Chelmsford City now have a slightly clearer picture of their play-off fate following Tuesday night’s results.
City now know a semi final match-up with either Bath City, Braintree Town or Woking is most likely as Blue Square South clubs head into the pivotal final weekend of the season.
While a huge number of fascinating permutations are still possible, hypothetical plans can now be made for next week’s semis, with City definitely away to the fourth or fifth-placed team on Tuesday night before returning for the second leg the following Saturday. Should Glenn Pennyfather’s team be successful on aggregate, they will compete in the overall final on Thursday, 6th May at the home of the highest-placed finalist.
Chelmsford can finish second or third, with second guaranteeing a potential home final. City travel for a tricky finale at Havant & Waterlooville while their only challengers for second, Dover Athletic, host Staines Town. Dover could still, in theory, finish fourth though the chances are slight and Staines fell out of contention with defeat on Tuesday. Still with us? Here is a run-down of who could join City and Dover in the play-offs:
Bath City (71 points, last game home to mid-table St Alban’s City): The Twerton Park outfit technically need a win to fully guarantee a play-off spot, though a point should be enough with their strong goal difference proving an advantage over Woking.
Braintree Town (71 points, last game home to champions Newport County): Similar to Bath, a point should be enough for Town though they’d be peeking over their shoulders at Woking should Newport end their season with a win by a couple of goals or more.
Woking (69 points, last game home to relegated Weymouth): Put simply, the Surrey club have to gain three points. A narrow win against the bottom club wouldn’t be enough if Bath and Braintree avoid defeat though a heavy victory could dislodge either on goal difference. If Woking win and Bath and/or Braintree lose, they’re in!
Havant & Waterlooville (68 points, last game home to Chelmsford City): Havant are the outsiders though victory over the Clarets on Saturday would be enough to qualify via the back door if two of the three things happen: Bath lose; Braintree lose; Woking fail to win. Havant have the advantage of a better goal difference than the other three sides.
