Saturday’s Play Off Permutations

Will Dulwich Hamlet make the playoffs? If they do will they be playing away and where? Confused? You won't be, after this Saturday's episode of...

... the Pink and Blue Playoff Pursuit.

Dulwich Hamlet travel to Needham Market this Saturday in search of the point or points that will secure then a top five spot in the Ryman League Premier Division for the second season running. However, they could also secure that place should they lose but will be heavily dependent on results elsewhere going in favour of Gavin Rose’s men.

The key permutations are:

If Dulwich Hamlet win at Needham Market, they are guaranteed a place in the playoffs regards of what happens in other games in the Ryman League Premier Division. That would ensure that Dulwich finish in at least fifth spot and mean an away playoff semi-final away to either Hampton & Richmond Borough, East Thurrock United or Bognor Regis Town, whichever of these finishes runners-up to the ultimate Champions. The eventual winners of the Division will be either Hampton & Richmond Borough who lead Bognor Regis Town by three points. To dethrone the Beavers from top spot, the Rocks would first need to beat Hendon then hope that Enfield Town upset Hampton & Richmond Borough at the Beveree. It would also require a three goal swing in goal difference with Alan Dowson’s Beavers currently on +53 & Jamie Howell’s Rocks on +49 with Hampton having scored 14 more goals over the season, 105 to 91.

Of course that hypothesised victory for Enfield Town at Hampton would then enable the Towners to overtake or draw level with Dulwich Hamlet depending on the result at Needham Market. Should Dulwich only draw at Needham Market then Enfield Town would need to be victors at the Beveree by ten clear goals to eliminate the Hamlet’s superior goal difference (+36 to +27) & goals scored (92 to 74).

Something else to throw into the mix would be defeat for Tonbridge Angels away to Burgess Hill Town, with the hosts still in danger of a bottom four finish & all the attendant confusion over the Farnborough issue. Should Tonbridge Angels go down at the Green Elephants Stadium, then fourth place is in reach for Dulwich Hamlet with a three goal swing in goal difference, Steve McKimm’s side currently on +41, Gavin Rose’s on +36 and having scored two more than their rivals (92 to 90).

Dulwich Hamlet are obliged to mention that other permutations are available but some of these are so ludicrous Erich von Däniken has rejected them for his latest book.

Of course there’s also the relegation question with Needham Market currently in the fourth and final place in the drop zone with VCD Athletic, Lewes and Brentwood Town having slipped through the trapdoor, the Rooks and the Vickers still battling to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Of course there is still the thorny issue of the Farnborough Question which may mean a reprieve for the club in 21st spot at the final whistles on Saturday but that may be decided in the dusty corridors of the Isthmian League or the FA.

These questions—and many others—will be answered in the next episode of... The Pink and Blue Playoff Pursuit.

Perhaps to avoid any headaches Dulwich Hamlet supporters should just forget they ever read this and concentrate on the one simple fact – A DULWICH HAMLET VICTORY EQUALS A PLACE IN THE PLAYOFFS.