The season may be over for FC Halifax Town, but the Vanarama National League action continues with the playoffs.
In the playoffs, the teams that finished 4th to 7th will compete in a preliminary elimination round with the winners facing the teams who finished 2nd and 3rd in the semi-finals.
Going into the last match of the season, we already knew who would be competing in the National League playoffs but there was still some jockeying for position to be done. We now know that AFC Fylde will play Harrogate Town and Wrexham will host Eastleigh in the preliminary round with Salford City and Solihull Moors awaiting the victors from each tie.
Of the 12 league games that The Shaymen played against the six sides competing in the playoffs, Jamie Fullarton’s men managed an impressive five wins and five draws. Those results will surely give Town immense confidence going into next season.
In the Vanarama National League North, Stockport County pipped Chorley to the post for automatic promotion to the National League. That means that Chorley, along with Brackley Town, will receive byes to the playoff semi-final.
There were three teams vying for the final two places in the playoffs on the last day of the season and Blyth Spartans impressive seven game winning streak to end the season secured their place. In stark contrast, Bradford Park Avenue’s terrible run of three defeats in their last four still managed to secure them a place as results went in their favour. Park Avenue will travel to Spennymoor Town and Blyth will visit Altrincham in the preliminary elimination round.
Torquay United ran away with the Vanarama National League South title so it will be an almost 600-mile round trip for The Shaymen faithful to look forward to next season.
There has been plenty of drama in the National League South playoff situation. Despite Concord Rangers finishing 6th, they have been denied a place in the playoffs due to failing ground grading requirements. Clubs are required to have at least 500 covered seats and although Rangers have given their assurance that they will meet the requirement in time for the new season, the National League has upheld their decision to deny them a chance of promotion.
This decision now means that Bath City will face Wealdstone in the preliminary elimination round and as Concord will not be competing, their opponents Chelmsford City will receive a bye to the semi-final. Woking will play the winner of Bath v Wealdstone and Welling United will face Chelmsford.
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