2021–22 Southern Football League

The 2021–22 Southern Football League season was the 119th in the history of the Southern League since its establishment in 1894. The league had two Premier divisions (Central and South) at Step 3 of the National League System (NLS) and two Division One divisions (Central and South) at Step 4. These correspond to levels 7 and 8 of the English football league system.

The allocations for Step 4 this season were announced by The Football Association (FA) on 17 May 2021.[1]

The scheduled restructuring of the non-League system took place at the end of the 2020–21 season and a new division was added to the Northern Premier League at Step 4 for 2021–22,[2] which resulted in some reallocations into or out of, and promotions to, the Southern League's Step 4 divisions.[2]

Premier Division Central

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Southern Football League
Premier Division Central
Season2021–22
ChampionsBanbury United
PromotedBanbury United
Peterborough Sports
RelegatedBiggleswade United
Lowestoft Town
Matches played420
Goals scored1,271 (3.03 per match)
Highest attendance1,835
Banbury United 1–1 Tamworth (2 April 2022)
Total attendance178,706
Average attendance425 (+18.4% to previous full season)

After Kings Langley were transferred to the Premier Division South, The Premier Division Central consisted of 21 clubs, all from the previous aborted season.

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Banbury United 40 32 6 2 92 32 +60 102 Promoted to the National League North
2 Peterborough Sports 40 24 7 9 94 46 +48 79 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the National League North[a]
3 Coalville Town 40 23 9 8 86 47 +39 78 Qualified for the play-offs
4 Rushall Olympic 40 20 9 11 80 54 +26 69
5 Alvechurch 40 18 11 11 57 41 +16 65
6 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 40 19 8 13 57 49 +8 65
7 Leiston 40 18 6 16 59 65 −6 60
8 Royston Town 40 17 8 15 65 51 +14 59
9 Hednesford Town 40 14 12 14 66 64 +2 54
10 Tamworth 40 14 12 14 58 58 0 54
11 Stourbridge 40 15 8 17 61 71 −10 53
12 Needham Market 40 12 13 15 66 69 −3 49
13 Stratford Town 40 13 8 19 48 70 −22 47
14 St Ives Town 40 13 8 19 57 90 −33 47
15 Redditch United 40 11 12 17 38 50 −12 45
16 Nuneaton Borough 40 11 10 19 51 62 −11 42[b]
17 Hitchin Town 40 11 9 20 47 58 −11 42
18 Bromsgrove Sporting 40 10 12 18 36 59 −23 42 Reprieve from relegation[c]
19 Barwell 40 10 11 19 57 78 −21 41
20 Biggleswade Town 40 7 13 20 47 64 −17 34 Relegated to Division One Central
21 Lowestoft Town 40 9 6 25 49 93 −44 33 Relegated to Isthmian League North Division
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 2.
  2. ^ Nuneaton Borough were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player.
  3. ^ Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and three that are placed third-from-bottom and has the most points per game (PPG), were reprieved.[3]

Play-offs

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Semi-finals Final
      
2 Peterborough Sports 2
5 Alvechurch 1
2 Peterborough Sports 2
3 Coalville Town 0
3 Coalville Town 3
4 Rushall Olympic 0

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Peterborough Sports 2–1AlvechurchBee Arena, Peterborough
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Fryatt   46'
McCammon   53'
Clayton-Phillips   69' Attendance: 741
26 April 2022 Coalville Town 3–0Rushall OlympicMander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium, Coalville
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Putman   10'
Waite   18' (pen)
Waite   84'
Attendance: 1,223

Final

2 May 2022 Peterborough Sports 2–0Coalville TownBee Arena, Peterborough
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Jones   10'
McCammon   58'
Attendance: 1,895

