - the third-highest total in the division.
In a must-win game for Chester’s play-off hopes, expect attacking intent from both sides.
+18 | Please gamble responsibly | Commercial content | T&Cs apply GambleAware.com
