Saturday 30th March 2024

It's been another week that has seen further twists and turns in the Hellenic League Premier Division playoff race.

While Royal Wootton Bassett Town were the beneficiaries of rivals in the playoff hunt dropping points last week, the past seven days have seen those sides close the gap on Bassett.

Although Sam Collier's side were brilliant in their 2-1 defeat against leaders Worcester City, the result left room for the likes of Highworth Town and Cinderford Town to all regain lost ground. And that they did.

Highworth defeated Westfields in dramatic fashion, coming from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1 courtesy of a pair of stoppage time goals. They now sit six points behind Bassett with three games in hand.

Then today saw Cinderford Town hold current second place occupiers Corsham Town to a 0-0 draw - an outcome that means they are seven points behind Bassett with three games in hand to play.

And the Foresters are due to host Bassett next Saturday for a game that could go a long way to determining who finishes the higher of the two sides. Cinderford do have a busy week before that meeting though, with a cup fixture and home league date against Mangotsfield United.

The gap between the teams come next Saturday night could therefore end up being anywhere from just a single point to ten.

Slimbridge, whose game with Bassett was postponed, are the other team still in the hunt. They sit six points behind Bassett with one game in hand. They could still finish above Bassett - though will need a Cinderford win against Bassett next Saturday, at least six points from their own three remaining games and then to avoid defeat when Sam Collier's side visit on 13 April.

Fairford Town are now all but guaranteed not to make the playoffs after losing their final fixture 2-0 against Thornbury Town.

After a 3-0 defeat against Hereford Pegasus, Roman Glass St George seem out of the running too; their loss means Bassett will now definitely finish in the top six.

There is still work for Bassett to do to confirm a playoff place. Put the path will be clearer soon enough. In addition to Cinderford's game against Mangotsfield, Highworth are in action against Pershore Town on Tuesday before hosting Corsham on Thursday, while Slimbridge will welcome Brimscombe and Thrupp on Wednesday.

Last modified on Saturday 30th March 2024 at 20:38.