With just four rounds of matches to go, the race for promotion from the National League is set to take a hit this Easter weekend, with the current top ten all in contention and numerous six-pointers this Easter weekend.
The bank holiday-weekend sees two rounds of matches, including a number of head-to-heads between teams currently in or around the top seven which will be crucial with every game a cup final in the closing weeks.
Here we look at the current state of play in the race for play-offs, as well as the key clashes taking place over the Easter weekend, lets take a look at the sides whose fates may be decided this weekend.
How does it currently stand?
Barnet currently sit nine points clear of second place, knowing that four points will see the club return to the football league after a seven-year absence.Â
Second-placed York City are the only team that can catch the Bees, the Minstermen are currently assured at least a play-off place while Forest Green are the only side assured to be competing in the National League play-offs next month – the pair all but assured a home-leg in the semi-finals.
The run-away top three leave the eliminator spots in heavy contention, nine points behind FGR are Oldham Athletic and Gateshead, tied on 66 points, while Rochdale and FC Halifax Town make up the remaining spots with 64 points.
Four points behind are a trio of Altrincham, Southend United, and newly-promoted Tamworth, however, this gap could be closed over the coming weekend.
The fifth tier play-offs are set to take place next month, with the dates confirmed via the National League’s official website:
Eliminator A (5th v 6th) – Wednesday 14 May
Eliminator B – (4th v 7th) – Thursday 15 May
Semi-Final (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) – Tuesday 20 May
Semi-Final (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) – Wednesday 21 May
Promotion Final – Sunday 1 June (Wembley Stadium)
Good Friday
Good Friday begins with a crucial early kick-off in the North East, as Gateshead welcome title-hopefuls York City in a fixture which bares consequences in both the title and playoff races.
Victory for Gateshead would further establish Gateshead’s lead on the chasing pack, whereas any points dropped for York would open the door for Barnet to lift the title on Monday.
Later on, two play-off chasers go head-to-head in Greater Manchester as Altrincham host Rochdale, while Halifax face a banana skin on the road as they travel to an AFC Fylde side who know they could be relegated if results go against them on Friday.
Later on, a six-pointer in Greater Manchester sees a local clash between Altrincham and Rochdale, presenting the opportunity for Phil Parkinson’s team to put pressure on sides currently ahead of them as eighth takes on sixth.
Between the two, seventh-placed Halifax Town look to avoid a potential banana skin when they travel to AFC Fylde, in a fixture that could confirm the home side’s relegation.
An ex-football league tie will see Oldham Athletic host Hartlepool United while Forest Green travel to Yeovil knowing that victory will put Steve Cotterill’s side only one match away from Wembley, confirming their semi-final spot.
Elsewhere, an all-Essex tie sees Southend host Braintree Town, where the visitor’s season is not over yet with local pride and safety in the National League on the line, with a similar situation presenting itself as Tamworth host 17th-placed Solihull Moors.
Easter Monday could prove pivotal.
Just three days later, all teams will be back in action – with all fixtures kicking off in the afternoon.
A crunch tie between Halifax and Altrincham could completely change the picture, with sides below knowing this fixture could present an opportunity to overtake one of the two.
Further up the table, York will face another promotion hopeful as they host Oldham Athletic, in another fixture that could bare prospects for both sides.
Further south, Forest Green will be welcoming Tamworth, the visitors will look to keep their hopes alive while Friday will determine whether the hosts still have anything to play for in this fixture.
While exact permutations will only be known after Friday’s matches, after Easter Monday there will only be two rounds of matches left of the regular season, the thick and fast nature of the Easter weekend could prove pivotal in the final table.
Just how big is the Easter Weekend?
Despite being winless in their last two, it still seems like a case of ‘when’ Barnet lifts the title, will the North London club firmly in the driving seat.
With this in mind, it paints the prospects of York City and Forest Green Rovers hosting the National League semi-finals, it would be a surprise if Rovers were not to secure this position over the weekend.
Behind the top three sees the four eliminator spots in heavy contention, with Gateshead and Oldham holding the advantage, fixtures against title-challenging York City could quickly drop the clubs back into a fight for their playoff spot.
The fixture between Altrincham and Halifax, while crucial for the sides involved could also open the door for the faint hopes of Southend United and Tamworth securing a place in the top-seven.
With potential relegation on the line for AFC Fylde this weekend, their chances at staying in the division could pose a potential banana skin for Rochdale and Halifax Town, meaning the Coasters are one to watch.
With the business end of the season approaching and a late Easter weekend bound to stretch squads in close fixtures, anything could happen in a narrow crunch for the final four National League play-off places.
