The Conference season reaches its penultimate Saturday this weekend following eight matches on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two further fixtures take place on Thursday evening as Barrow host Crawley and Kidderminster go to Hayes. The weekend could see the champions of the 2009-10 season crowned while another relegation spot could also be confirmed.
Stevenage came away from Altrincham with a 1-0 win on Wednesday night after Charlie Griffin's goal, and Graham Westley's side need just three points from three games to secure promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. Even in failing to win, the title could be tied up if Luton fail to beat Altrincham at the same time.
Luton did their bit to keep up the pressure on Stevenage by trouncing Histon 6-3 on Tuesday night in the division's highest scoring game all season, beating 8-0 wins for The Hatters themselves and Rushden. The Stutes slip to only three points above the relegation zone ahead of a critical clash with Forest Green on Saturday. Rovers are currently holding the third relegation spot at the moment but gave themselves real hope of staying up after Conal Platt secured a 1-0 win against Crawley.
Salisbury secured their survival for another season by earning a 3-1 home win against Hayes and Yeading, and Tommy Widdrington's side would now be ninth if it wasn't for their ten point deduction. Barrow are three points above the drop going into tonight's action despite going down 3-0 at York, while bottom club Grays won away for the first time in twenty-one attempts by stunning Wimbledon 2-0.
This leaves Ebbsfleet only four points from safety going into the last two matches. Liam Daish's side face a massive struggle to avoid the drop to the regional leagues, but the final relegation spot is less clear cut. Gateshead lead Forest Green on goal difference but have a game in hand, with Eastbourne only a point further clear and Histon and Barrow two points further ahead. While it isn't mathematically certain, it looks likely that the battle will go down to the final day of the season.
The final two matches of Tuesday saw Oxford and Cambridge United play out a goalless draw, while Rushden slipped behind York into fifth after a last gasp penalty earned Mansfield a 3-2 win. After missing three penalties in the closing stages of their past two outings, Rob Duffy broke the trend with the decisive goal at Field Mill.
Saturday could be a historic day for Stevenage Borough as they travel to Kidderminster in the hope of winning promotion to League Two at Aggborough, while the battle for survival at the other end of the table reaches a pivotal period.
Matt Ramsay
Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!
You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.
MR150410 web@cambridge-united.co.uk
