Dulwich prepare for playoffs as Whitehawk take title prize

A dramatic final day in the Ryman Division One South ended with title favourites Whitehawk claiming the championship leaving Dulwich Hamlet and Bognor Regis in the playoffs.

Whitehawk, league leaders going into the final weekend, swept aside Chipstead to secure automatic promotion to the Ryman Premier for the first time in the club’s 67 year history.

Second-placed Dulwich travelled to Burgess Hill Town needing the Hawks to slip up in order to avoid a second consecutive playoff campaign.

However, the Hamlet failed to live up to their end of the deal as they were left to rue missed chances and subsequently slipped to 1-0 defeat, a victory that would guarantee survival for the Hillians.

Title outsider’s Bognor Regis staged a terrific second half comeback to see off Maidstone United and claim second spot.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, the Rocks fought back to win 4-2 and sneak into second ahead of Dulwich.

The playoffs begin this week with Dulwich hosting fourth placed Folkestone and Bognor taking on fifth placed Godalming Town at Nyewood Lane.

Veteran goalkeeper to end 32-year playing career

The Football League’s oldest player is set to retire at the end of the season following a career spanning four decades.

Kevin Poole, aged 48, has made 123 appearances for current Npower League Two club Burton Albion and has also represented nine other clubs including most notably Leicester City, Derby County and Birmingham.

But Poole, who made his competitive debut for boyhood club Aston Villa in 1984, has decided to hang up his Gloves having recently become assistant to current Brewers caretaker boss Gary Rowett.

“I've had a great career and 32 years is enough,” Poole told BBC Radio Derby.

“It's taken me a while to decide. But the last couple of months it's taken me a long time to recover from games I have played in and I think it's the right decision.”

The Goalkeeper has made over 400 Football League appearances and was previously coached by England's 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks.

Poole’s last first team appearance for Burton came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match against Rotherham and the Bromsgrove-born Keeper hopes to play in one final game before the end of the season.

He continued: “I will be on the bench and if things are going quite well I might get on for five minutes. But I don't know, it depends.”

Poole’s affiliation with the Brewers is likely to continue in the future whatever transpires at the end of the campaign.

He concluded: “Hopefully, things will work out and I would love to stay on as goalkeeping coach.”

Dulwich battle back to remain in title contention

The Ryman Division One South title race will go to the final day with three teams in with a chance of claiming a place in the Ryman Premier for next season.

Last year’s beaten playoff finalists, Dulwich Hamlet maintained their title challenge with a 3-1 victory over Faversham Town at Champion Hill.

The Hamlet fell behind just six minutes in, but three second half goals including a brace from Kevin James, means Dulwich go into their final day meeting with relegation threatened Burgess Hill Town just a point off the lead.

Current leaders Whitehawk stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches winning 3-0 at Corinthian Casuals.

Captain Paul Armstrong gave the Hawks the lead just before half time, James Fraser doubled the advantage on the hour mark and substitute Karley Akehurst grabbed a third late on to cement the East Sussex based club’s position at the top of the table.

The title favourites are at home to Chipstead on the final day looking for promotion to the Ryman Premier for the first time in their 67 year history.

Outsider’s Bognor Regis Town dropped two valuable points at home to Walton & Hersham.

The Rocks took a first half lead thanks to Terrance Dodd’s calm finish from inside the penalty box, but the visitors hit back in the second half and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Jason Henry.

Bognor trial Whitehawk by two points going into the final day and must beat playoff chasers Maidstone United and hope the Hawks and Dulwich slip up in order to return to the Ryman Premier after a two year absence.

Allen return fails to inspire Bees

Martin Allen’s dramatic mid-week return to Npower League Two relegation candidates Barnet did not have an immediate impact as the Bees extended their winless run to nine matches with defeat at promotion chasing Southend United on Friday night.

