HAMWORTHY'S PPG JOY

The rules this season over who goes up from Step 5 (our Premier Division) to the Southern League is rather complicated.

The 16 Step 5 League champions all take promotion, in addition, in a nutshell, the top 10 points per game ranked teams will be automatically promoted, whilst the six sides finishing second with the lowest points per game record will play an inter-division play-off against sides from Step 4, we hope we shall not need to think about that, not least as the game(s) look to be scheduled the same weekend as our League Cup Final. 

For us, Hamworthy United (pictured) with the 3-1 win at Hurn Bridge on Tuesday earns them a top two finish this season. With a superior points per game figure, even if they end as runners up, they will be promoted automatically in the Summer. They remain on course to pick up the title though so in any event that would secure the promotion. Three points from three games will suffice, currently their points per game tally is 2.432.

However, lurking in second spot are Bashley- looking to jump at the opportunity to overhaul the Hammers- they too have a good points per game tally (namely 2.243), which at time of writing gives them an eighth placed slot, so it looks like we shall potentially see two of our members moving up the ladder this Summer.

On behalf of the League, I send our best wishes to the Hammers on their progress after two difficult seasons both on and off the pitch and wish them well going forwards. The seeds were sown when the late Steve Harvey was in the Chair and it is a tribute to him as much as anybody that sees the club where they are today.

Similarly, we wish Bashley the best of luck in their return to the Southern League after a short break.

However, should the New Forest side fail to collect the points in their remaining three games, Shaftesbury are also still in the hunt for a runners up berth. So, even now there is something to play for this weekend.

Other teams already “promoted” are United Counties South Harborough Town and Hinckley LR (from the same Division as Newport Pagnell Town) and Southern Counties East’s Sheppey United, whilst from Combined Counties North, Hanworth Villa have already secured the title as have Walthamstow in the Essex Senior and Bishops Cleeve from the Hellenic Premier.

PPG DATA - 2021/22 - AT A GLANCE

Article Photo: Ian Middlebrook