FOUR-CLUB PLAY-OFFS FOR STEP 5 & 6 SIDES
CLUBS at Steps 5 and 6 are gearing up for the start of a new era in the National League System with divisional four-team play-offs kicking off this week.
The move was brought in by the FA for all Step 5 leagues to replace the Inter-Step 4-5 play-offs, which came into play for one season only at the end of 2022-23.
It means two clubs will be promoted into Step 4 this season from the 16 Step 5 divisions – one as champion and a second through the traditional play-off system.
Two clubs will also be relegated from each of the eight Step 4 divisions in order to increase league sizes to 22 clubs. There will be one relegation spot from each Step 5 division.
The play-offs will see the second placed team host fifth and the third placed team take on fourth with the final taking place at the home of the club who finished highest.
The Hellenic League were the first to kickoff the new play-off system with Cinderford Town and Royal Wootton Bassett Town winning through to Tuesday night’s final after midweek away wins, while Malmesbury Victoria and Sporting Club Inkberrow will contest the Division One Final on Friday night.
Unfortunately, the bad weather has played havoc with schedules with a number of leagues forced into a rethink in order to complete the regulation season.
The schedules, as is stands, are as follows: Combined Counties League – Premier North & South and Division One Semi-finals – Tuesday April 30, Finals scheduled for Monday May 6 but yet to be confirmed
Eastern Counties League – Premier and Division One Semi-finals – Saturday April 27. Premier and Division One Finals – Saturday May 4
Essex Senior League – Premier Division Semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday May 1, Final scheduled for Saturday May 4
Hellenic League – Premier Division Semi-finals – Corsham Town 0 Cinderford Town 1, Highworth Town 0 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 1. Final – Tuesday April 30. Division One Semi-finals – Malmesbury Victoria 2 Devizes Town 0, Clanfield 85 0 Sporting Club Inkberrow 3. Final – Friday April 26. Division Two Final – Saturday April 27
Midland Football League – Premier Division Semi-finals – Saturday April 27, Final – Saturday May 4. Division One Semi-finals and final to be confirmed
North West Counties League – Premier Division Semi-finals: Bury v Padiham, Wythenshawe Town v Kendal Town – Saturday April 27, Final – Saturday May 4. Division One North Semi-final – Ashton Town v Euxton Villa, Atherton LR v South Liverpool. Division One South Semi-final - Sandbach United v Abbey Hey, Stockport Town v Drolysden, Final – Saturday May 4.
Northern Counties East League – Premier Division Semi-finals – Campion v Albion Sports, Garforth Town v Rossington Main – Saturday April 27, Final – Saturday May 4. Division One Semi-finals – Saturday May 4, Final – Saturday May 11
Northern League – Division One Semi-finals – Monday April 29 and Tuesday April 30, Final – Saturday May 4. Division Two Semi-finals – Wednesday May 1 and Thursday May 2, Final – Monday May 6.
Southern Combination – Premier and Division One Semi-finals – Tuesday April 30, Premier Division Final – Sunday May 5, Division One Final – Saturday May 4.
Southern Counties East League – Premier and Division One Semi-finals w/c Monday April 29, Division One Final – Saturday May 4, Premier Division Final – Monday May 6
Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Semi-finals – Wednesday May 1, Final – Monday May 6. Division One Semi-finals – Tuesday April 30, Final – Saturday May 4
South West Peninsula League – No play-offs, Premier East and Premier West champions promoted
United Counties League – Premier North and South Semi-finals – Saturday April 20. Division One Semi-finals – Saturday April 27. Final – Saturday May 4
Wessex League – Premier Division Semi-finals – Tuesday April 23 and Wednesday April 24, Final – Saturday April 27. Division One Semi-finals – Tuesday April 30 and Wednesday May 1, Final – Saturday May 4
Western League – No information received