Sam’s Section: Gloucester and Cleeve hunt play-offs plus Tewkesbury and Whaddon in title showdown in bumper Easter weekend
It’s the business end of the season and a busy Easter weekend of football around Gloucestershire as teams look to all but secure titles and play-off positions.
During this week’s segment, I’ll be looking into Gloucester City and Bishops Cleeve’s push to secure play-off football in the Southern Leagues.
And in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, Tewkesbury Town look to seal the title against chasers, Whaddon United.
Southern League Play-Off Pushes
Gloucester City could secure their spot in the Southern League Premier South over the weekend and as early as Good Friday with a victory over bottom side, Marlow at The TigerTurf Stadium.
City would need Havant & Waterlooville to drop points during their game at home to Bracknell Town on Saturday.
But a win on Saturday and a point on Monday away at Swindon Supermarine would guarantee City their spot regardless of results elsewhere.
Form isn’t on City’s side as the Tigers have picked up just two wins from their previous seven games and are winless in their last two following a defeat away to Chertsey Town on Saturday and a six-goal thrilling draw with Dorchester Town.
However at home, City have lost just one of their last 11 so will be hoping that they can continue their home momentum as they chase down promotion back to the National League.
Down in the Southern League South Div One, Bishops Cleeve fairytale season continues as they will be looking to stamp their position in the play-offs whilst also keeping chase on the title.
Cleeve sit third heading into the weekend as outsiders for the title, eight points off joint leaders Yate Town and Evesham United whilst holding a five point cushion inside the play-off spots.
The Mitres could secure a top five finish by Monday as they face strugglers Thatcham Tonw on Saturday before a taking on leaders and rivals Evesham United on Monday.
In order to secure play-offs on Saturday, Cleeve would rely on results elsewhere with Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Exmouth Town but record two wins in two days and that position is the Mitres.
Cleeve head into this run of important fixtures off the back of three straight wins and one defeat in their last six in the league, so will be hoping this momentum will guide them towards the title.
GNSL Title On The Line
It’s an important weekend in the GNSL Division One title race as Tewkesbury Town could wrap up the prize with a win over second placed and chasers Whaddon United on Saturday.
This will be Tewkesbury’s final game of the season but know that anything less than three points will allow Whaddon, who still have five games left to play this season and sit 10 points off the leaders, to have a chance of stealing the title.
Whaddon can only afford to drop four points if they defeat Tewkesbury in their pursuit for the title and possible promotion to the Gloucestershire County League.
Both sides have been almost perfect this season suffering just one defeat a piece with Tewkesbury’s only defeat coming against Dursley Town in November whilst Whaddon’s came in this reverse fixture back in August.
And both sides are in impressive form with Tewkesbury unbeaten in 17 league games whilst Whaddon arrive on a 23-game league unbeaten streak.
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Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