Bilel Mohsni’s first half hat-trick leaves the North Londoners perilously above the relegation zone with Macclesfield Town and Hereford United just three points below Allen’s side going into Saturday’s matches.

A win for the Bulls at home to Northampton and a victory for Brian Horton’s Macclesfield at Bradford, will see Barnet plummet to the bottom of the table for the first time this season with just two fixtures remaining.

One crumb of comfort for Barnet supporters is that during Allen’s previous brief spell in charge at the end of last season, the Bees failed to win their opening match under his guidance before winning the next two, to galvanize their great escape from relegation.

Barnet return to Underhill for next weekend’s crucial encounter with AFC Wimbledon prior to a final day meeting with Burton Albion, in which Allen will be hoping to preserve Barnet’s Football League status for an seventh consecutive year.

Hessenthaler keen to spoil Swindon’s promotion party

League Two playoff chasers Gillingham can halt Swindon Town’s march towards the title and enhance their own promotion chances with victory over the Robins on Saturday.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping to welcome back several first team members for the visit of Paolo Di Canio’s side, but believes the Gills will have to beat the title favourites to keep their playoff prospects alive.  

Speaking to the club’s website Hessenthaler said: “You have Crewe and Oxford who are in the mix so we have to spoil Swindon’s party on Saturday.”

Earlier in the campaign, Hessenthaler blasted Di Canio’s managerial style following the controversial transfer of former Gillingham winger Luke Rooney to the County Ground.

However, the Priestfield boss is confident that his side can use that to their advantage and delay the Robins' promotion by a further week.

He continued: “There is still a massive rivalry between the two teams and we still have something to play for so it should be an interesting game.”

Barnet’s loyalty questioned as Sanchez departs

Unsavoury is one word to describe the departure of Manager Lawrie Sanchez from League Two relegation candidates Barnet.

The Northern Irishmen accused the North London club of showing a “lack of loyalty and of “losing their nerve” as the Bees continue to slide towards the bottom of the table.

Sanchez, who took over in May last year from the re-appointed Martin Allen, had guided the club to safety as the Londoners won two of their remaining four games to survive. But one win in 16 league games has left the club just three points above the drop zone with three matches left.

Sanchez released the following statement: “Following the termination of my contract by Barnet FC, I'd like to express my extreme disappointment at the lack of loyalty shown in me by the club.”

Former Notts County boss Allen has been placed in charge for the final few matches of the season despite his departure in April last year, in which he served just three games at the helm before joining the League One club.

Sanchez continued: “It is the same lack of loyalty the club accused Martin Allen of showing when he walked out on Barnet towards the end of last season. When I took over from Martin, the club were three points adrift of safety with just four games of the season left and under serious threat of relegation to the Conference.”

In spite of the Bees’ perilous league position, Sanchez remained positive and believed that recent performances would suggest that Barnet had enough to retain their Football League status.

He added: “I certainly felt that recent performances would see the club remain clear of the threat of relegation. Unfortunately, that confidence seems not to have been mirrored in the boardroom and I am disappointed the club have lost their nerve at such a vital stage of the season.”

Allen’s first match back in charge is away to promotion chasing Southend United, before two crucial clashes against mid-table opposition. The first is a home meeting with Wimbledon prior to a last day meeting with Burton Albion.

Dulwich Hamlet’s title chances dealt major blow

Dulwich Hamlet lost vital ground in their Ryman Division One South title pursuit on Saturday after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to fellow promotion contenders Whitehawk.

The Champion Hill based club slipped to third following their first league defeat in 12 games and trail title favourites Bognor Regis Town and in form Whitehawk by one point with two matches remaining.

Dulwich are at home to mid-table Faversham Town on Saturday before travelling to Burgess Hill for their final match of the season.

Bognor Regis are also at home next Saturday against Walton & Hersham but face a tough final day fixture at playoff contenders Maidstone United.

