In this article, we take a look at the latest promotions and relegations in non league football with the season’s end nearing.
Banbury United were confirmed as champions of the Southern League Premier Central division after a 1-1 draw at home to Tamworth.
The Puritans made history, coupled with Coalville Town’s stalemate against Hednesford Town, sealing the title with four games of their season remaining.
No words pic.twitter.com/Y4Yn51N2AJ
— Banbury United FC (@BanburyUnitedFC) April 2, 2022
It means they will play in the National League for the first time in 2022/23, when they will join either the north or south division.
Ex-Oxford United youngster Jack Stevens scored the title-clinching goal in front of a packed stadium, with 1,835 fans in attendance at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium.
Shaquille Whittingham had put Tamworth ahead with a superb half-volley strike on 13 minutes, however Andy Whing’s men fought back – despite Giorgio Rasulo having a late penalty saved.
Banbury knew they would be champions if they won, or matched Coalville’s result against Hednesford.
Whittingham clipped the crossbar midway through the first half, and the Tamworth stopper was forced to deny Stevens early in the second period, and with Coalville drawing, Banbury knew a goal could make all the difference.
This eventually came around the 60th minute mark when Stevens produced magic calmly beating Singh to put the Puritans on the verge of clinching the title.
Banbury continued to push for a winner, but Harding was on hand to prevent efforts from Eoin McKeown and Ryan Beswick.
The hosts thought they were able to make it 2-1 late on, being awarded a penalty in stoppage-time, however Singh saved from Rasulo to preserve a point for Tamworth. That didn’t stop the celebratory scenes that followed after.
There were also plenty of relegations in within Levels 7 and 8 of English football, find out who below.
Grantham Town fell to a 4-1 defeat away to Stafford Rangers to be dumped out of the Northern Premier League – Premier Division.
Tom Tonks got the hosts ahead on 12 minutes, but an own goal had Grantham back in the game.
The Gingerbreads fell apart however come the second half when Joe Kenton (58′), Kaiman Anderson (68′) and Ethan Stewart (90′) sent Grantham down.
In the Southern League – Premier South division, Wimborne Town are effectively relegated following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Dorchester Town.
They can still mathematically finish 3rd bottom in the league with 31 points but the 3rd bottom teams in each of the other Step 3 divisions already have more points than that.
In the Southern League Central Division, two teams were relegated.
Kempston Rovers’ 3-1 win at home to Kidlington played a part in Colney Heath going down as they drew 0-0 at home to Thame United.
Wantage Town also suffer relegation after being thrashed 7-0 against league leaders Bedford Town – three goals in the first half and four in the second, five from corners.
BANBURY UNITED
Played 36
Won 28
Drew 6
Lost 2
Goals For – 78
Goals Against – 28
GD – +50
Points – 90
GRANTHAM TOWN
Played 38
Won 6
Drew 9
Lost 23
Goals For – 40
Goals Against – 76
GD – -36
Points – 27
WIMBORNE TOWN
Played 37
Won 3
Drew 7
Lost 27
Goals For – 30
Goals Against – 90
GD – -60
Points – 16
COLNEY HEATH
Played 35
Won 5
Drew 2
Lost 28
Goals For – 30
Goals Against – 87
GD – -57
WANTAGE TOWN
Played 34
Won 3
Drew 5
Lost 26
Goals For – 30
Goals Against – 98
GD – -68
Points – 14
Twitter users reacted to the latest promotions and relegations in non league…
🙌🙌👌 Champions! pic.twitter.com/vglSxXA407
— Craig Pead (@craigpead) April 3, 2022
View this post on Instagram
How many years have I been waiting to see @BanburyUnitedFC crowned as CHAMPIONS of the Southern League. pic.twitter.com/wPsmCYiUre
— Kevin Hicklin (@Radarunited) April 2, 2022
— Tom (@_cp11_) April 2, 2022
@Finnovski: Yayyyyyyy….. what a fantastic season, been refreshing this twitter feed all afternoon. Congratulations from a Banbury boy now living in Germany 🏆
@Spag68: Congratulations to you Looks like it’ll be a while before i visit with my @halesowentownfc brothers again
@GloverKevin: Thoroughly deserved. Consistency throughout the whole season. Fingers crossed we can join you in that National League North.
@_leedavidson: Banbury in FM23! 👍
@BergerBrakes: Cheeky easy train derby next year
@BiddleGrant: Congratulations. Best team this season by a mile. Go smash it in NLN
@GeorgeHogg93: I knew you do it! Now party hard! Well done Banbury, absolutely superb 👏👏♥️💛
@willburford11: Congratulations guys! By far the best team in the league & fully deserved. 👏
@2_punter: Congratulations to you all, your club have been a sleeping giant in non-league terms for far too long, hoping you can push on and become the massive force that your club and support deserve. 👏👏👏
@fisher_kian: Congratulations, enjoyed my visit today and it was a good entertaining game! All the best for next season in NLN, try not to party to hard guys…😅, hopefully we ( Tamworth ) play you again soon… ⚽️
@PaulBradders1: Congratulations to one and all @BanburyUnitedFC well deserved champions and a fine example of a fan owned club enjoy your night Champions 🍀🍀🍀
@lukeoufcbodily: Town will be buzzing tonight, fantastic achievement @BanburyUnitedFC @Whingy2 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
@_sarax91: LOVE IT!! YOU SHAGGING PURITANSSSS🔴
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