It’s the final day of the regular season in the National League and even though the title and two of the relegation places have been settled, there is still the last position in the playoffs, some seedings in the playoffs and two remaining spots in the relegation zone to be decided on Monday.
Playoffs
Whilst York City and Forest Green Rovers have secured their spots in the semi-final by finishing second and third respectively, as well as Rochdale securing a home eliminator in fourth place, Halifax Town and Oldham Athletic are level on points, with Oldham ahead on goal difference, so for the Latics to grab that home advantage in the eliminator they need to match the result of Halifax as they face already relegated Ebbsfleet whilst the Shaymen visit relegation threatened Wealdstone.
The Battle for the last Playoff spot has gone down to the wire and it ends with Gateshead and Southend facing off with each other in Gateshead with the winner moving to the playoffs. However, if it does end with a draw, it will be the Shrimpers who move on.
Relegation
Whilst both Ebbsfleet United and Fylde have been relegated back down to the National League North and South respectively, two more spots need to be decided and can be filled by any of four teams.
Braintree Town are the most unlikely to go down, they can be but it would require the Iron to lose to Rochdale, Dagenham and Redbridge and Wealdstone to win and for there to be a 12 goal swing between Braintree and Wealdstone.
For Dagenham and Redbridge, it is in their own hands, if they win away to Solihull Moors, they are safe however they are safe whatever the result is if Wealdstone or Maidenhead fail to win.
It is simple for Wealdstone if they want any chance of survival at home to Halifax, they must win but even if they do, they will still drop into the National League South if Dagenham and Redbridge win.
For Maidenhead, they need to win at home to in-form Boston United, and hope that Dagenham and Redbridge lose and Wealdstone do not win.
With so much on the line, it’s going to be a day of ups and downs throughout, strap yourselves in!
