Ups and Downs - The Contenders as we enter the business end of the season
Sun 27th February 2022 | General | By Kevin Lawton
Promotion and Relegation, Mathematically Speaking - League Statistician, Kevin Lawton has taken a look at all three Divisions and has analysed where clubs can finish - and also where they cannot. After a busy weekend, the first confirmed finish for a club has been confirmed and as we head into March, the last full month of the season the divisions are still so competitive, for many its all to play for at one end of the table or the other. For some insight into this, Kevin has looked at the potential movers and shakers, who has title glory in sight, who can only hope for the play-offs? Who's safe and who has work to do?
Premier Division
The title race now has only four teams in it, Macclesfield, Skelmersdale, Wythenshawe Town and Charnock Richard, though alongside these, Avro could still finish second. The bottom spot and automatic relegation has eight teams fighting to avoid it; Winsford, Padiham, Prestwich, Squires Gate, Barnoldswick, Ashton Athletic, Runcorn Town and Litherland REMYCA, though the first three on the list need just a single point to guarantee safety. You can add Lower Breck and AFC Liverpool to list when looking at teams who can still finish second from the bottom.
Division One North
Just three teams can still win the title; Bury, Holker and Golcar. Bury have already secured a home play-off spot if they do miss out on the title. Other teams who can still make the play-offs are AFC Blackpool, Pilkington, Bacup, Garstang, Nelson, Chadderton. South Liverpool, Campion, Cleator Moor, Daisy Hill and Steeton.
At the bottom of the table, St Helens and AFC Darwen are the only two who can fill the automatic relegation space, the latter needing 3 points to keep clear and condemn St Helens to a last place finish. As regards finishing in the bottom 3 and potentially being subject to relegation, only the top five have currently avoided this scenario (49 points makes you safe at the moment), the other fourteen teams could still be down there.
Division One South
The title race still has six teams in contention, West Didsbury and Chorlton, FC Isle of Man, Wythenshawe Amateurs, Abbey Hey, New Mills and Cheadle Town. In addition to these teams, Stockport, Maine Road, Sandbach and Cheadle Heath Nomads can still make the play-offs.
At the foot of the table, St Martins will finish in last place, but like the North section, there are lots of teams who could still finish in the bottom three – 50 points makes a team safe and just the top six have reached that level.
Relegation from the First divisions will depend primarily on teams applying successfully for promotion from Step 7 leagues.
Ups and Downs - The Contenders as we enter the business end of the season
Sun 27th February 2022 | General
By Kevin Lawton
Promotion and Relegation, Mathematically Speaking - League Statistician, Kevin Lawton has taken a look at all three Divisions and has analysed where clubs can finish - and also where they cannot. After a busy weekend, the first confirmed finish for a club has been confirmed and as we head into March, the last full month of the season the divisions are still so competitive, for many its all to play for at one end of the table or the other. For some insight into this, Kevin has looked at the potential movers and shakers, who has title glory in sight, who can only hope for the play-offs? Who's safe and who has work to do?
Premier Division
The title race now has only four teams in it, Macclesfield, Skelmersdale, Wythenshawe Town and Charnock Richard, though alongside these, Avro could still finish second. The bottom spot and automatic relegation has eight teams fighting to avoid it; Winsford, Padiham, Prestwich, Squires Gate, Barnoldswick, Ashton Athletic, Runcorn Town and Litherland REMYCA, though the first three on the list need just a single point to guarantee safety. You can add Lower Breck and AFC Liverpool to list when looking at teams who can still finish second from the bottom.
Division One North
Just three teams can still win the title; Bury, Holker and Golcar. Bury have already secured a home play-off spot if they do miss out on the title. Other teams who can still make the play-offs are AFC Blackpool, Pilkington, Bacup, Garstang, Nelson, Chadderton. South Liverpool, Campion, Cleator Moor, Daisy Hill and Steeton.
At the bottom of the table, St Helens and AFC Darwen are the only two who can fill the automatic relegation space, the latter needing 3 points to keep clear and condemn St Helens to a last place finish. As regards finishing in the bottom 3 and potentially being subject to relegation, only the top five have currently avoided this scenario (49 points makes you safe at the moment), the other fourteen teams could still be down there.
Division One South
The title race still has six teams in contention, West Didsbury and Chorlton, FC Isle of Man, Wythenshawe Amateurs, Abbey Hey, New Mills and Cheadle Town. In addition to these teams, Stockport, Maine Road, Sandbach and Cheadle Heath Nomads can still make the play-offs.
At the foot of the table, St Martins will finish in last place, but like the North section, there are lots of teams who could still finish in the bottom three – 50 points makes a team safe and just the top six have reached that level.
Relegation from the First divisions will depend primarily on teams applying successfully for promotion from Step 7 leagues.
