With Hereford FC having already secured the EVO-STIK League Southern League Division One South & West championship, the attention ahead of the busy Easter period is now on who goes up with them via the play-offs, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Second-placed Taunton Town ensured they will be in the top five at the end of the season after sharing a 1-1 draw in the first-ever all-ticket game at the Viridor Stadium against the champions.A crowd of 1,073 saw Mike Symons give the Bulls a great start with a goal inside the opening two minutes. But Ed Palmer levelled on the half-hour mark and the spoils were shared in the end.
Salisbury FC are also assured of a play-off spot after scoring seven against an already relegated side for the second time in a couple of weeks. Steve Claridge`s men followed up their hammering of bottom-markers Bridgwater Town at the end of March with a similar outcome against second-bottom Wantage Town. Tommy Wright enjoyed himself with four of the goals in front of a crowd of 652 at the Ray Mac, with Claudio Herbert, Eddie Perrett and Taurean Roberts adding the others.
Tiverton Town can also prepare for an extra game or two after their 2-2 draw at sixth-placed Swindon Supermarine meant that the hosts couldn`t catch them.
Tivvy led 2-0 with goals from Levi Landricombe and Owen Howe inside the opening 10 minutes. Joe Shepherd reduced the deficit on the half-hour mark and then Ryan Morgan equalised with 10 minutes remaining.
Evesham United hold the final top five slot and they damaged seventh-placed Mangotsfield United`s own hopes with a 1-0 home win, thanks to Jordan Bryan`s 11th minute effort.
North Leigh`s hopes of a top five finish, although not mathematically over, virtually are after losing 3-2 at Yate Town, whose Jack Ball bagged a brace and Mason Evans the other.
The Oxfordshire side clawed two back through Roger James and Michael Hopkins but were unable to find a leveller and are now 11 points behind Evesham with only 12 left to play for.
Winchester City and Larkhall Athletic shared a goalless draw in Hampshire, while on-loan Mario Mateus scored two to help Paulton Rovers to a 3-1 home win over Shortwood United.
Elsewhere, Barnstaple Town`s Ryan Turner after six minutes and James Mayne after 47 minutes outgunned AFC Totton`s Charlie Gunson`s 67th minute effort, while Jacob Davidge, Jordan Stoddart and Joe Bates were all on target for Bishops Cleeve at home to relegated Bridgwater.
George Reid gave Didcot Town an early fourth minute lead at home to Wimborne Town, and Ross Tanner added a second on 51 minutes in a 2-0 win while Lee Smith and Marley Thomas were on target for Slimbridge in another 2-0 success at home to Bideford.