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.