It didn’t seem long ago that Dolphin fans were content in the knowledge that we had 14 games to preserve our Southern League Premier South status. Now with just five games of the season left we still find ourselves deep in the relegation zone. With home matches against Marlow, Swindon Supermarine and Chertsey and away fixtures at promotion chasing Merthyr on Saturday April 12th and Dorchester on Bank Holiday Monday to come every point is going to be vital.
It was of course a huge disappointment to come away from Plymouth with nothing but our focus is now very much on those five remaining fixtures.
This coming Saturday we welcome Marlow who after just one season at this level have already been relegated. The Blues won promotion from the Isthmian League – South Central last season beating Leatherhead 3-1 in the play-off final on 5th May. They were runners up to Chertsey Town and won 29 of their 40 matches, scoring 106 goals. However, the step up has not worked out for them and they will drop back to Step 4 next season.
In the reverse fixture in August, we won 2-1 at The Alfred Davis Stadium.
They come into the match on the back of two heavy defeats, the 6-0 drubbing at Dorchester where Brett Pitman scored a hat-trick on his Magpies debut, and the 3-1 reverse at home to Havant & Waterlooville last Saturday. Their remaining fixtures at home to Hungerford and Basingstoke and away to Gloucester and Tiverton, may well have a huge bearing on both the play-off places and the relegation scramble.
The Blues have won just two matches away from the Alfred Davis Stadium against Gosport (1-0) and Chertsey (5-2).
In the post-match interview at Plymouth, Joe & Pat lamented the defensive errors that probably cost us the game. They reflected on how we didn’t do what we had been doing well in the past few games, especially in the two recent home wins against Winchester and Sholing. They went on to say that the lack of forward play was a big factor in us not coming away with anything. So, no one is any doubt that we must take all nine points that are on offer from our last three home matches. It is universally agreed that that can’t afford to make any more mistakes and do everything possible to get the three wins. Harvey Slade suffered an injury at Plymouth but it is hoped that he will be available for selection for the Marlow match.
The game has been chosen as the School Voucher Day so there is bound to be a large crowd on what should be a lovely warm afternoon. There will be many activities and give aways for the children, which always generates a special atmosphere.
As has been said many times this season, the support given to the team has been immense and has made a real difference to the lads. Let’s keep that enthusiasm going for just a little longer as we enter the final stages of the season.
Enjoy the game,
Neil Wellington.