Whitehawk, who have won 10 of their last 13 league matches to state their title bid, travel to Corinthian Casuals and face Chipstead on what is shaping up to be a thrilling final day.

The title race remains wide open with just one point separating the top three sides.

Dulwich will be hoping that two more victories will be enough for them to reclaim their Ryman Premier Division status after an 11 year absence.

Blue Square South relegation battle heading for dramatic conclusion

Perhaps one of the most exciting and frenetic relegation battles in Non-League Football history gets set for another dramatic weekend.

Up to seven team’s can still find themselves in one of the two remaining Blue Square Bet South relegation places come the end of the season, with Salisbury in 15^th just six points clear of Hampton & Richmond who currently occupy the final relegation spot.

Thurrock’s relegation had been confirmed two weeks ago following a run of four defeats in five league matches, but the other two relegation places are still far from being decided.

Maidenhead United, whose last victory came against leaders Woking at the start of March, slipped into the bottom three over the Easter weekend and face the Cards again on Saturday in a crucial encounter at York Road.

Hampton & Richmond boast the best record of all the struggling side’s over the last 10 league matches and the Beavers will be looking for a fourth win in six when they travel to Eastbourne Borough.

Bromley sit just one place and one point above the drop zone. The Lilywhites travel to Truro City on Saturday and will be keen to get back to winning ways after Easter Monday’s home defeat to promotion chasing Dartford.

18^th placed Staines Town take their four match unbeaten run to Dorchester. The Swans beat Boreham Wood on Monday to move out of the relegation zone and one more victory could well be enough to ensure their survival.

Havant & Waterlooville enjoyed a successful Easter Weekend picking up six points out of six to climb to 17^th. The Hawks welcome playoff contenders Dover Athletic to West Leigh Park over the weekend in another critical test of their survival credentials.

Eastbourne Borough looked to have saved themselves with three successive victories in March, but four straight defeats since, have left the Sussex based club just three points clear with three games remaining.

Salisbury are the clear favourites to avoid a second consecutive relegation, but Darrell Clarke’s side face arguably the toughest run in. Three of the Whites’ last four matches are away from home starting with a testing trip to Chelmsford City on Saturday.

Wings cement playoff place

The Blue Square South title may be beyond Jamie Day’s Welling United but a sixth victory in 10 league matches has secured them a playoff spot.

The Wings comprehensively swept aside relegation threatened Eastbourne Borough on Easter Saturday to extend their season beyond April and player manager Day was left delighted with Welling’s professionalism.

Speaking to the clubs website Day said: “I’m really pleased it was a good, professional performance and we got what we deserved.”

Along with the victory, the Wings also maintained their recent run of clean sheets. The last time Welling conceded a goal was against leaders Woking in mid-March, four matches ago, and Day has been impressed with his side’s defensive displays.

He continued: “At the moment all the boys that have played at the back and the Goalkeeper’s have done exceptionally well, but we want to keep going and keep more clean sheets.”

Playoff contenders Welling face another side struggling to avoid the drop on Easter Monday when Thurrock travel to Park View Road.

The Wings boast the best home record in the division and Day is looking to continue the unbeaten sequence which stretches back to the end of the last campaign.

He added: “It’s going to be another difficult game, their fighting to try and stay up. We need to be as professional on Monday and see if we can keep this unbeaten home record going.”

The Welling boss is also confident that in keeping his side fresh from now until the end of the season, will only enhance his side’s chances of claiming a place in the Blue Square Premier next term.

He concluded: “The one’s that haven’t played today will play on Monday, we need to keep everyone fresh and we need to give others the chance to play, so we will make changes for the Thurrock match.”

Oli on the spot to rescue Gills vital late point

Gillingham striker Denis Oli grabbed just his second league goal of the season to earn his side a valuable draw in an entertaining Npower League Two match with Bristol Rovers on Good Friday.

The Gills took the lead 10 minutes into the second half with Chris Whelpdale firing in his tenth goal of the season after latching onto Danny Jackman’s back-heel.

