- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 433,538
- Reaction score
- 44
You must be registered for see images attach
Truro City’s Connor Riley-Lowe leaps on team-mates during their recent win over Weston-super-Mare. Truro are hoping to cling on to top spot on Saturday - Phil Mino/Shutterstock
With Liverpool the Premier League’s champions-elect, automatic promotion wrapped up in the Championship and Birmingham walking to the League One title, the end-of-season anticipation is running thin in the upper echelons of the English football pyramid.
However, a peek into the sixth tier reveals its final day is shaping up to have more drama than a soap opera.
National League South has surely never seen anything like it, as the top six teams are separated by just three points heading into the final day, with the hunt for the title – and the only automatic promotion spot – going down to the wire.
Truro City, Torquay United, Eastbourne Borough, Worthing, Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers could all still end up champions. “There have been some epic title races down the years, but I’ve certainly never known one quite like this where six teams can win the title on the final day,” said Mark Badcock, editor of the The Non-League Paper.
“It’s been shaping up this way for a large part of the run-in but still seems incredible. This is the situation with just 90 minutes, plus stoppages, left of the whole season.”
With Dorking Wanderers sixth, Marc White’s face the toughest task to claim top spot. White is still hopeful of pulling off an upset, though he had other permutations on his mind when asked about the intriguing final day.
“If you’re the league, where the f--- are you going to take the trophy?” he said. “Are you going to go to Truro? It’s nearer to get to f-----g Los Angeles than Truro, or are you going to be in a helicopter over London somewhere?”
You must be registered for see images attach
Torquay players congratulate Jordan Dyer on his goal in the victory over Weymouth earlier this month. The Devon side go into the final day level on points with Truro - Frankie O'Keefe/Shutterstock
Torquay United, one of the heavyweights of this division, occupy second spot, with a goal difference of two separating them from leaders Truro. Around 1,900 Torquay supporters are expected to travel to their match at Hemel Hempstead, with the Devon club aiming to end a two-year exodus from the National League.
“It’s difficult for Torquay United as there is a target on our back,” manager Paul Wotton said. “Everyone raises their game against Torquay, and everyone wants to beat Torquay, so we’ve had to deal with that.
“There’s a lot of pressure managing this and great expectation. The Torquay badge can weigh heavy in the National League South on players, but all we’ve done is given ourselves a chance of achieving something special.”
Eastbourne Borough are just one point off the summit. Adam Murray’s men have been sensational at their home ground Priory Lane and are unbeaten in their 22 league games there this season, winning 13 and drawing nine. That bodes well for their home clash with Weston-super-Mare.
Forward George Alexander has been key to their charge up the table, scoring 24 times from 38 appearances. But an injury issue for the 23-year-old could put the brakes on their bid for the top spot.
“He’s been nursing a knock so whether he’s going to be fit for Saturday we don’t know yet,” Murray said, “but he’s been a big part of what we’re doing and we’re trying to get to get the balance right of when we risk him and when we put cotton wool round him. He’ll be ready if needed.”
Truro are in the driving seat to finish top, which would make them the first Cornish side to secure a place in the National League. Their game against relegation-threatened St Albans City is a must-win for both teams, with manager John Askey reiterating the message to his players.
“Winning is the only thing that matters,” he said. “It will give the whole of Cornwall, football-wise, a massive boost. It’s not only vital to the club but it’s important to the whole area.”
Fourth in the table on 85 points, Worthing would need the top not to win for them to steal top spot. They have managed just two wins from their past six games ahead of hosting Enfield Town, but manager Chris Agutter claimed his side are the strongest in the division and can get over the line.
“I believe we are the best team in the league,” Agutter said. “Our record against the top eight teams is better than anyone’s. Our issues have come in the less glamorous games, dropping points against teams that perhaps we shouldn’t have done. In those head-to-head games, it’s been very good.”
Boreham Wood head to mid-table Tonbridge Angels. To go up, Boreham Wood require Worthing and Eastbourne Borough to fail to win and both Torquay and Truro to lose, so their job will simply to put pressure on those clubs above them. Given how this season has unfolded, you could not rule out any scenario out.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Continue reading...
