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National League North and South relegations and playoffs confirmed

The National League North and South relegations and playoffs are confirmed after what has been a final day full of drama.

Telford managed to avoid relegation but had a late scare when York had equalised in the second half to cancel out Keaton Ward’s superb first half opener.

Farsley Celtic and Guiseley spent much of the game swapping positions, only for the latter to finish up as the club bottom and see themselves relegated to the Northern Premier League.

New Bucks Head was buzzing when, 21 year old midfielder Keaton Ward, on loan from Mansfield, scored a beauty to put Telford ahead.

Akil Wright however got the already confirmed play-off side York City level with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Everyone in the ground had their eyes on their phones, wondering what was happening elsewhere.

Farsley started the day third-bottom, but were set for the drop due to being beaten by Boston.

But Guiseley, who started bottom, were the ones to go down when a dramatic late turn of events saw them concede twice to Alfreton in the 89th and 94th minute.

The nerves remained until Alfreton went ahead and celebrations were to be had come full time with hundreds of supporters running onto the pitch at Telford – who finish finished third-bottom, two points clear.

The same highs and lows were had when Boston United beat Farsley Celtic with a 2-0 win (goals from Jake Wright Jnr and Danny Elliott) and claimed a place in the National League North playoffs. The Pilgrims leapfrogged Kettering Town to claim 7th as the Poppies could only draw 1-1 at Curzon Ashton.

Boston started the game knowing that if Kettering were to win they’d have to better the Kettering’s score by two goals.

Seriki sent in a long throw, which was then sent on by Luke Shiels, Wright got on the end of the ball and volleyed home on the turn to hand the visitors as 37th minute lead.

Farsley tried their best to turn the scoreline around after the interval, but couldn’t get that equaliser.

News of Curzon taking the lead against Kettering filtered throughout the ground.

Farsley then had to go for it with Guiseley leading at Alfreton and this placed Celtic back into the relegation zone.

Boston crushed the hosts’ survival hopes when scoring a second, Elliott diverting Scott Duxbury’s low cross into the roof of the net with seven minutes left.

As mentioned however, Alfreton scored twice very late on to in turn send Guiseley down, and everyone associated with Farsley could breathe easy again.

 

Havant & Waterlooville saw their National League South playoff hopes end with a 2-0 final day home defeat to Chippenham, who were the ones claiming that final place.

Striker Jordan Young scored twice in the second-half to make sure it was the Bluebirds who leapfrogged the Hawks into 7th position to claim the last remaining playoff place.

2,290 were in attendance at Westleigh Park, with the Hawks knowing that at least a draw against Chippenham would be enough to get the job done.

Jordan Young netted on the 69th and 77th minute to ruin the for the majority at the ground to make sure it was them who woul instead claim that last spot.

There was chances for the home side through a Manny Duku header which went wide and penalty calls with Jake McCarthy going to ground but ultimately, Havant didn’t deserve to come away with three points.

Chippenham made the most of their chances when it came to them, getting two crucial goals required to lift them into the playoff places.

 

FULL TIME SCORES:

National League North
FT AFC Fylde (1) 1-0 (0) Leamington
FT AFC Telford United (1) 1-1 (0) York City
FT Alfreton Town (0) 2-1 (0) Guiseley
FT Brackley Town (0) 0-0 (0) Chester
FT Bradford (Park Avenue) (0) 0-5 (3) Southport
FT Curzon Ashton (0) 1-1 (0) Kettering Town
FT Farsley Celtic (0) 0-2 (1) Boston United
FT Gateshead (1) 2-1 (0) Hereford
FT Gloucester City (0) 2-2 (1) Blyth Spartans
FT Kidderminster Harriers (0) 1-0 (0) Darlington
FT Spennymoor Town (1) 2-0 (0) Chorley

National League South
FT Bath City (1) 3-3 (2) Oxford City
FT Braintree Town (0) 0-1 (0) Billericay Town
FT Concord Rangers (0) 2-1 (1) Welling United
FT Dulwich Hamlet (1) 2-1 (0) Hemel Hempstead Town
FT Eastbourne Borough (1) 2-7 (3) Dartford
FT Ebbsfleet United (0) 2-1 (0) Chelmsford City
FT Havant & Waterlooville (0) 0-2 (0) Chippenham Town
FT Hungerford Town (0) 1-1 (0) Dorking Wanderers
FT Maidstone United (1) 2-1 (1) Hampton & Richmond Borough
FT St Albans City (2) 2-3 (2) Tonbridge Angels

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