Sam’s Section: Waiting game or fixture overload lingers over Hellenic League clubs as play-off picture goes down to the wire
Refreshed, recharged and ready to go again. After a week off, which saw very little action due the weather luckily, I’m back with a look around Gloucestershire for all the footballing action.
Focus this week sits fixatedly on the Hellenic League Premier Division after the promotion picture vastly changed for many teams.
Weather has become Gloucestershire’s worst enemy this season knocking out multiple games week after week.
With no sign of an extension to the league season, many clubs will have to wait to find out if they’ve secured a position in the play-offs or whether they will have to play multiple games a week to earn that position.
And this scenario falls all the way down to 16th in the league with Brimscombe & Thrupp still mathematically in with a shot at the play-offs.
Last night, Thrupp earned a huge three points defeating fellow play-off chasers Cinderford Town, 3-1 at The Meadow thanks to Harlie Price and a Liam Harper brace.
Thrupp still have an absurd 14 games left to play in this season with 42 points up for grabs meaning, figurately speaking, they could still win the league.
Thrupp’s next two games could be vital as they host Thornbury Town on Saturday, who are still looking for points to guarantee their safety for another season before travelling to Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday, whom Thrupp sit five points off currently.
Brimscombe & Thrupp vs Thornbury Town (Hellenic Premier; 15:00 kick off)
Now, Cinderford Town are looking for an instant return to the Southern League and a recent resurgence in form, despite last night’s set-back, has put the Foresters in contention for a play-off spot.
The Foresters have 10 games remaining for the season and sitting just four points off the play-offs in 9th, puts them in a great position to claim a spot.
But Saturday will welcome a massive test for the Foresters as they welcome 7th placed, Worcester Raiders to the Causeway.
A win would see the Foresters go level on points with their opposition but jump above them on goal difference.
Raiders are unbeaten in their last four, but the Foresters have lost just twice in their last 13 matches which potentially makes them the favourites heading into Saturday.
Cinderford Town vs Worcester Raiders (Hellenic Premier; 15:00 kick off)
Onto Fairford Town who only have five games remaining and currently occupy 4th position, with a four-point cushion in their play-off pursuit.
No matter what happens, Fairford will be one of the teams waiting a long time to find out their fate in a bid for Southern League football.
And if they’re up for the challenge, that will be tested in their next two games as they face play-off rivals back-to-back.
Friday night sees a 3rd vs 4th clash when Fairford travel to Royal Wootton Bassett with a win taking them just a point behind their rivals.
Then next Saturday, Fairford host Slimbridge who sit just outside the play-offs on goal difference, and, at the time of writing, four points separate the two sides.
Royal Wootton Bassett vs Fairford Town (Hellenic Premier; Friday 8 March; 19:45 kick off)
Speaking of Slimbridge, the Swans have just seven games remaining in their pursuit for an instant return to the Southern League Div One South.
Tuesday night saw the Swans earn a hard fought 1-0 win away to Westfields which kept them in line with the play-off picture.
Adam Coyle and Tom Deakin’s side sit 6th in the league level on points with Highworth Town in 5th although Highworth still have three games in hand on the Swans.
Saturday boasts a tough test in the Swans play-off credentials as they travel to title chasing, Corsham Town who sit second, level on points with leaders Worcester City.
A win could send the Swans into the play-offs, but they will also want to keep a close eye on games elsewhere because Highworth host Roman Glass.
Any slip ups from the Coyle and Deakin’s side could be pounced upon by Roman Glass as a win could see the GFA Senior Challenge Cup semi-finalists leapfrog the Swans.
Corsham Town vs Slimbridge (Hellenic Premier; 15:00 kick off)
