Sam’s Section: Tight-le race sees five team shoot-out in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League

You know what time it is. Time to have a delve into the footballing action in and around Gloucestershire this week.

With the majority of leagues having reached their climax, Division One of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League still has a fair few fixtures to fulfil, with the race for the title tighter than ever.

Forget Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title picture, five teams, all separated by just four points, are still in the running for the trophy after this weeks results.

Dursley Town- 5^th (56 points)

Town have been in the title picture since day one of the season but started to drop down the pecking order with a string of draws at the turn of year.

It also didn’t help dropping points against all of their title rivals in recent meetings but four wins in their last five matches has seen Karl Nash’s side stake their rightful claim in the race for the GNSL.

Wednesday night saw Town record a third successive victory defeating relegation threatened Stonehouse Town Reserves 3-1 at Ben’s Takeaway Stadium

Town have three vital games remaining with a trip to Lydney Town Reserves up first on Saturday, but know that they could win all three matches and still miss out on the top prize.

Longlevens Reserves- 4^th (57 points)

Levens are another team always up near the summit and recent victories against title rivals Tredworth Tigers and Brockworth Albion has seen them stay firmly in the picture.

But a 1-0 defeat against mid table Tewkesbury Town on Tuesday night saw their title ambitions take a hit with almost everyone picking up points around them.

Levens still have four games left to play, the most of any team in the race, which starts with their final home game of the season at Longford Lane against Bredon next Wednesday.

Dale Rawlins’ side could benefit from a week off between games – especially if any of their four rivals drop points before they kick off next.

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Brockworth Albion- 3^rd (58 points)

Albion are on for a fantastic treble this season after adding the GFA Senior Amateur County Cup to their Reg Davis Memorial Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Hanham Athletic on Tuesday night.

They are a side always putting their name in the hat for the title after finishing runners up last time out.

But with just two games remaining Albion cannot afford any dropped points if they are to steal the title and are in fine form to do so having lost just one of their last ten matches.

Brockworth are likely to go into their game at Charfield next Tuesday knowing that anything but a win will see their race come to an end.

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Tredworth Tigers- 2^nd (59 points)

Tredworth, as everyone should know by now, are one of the most rising sides in Gloucestershire as they hunt down a third successive promotion.

They have taken the GNSL Division One by storm, leading the way for portions of the season and have been the highest scoring team so far with 104 goals.

And the side stamped their intent for the title on Wednesday night with a thumping 6-3 victory over struggling FC Lakeside.

It’s a huge final three games for Tredworth who host a rejuvenated English Bicknor side on Saturday before taking on bottom side Berkeley Town the week after ahead of a potential title decider at Chalford on May 13^th.

Their firepower has Tredworth boasting the highest goal difference of the five, at the time of writing, meaning that every goal in their final matches – at either end, are crucial.

Chalford- 1^st (60 points)

Ben Powell’s side went top of the league on Wednesday night after a statement 7-0 demolishing of Woolaston, extending their unbeaten run to 15 games.

Chalford have come from nowhere after having a stumbly start to the season which saw them lose a number of regular players following their unfortunate promotion miss last campaign.

But a great unbeaten spell of form, including a run of five clean sheets in a row, have Chalford right in the mix and with goal difference so tight – those five clean sheets could prove vital.

As Powell’s final season as Chalford manager comes to a close, he’ll be looking to make it back-to-back titles and possibly go one further this season by achieving that well deserved promotion to the Gloucestershire County League.

Chalford have three games remaining to clinch the title, all at home, starting with Berkeley on Saturday, Bibury on Tuesday night before that major clash against with Tredworth.

Here is how the run in looks for the five sides:

Chalford

27/4 – Berkeley Town (H)
2/5 – Bibury (H)
13/5 – Tredworth Tigers (H)

Highest possible total points: 69 points

Tredworth Tigers

27/4 – English Bicknor (H)
4/5 – Bibury (H)
13/5 – Chalford (A)

Highest possible total points: 68 points

Brockworth Albion

30/4 – Charfield (A)
4/5 – Lydney Town Reserves (H)
Highest possible total points: 64 points

Longlevens Reserves

1/5 – Bredon (H)
4/5 – English Bicknor (A)
7/5 – Lydney Town Reserves (A)
11/5 – Woolaston (A)

Highest possible total points: 69 points