Weekend of reckoning for Conference Premier’s capital clubs

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Ben Smith previews the weekend’s fixtures…

The Easter weekend fixtures could condemn both Dartford and Welling United to relegation from the Vanarama Conference, while Barnet can inch closer to a return to the Football League.

Dartford are 10 points adrift of safety with five games to go, and head to Torquay United on Saturday in the knowledge that a defeat, coupled with wins for Alfreton Town and Aldershot, would see them lose their Conference status.

The Darts were given a reprieve last season despite finishing 22nd, as Hereford United and Salisbury City were demoted due to financial irregularities. No such respite is forthcoming this time around, and it is almost certain that Dartford will be playing football in England’s sixth tier next year.

If the Kent outfit can overturn an out-of-sorts Torquay at Plainmoor and delay the inevitable, then league leaders Barnet could be the ones to consign the Darts to relegation on Monday lunchtime in front of live BT Sport cameras.

The Bees currently sit one point clear of both Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town, with both of the chasing teams in fine form. The Mariners have picked up 22 points from a possible 24 since their Valentines Day loss at the hands of Rovers, whilst the Gas have lost just once in their last 24 matches.

Before their short trip to Dartford, Barnet entertain Nuneaton Town, who themselves have a mountain to climb to avoid the drop. Martin Allen’s men won’t be taking anything for granted though – the Bees could only muster a 1-1 draw at 20th-placed Alfreton last week.

The Barnet boss remained buoyant despite conceding a late equaliser, and told the club’s official site:
“It wasn’t to be today, but it is another point towards our total away from home on the road. Five games to go and we pack our bags now, get back to London and get ready for our next home game.”

It’s not been a good year for Conference Premier clubs south of the river this year. Welling will make the short journey to Woking on Saturday afternoon, and entertain Eastleigh two days later, knowing they have to win both games if they are to claw their way out of the relegation zone. Both opponents are on the periphery of the play-off places, but if the Wings can yield six points from the two tough outings and other results work in their favour, the Wings will move to within a point of safety.

Welling will hope that Ross Lafayette, who registered 15 league goals last season before joining Luton Town in the summer, can reproduce that goal scoring form following his recent return to Park View Road on loan, but it is highly likely that the Wings will be plying their trade alongside Dartford in the Conference South in the next campaign.

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