However, the Kent club’s lead lasted just five minutes, Elliot Richardson’s powerful header averted the despairing dive of Paulo Gazzaniga in the Gills goal to level matters with half an hour remaining.

Against the run of play Bristol Rovers then completed the turnaround, Mustapha Carayol found himself clean through on goal and the winger confidently rolled the hosts in front to the delight of 6,000 vocal home supporters.

With Gillingham heading for an eleventh away defeat of the campaign Oli, who was set to be loaned out by manager Andy Hessenthaler two months previously,  pounced to head in a vital late equaliser which keeps the Kent club’s playoff hopes alive.

Post-match, Hessenthaler praised Oli’s impact and hopes that the recent injury problems, that have kept him out for the majority of the campaign, are now behind him.

“He’s just got on with his work.” Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent.   

“He has been no trouble since I arrived, he has had his own problems with injuries but he is part of us and fair play to him.”

The former Grays Athletic striker’s only previous goal this campaign came in the 3-1 victory over Barnet at the start of March, but his overall attitude and work ethic have delighted Hessenthaler.

He continued: “He is a top lad and a great lad to work with. His attitude has been spot on since I walked into the Football club.”

Bees face crucial Easter weekend

At the start of the New Year many Barnet fans were eagerly anticipating a top half finish for the first time since the club were promoted back into the Football League in 2005.

However, just one league win in the Bees’ last 13 League Two matches has left Lawrie Sanchez’s side on the verge of another relegation scrap with games rapidly running out.

Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to title favourites Swindon Town was the start of a testing Easter week in which the Bees face three sides all vying for an automatic promotion spot.  

Barnet travel to playoff contenders Cheltenham Town on Good Friday, before entertaining Crawley on the Bank Holiday Monday and both games could prove pivotal with the Bees just three points above the bottom two.

Speaking to the clubs website, Sanchez set his side a points target in which he believes would see the Bees safe for an eighth successive Football League campaign.

Sanchez said: “I think that we need some nine points from our remaining games. We have a tough run-in though with Cheltenham, Crawley and Southend all looking to win promotion, either automatically or via the play-offs.”

In many ways Barnet’s rescue act of last season, in which victory over Port Vale on the last day ensured safety from relegation, could stand them in good stead heading into the conclusion of this campaign.

The Bees won three of their remaining six league fixtures last term, but a similar run this season would be greeted with a great sense of relief from Barnet supporters, rather than the uproar of last year’s great escape.

Woking closing in on Blue Square Premier return

A seventh win in 10 games has all but secured Woking’s return to the fifth tier of English Football.

The Cards swept past relegation threatened Thurrock on Saturday, with Giuseppe Sole grabbing two of Woking’s five goals in a comfortable victory.

With five games remaining, the Blue Square bet South leaders have an eight point advantage over second placed Dartford, albeit with a game in hand.

The Darts overcame struggling Maidenhead at Princes Park, despite being reduced to 10 men, thanks to two second half goals from Liam Noble and Jacob Erskine.

But to gain automatic promotion, Tony Burman’s side rely on other teams to take points off the runaway leaders.

Welling United remain in the promotion hunt but must surely now contend with a place in the playoffs as two successive 0-0 draws, the latest against under achieving Salisbury City at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, have all but ruled out their title chances.

Dean Cracknell missed a late penalty for the Wings, who require one more victory to be guaranteed a playoff spot.

Reigning Ryman Premier Division Champions, Sutton United enhanced their playoff chances despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The U’s were also reduced to 10 men late on when defender Simon Downer received a straight red card for a nasty looking challenge on substitute Clayton Murray.

Chelmsford City make up the top five and stretched their advantage of Dover Athletic, who lost for the third home match running, losing 2-0 to Boreham Wood.

The Clarets had to settle for a point against Tonbridge Angels but now have a four point gap over Nicky Forster’s side.