RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH) - THE RACE FOR THE TITLE & PLAY-OFFS

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (SOUTH) - CURRENT TABLE (TOP NINE ONLY) 

                         P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  PTS 
1. BOGNOR REGIS TOWN     28 19 7  2  70  22 +48  64
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2. WHITEHAWK             28 19 4  5  53  21 +32  58*    *3 pts deducted 
3. DULWICH HAMLET        26 17 5  4  50  17 +33  56
4. MAIDSTONE UNITED      29 17 4  8  50  30 +20  55
5. FOLKESTONE INVICTA    28 16 6  6  57  37 +20  54
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6. WORTHING              28 15 8  5  55  28 +27  53 
7. CHIPSTEAD             27 13 7  7  45  30 +15  46
8. HYTHE TOWN            28 13 5  10 47  48 - 1  44
9. GODALMING TOWN        25 12 6  7  38  35 + 3  42 

In the Ryman Division One (South) it's looking good for Bognor Regis Town to banish the memories of losing the league title by one goal on the last day of the season. They are six points ahead of Whitehawk who have had three points deducted. Bognor have recently sold their star player Jason Prior to League Two AFC Wimbledon so will have to do without the striker's goals in the title run in.

The Rocks nearest challengers look to be Dulwich Hamlet (who beat them in the play-off Semi-Final last season) who, if they win their two games in hand, will be within just two points off the South Coast club.

Bognor have already played Dulwich Hamlet and Whitehawk twice in the league with their final four league games scheduled to be away at Worthing, home versus Whyteleafe and Walton & Hersham and away at Maidstone United.

Realistically, in the race for the play-offs, it looks as if it's the team's placed from ninth place upwards who can finish in the top 5. Tenth placed Ramsgate are currently fifteen points adrift of fifth place which could go down to twelve points if they win their game in hand but it's alot to make up over the remaining 15 games. It could be done but I would say The Rams would need to lose a maximum of 2 of those 15 games which is a tough ask for a side who have lost 10 in their 27 games so far. The cold end also thinks Hythe Town have already lost too many games (10 in 28) to finish in the top five.

If Godalming Town win their three games in hand over fifth placed Folkestone Invicta they would go just three points below the play-off zone.  They will need to start scoring a few more goals as they are the lowest scorers in the current top nine by 9 goals to Hythe Town. The below list shows there are some really good matches coming up over the next few weeks.

FORTHCOMING KEY FIXTURES

Saturday 18th February
DULWICH HAMLET v MAIDSTONE UNITED
3rd v 4th clash that's bound to attract a good crowd at Champion Hill. A must win game for Hamlet to keep in touch with Bognor Regis who play mid-table Walton Casuals at home.

Tuesday 21st February
GODALMING TOWN V DULWICH HAMLET
Another must win game for Hamlet which is equally important for the home side to win to push up towards the play-offs.

Saturday 25th February
GODALMING TOWN V BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
Neil Baker and Jon Underwood's side face a second title challenger at home within five days.

Saturday 3rd March
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN V FOLKESTONE INVICTA
DULWICH HAMLET V WORTHING
Two important matches - Title challengers v play-off contenders

HYTHE TOWN V WHITEHAWK
Another match featuring two of the potential final top five