National South Playoff Preview

The National South playoffs begin this week with the eliminator round taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday night. We take a look at the six sides who made the end of season finale and the potential opponents Dartford could face.

2nd – Dartford – 83 points
W25 D8 L13 F82 A50 GD+32

Securing second place for the Darts may be crucial because they hit the 50-point mark at Princes Park, the second-best home tally in the division and best out of the playoff teams. A strong period from September to November and a festive double over the champions set Alan Dowson’s side up for a title push. All that fell away in the second half of the season as inconsistency left Dartford battling for home advantage. In the end they secured a runners up spot with a game to spare by beating St Albans City, who they could face in the semi-final. A fifth playoff campaign in seven years, the Darts have previously lost to Chelmsford City in 2017 and Braintree Town a year later. Their last two attempts ended in penalty shoot-out defeats against Weymouth in the final and Chippenham Town 12 months ago. This squad will hope to take inspiration from the team that won the National South playoffs back in 2012, whilst Dowson has experience of winning promotion via the playoffs as boss of Woking six years later.

Playoff route
Sunday 7 May (12:30) – home vs Chelmsford City or St Albans City
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – home vs Oxford City, Worthing or Braintree Town

3rd – Oxford City – 83 points
W21 D15 L10 F83 A56 GD+27

Whatever division Oxford City end up in next season they have managed to put long unbeaten runs together in 2022/2023. The Hoops have only lost three times in 2023 and come into the playoffs as one of the form teams. Within those undefeated streaks Oxford City have drawn the second most in the National South. On the road they have a defence difficult to breach, but lack goals at the other end. At home they have only lost three times which will provide them with a semi-final advantage. Ross Jenkins’s side make the playoffs for a second year in a row and will hope to repeat the final they won to get into the National South in 2012, rather than the semi-final loss last season. Against the teams who made the playoffs, Oxford City are unbeaten at home and on their travels results have been extremely close. Promotion will take them to the National League for the first time, but failure could see them remain in the South or move across to the North.

Playoff route
Sunday 7 May (15:30) – home vs Worthing or Braintree Town
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – away vs Dartford or home vs Chelmsford City or St Albans City

4th – Worthing – 78 points
W22 D12 L12 F92 A72 GD +20

The Isthmian Premier League champions could make it back-to-back promotions after an outstanding first season in the National South. They could follow in the footsteps of fellow south coast teams such as Weymouth and Havant and Waterlooville, who also made the move from step three to step one in consecutive campaigns. In Ollie Pearce they have a goalscorer and the second best attack in the division totalling 92 league goals, however at the back they have also conceded an astounding 72, the same as bottom club Hungerford Town. Approaching the playoffs in good form, the Rebels beat Concord Rangers 7-0 to start April and won six of their last seven games. The Sussex club have been consistent in that their home and away form is nearly identical and with the number of goals scored in each net they could be providing the playoffs with plenty of entertainment.

Playoff route
Wednesday 3 May (19:45) – home vs Braintree Town
Sunday 7 May (15:30) – away vs Oxford City
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – away vs Dartford or home vs Chelmsford City or St Albans City

5th – Chelmsford City – 78 points
W23 D9 L14 F67 A49 GD +18

Robbie Simpson has done an excellent job to turn Chelmsford City’s fortunes around. A year ago, they finished down in 19^th avoiding relegation to the Isthmian Premier League. This time, the Essex club were tussling for second place and if it wasn’t for a sticky winter period, they may well have accrued enough points. The Clarets finished strongly with only Oxford City and Taunton Town beating them in their final nine games. At home, Chelmsford City have managed to perform when it comes to fixtures against those around them dropping just two points when up against fellow contenders. The Clarets are taking part in their seventh playoff campaign at this level since 2009 and only once have they reached the final, when they beat Dartford on the way. 

Playoff route
Tuesday 2 May (19:45) – home vs St Albans City
Sunday 7 May (12:30) – away vs Dartford
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – away vs Oxford City or Worthing or home vs Braintree Town

6th – St Albans City – 75 points
W22 D9 L15 F71 A51 GD +20

Three times playoff winners, St Albans City won in 2004 to enter the National South when the non-league pyramid was restructured. Two years later they triumphed against Histon to reach the National League where they stayed for a season only. After another relegation they returned to the National South in 2014 when they beat Chesham United in the final. This season they head into the mini-competition with the best away record out of the contenders and a top striker in Shaun Jeffers. Just two defeats in their final ten outings, one of which against Dartford, who they could play in the semi-final, saw the Hertfordshire club finish just as strong as Worthing and Chelmsford City. On the other hand the Saints have the worst record against fellow playoff sides, but they won’t be put off by being on the road.

Playoff route
Tuesday 2 May (19:45) – away vs Chelmsford City
Sunday 7 May (12:30) – away vs Dartford
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – away vs Oxford City or Worthing or home vs Braintree Town

7th – Braintree Town – 74 points
W20 D14 L12 F66 A55 GD +11

Slipping down to seventh on the final day of the season meant the Iron lost any chance of home advantage at all. This could be a deciding factor to a successful playoff campaign as Braintree Town only lost two at Cressing Road all season, going 19 unbeaten in the league before their first home reverse. Form really picked up at the turn of the year when the Essex club went undefeated in the National South for three months over 13 matches. They finished by losing half of their last eight games, but did manage to beat champions Ebbsfleet United. Braintree Town made their playoff debut in 2016 when they played for a place in the Football League, however they lost to Grimsby Town in the semi-final. Their last appearance was triumphant in 2018 winning on penalties against Hemel Hempstead Town, beating Dartford with a Billy Crook goal then they defeated Hampton and Richmond Borough on spot kicks to return to the National League.

Playoff route
Wednesday 3 May (19:45) – away vs Worthing
Sunday 7 May (15:30) – away vs Oxford City
Sunday 14 May (12:30) – away vs Dartford, Chelmsford City or St Albans City