Play-off spots for the taking

As many as 14 teams are still in with a shout of the National League South play-offs.

That’s the verdict of Maidstone head of football John Still. Leaders Wealdstone show no signs of slowing down after thrashing Bath 7-0 last week but below them a number of sides are jostling for position. “Everyone that’s in that top 14 or so can look at those play-off places,” said Still.

“Football has a nasty way of kicking you up the backside if you think you’ve nailed down a play-off place.

“You can lose three or four on the spin.”

With so many sides in the current play-off places still to play each other, Still knows that the picture will change between now and April.

“You can have a tough run of games and do well in say five matches against teams in and around you” he added.

“You might get two wins and three draws and say that’s not bad. Picking up 8-10 points is good but if someone else wins four out of five then they’ve overtaken you.”

Maidstone will hope to return to National League South action on Saturday at Billericay but their hosts have had a number of postponements due to the weather – including a county cup tie on Tuesday. With rain in the forecast, Still is not hopeful but he says it’s not a bad thing if the games don’t get played when the pitches are at their worst.

“Do we want to play Tonbridge and Billericay on heavy pitches or when they are a bit better?” said Still. “I’d say when the conditions are better would suit us.

“I hope we play on Saturday but if we don’t, I don’t know if that hinders us or not. You can say it does and then you go and win the games so I don’t put too much on it.”