Results

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Home \ Away RUD ALV BAN BAR BIG BRO COA HED HIT LEI LOW NEE NUN PSP RED ROY RUS STI STO STR TAM
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1–2 0–2 0–1 0–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 2–1 3–3 3–1 2–0 0–1 0–1 1–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–3 2–2
Alvechurch 1–2 0–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 0–2 3–1 1–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 5–1 2–1 2–1
Banbury United 2–0 2–1 3–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 3–2 3–0 3–3 1–0 2–1 1–2 2–0 1–0 5–1 1–1 1–0 1–1
Barwell 1–2 1–1 2–6 1–0 2–3 1–0 3–4 2–1 2–0 1–4 2–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–1 0–0 4–5 0–1 4–0 0–1
Biggleswade Town 0–0 1–1 0–2 7–0 0–0 2–2 0–2 0–0 3–2 2–1 5–1 1–1 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–1 3–2 1–3 7–1 2–2
Bromsgrove Sporting 2–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 1–0 0–4 3–1 1–0 0–1 0–4 1–0 1–2 2–4 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–1
Coalville Town 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 4–0 0–0 2–1 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–1 6–2 2–0 2–3 3–0 3–0 3–0 3–1 4–0
Hednesford Town 2–3 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–1 3–2 3–0 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–1 3–1 1–2 2–3
Hitchin Town 1–2 0–1 0–2 3–2 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 4–1 3–2 1–6 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 0–3 0–1 1–1
Leiston 2–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–3 2–1 2–1 4–2 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–4 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1
Lowestoft Town 2–3 3–2 1–3 0–3 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 3–5 0–1 0–3 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–1
Needham Market 2–2 1–1 1–4 2–2 3–0 0–1 0–1 3–3 3–1 3–0 4–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–3 4–1 1–0
Nuneaton Borough 0–1 2–2 0–0 0–2 3–3 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 1–4 0–1 0–2 0–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–0
Peterborough Sports 2–1 0–1 2–3 3–1 3–0 2–2 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–2 5–0 3–0 4–0 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–0 8–4 1–1 2–0
Redditch United 1–3 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–4 1–1 2–1 0–1 4–2 0–0 1–3 0–1 2–3 1–1 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–2
Royston Town 1–2 0–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 0–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–2 4–0 3–3 2–0 1–2 1–0 2–3 1–1 1–2 3–0 3–0
Rushall Olympic 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 5–1 1–1 2–2 0–3 3–1 4–1 2–1 1–4 2–2 0–1 3–1 4–0 4–1 1–2
St Ives Town 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 2–3 2–4 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–7 2–1 1–7 3–2 1–4 0–4 1–2
Stourbridge 1–1 0–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–3 1–2 0–4 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–6 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–1 1–3 4–2 4–0
Stratford Town 1–2 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–3 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–2 2–3 4–2 2–5 2–1 3–0 0–3 0–3 1–0 1–0
Tamworth 0–1 1–1 0–4 6–0 3–1 1–0 1–1 3–3 0–0 1–3 6–1 5–2 3–0 0–2 1–0 2–0 0–4 1–1 4–0 0–2
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

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Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC Rushden & Diamonds Rushden Hayden Road 2,000
Alvechurch Alvechurch Lye Meadow 3,000
Banbury United Banbury Spencer Stadium 2,000
Barwell Barwell Kirkby Road 2,500
Biggleswade Town Biggleswade Langford Road 3,000
Bromsgrove Sporting Bromsgrove Victoria Ground 4,893
Coalville Town Coalville Owen Street Sports Ground 2,000
Hednesford Town Hednesford Keys Park 6,039
Hitchin Town Hitchin Top Field 4,554
Leiston Leiston Victory Road 2,250
Lowestoft Town Lowestoft Crown Meadow 3,000
Needham Market Needham Market Bloomfields 4,000
Nuneaton Borough Nuneaton Liberty Way 4,614
Peterborough Sports Peterborough Lincoln Road 2,300
Redditch United Redditch The Valley 5,000
Royston Town Royston Garden Walk 5,000
Rushall Olympic Walsall (Rushall) Dales Lane 2,000
St Ives Town St Ives Westwood Road 2,000
Stourbridge Stourbridge War Memorial Athletic Ground 2,626
Stratford Town Stratford-upon-Avon Knights Lane 2,000
Tamworth Tamworth The Lamb Ground 4,565

Premier Division South

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Southern Football League
Premier Division South
Season2021–22
ChampionsTaunton Town
PromotedTaunton Town
Farnborough
RelegatedWimborne Town
Matches played462
Goals scored1,391 (3.01 per match)
Highest attendance2,303
Taunton Town 2–1 Farnborough (23 April 2022)
Total attendance162,690
Average attendance352 (+4.1% to previous full season)

The Premier Division consisted of 22 clubs: 20 clubs from the previous season, and two new clubs:

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Taunton Town 42 28 7 7 83 42 +41 91 Promoted to the National League South
2 Hayes & Yeading United 42 26 8 8 100 39 +61 86 Qualified for the play-offs
3 Farnborough 42 26 7 9 73 44 +29 85 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the National League South[a]
4 Metropolitan Police 42 24 9 9 72 46 +26 81 Qualified for the play-offs
5 Weston-super-Mare 42 23 9 10 72 41 +31 78
6 Chesham United 42 22 11 9 80 50 +30 77
7 Yate Town 42 21 9 12 66 48 +18 72
8 Truro City 42 20 10 12 62 54 +8 70
9 Gosport Borough 42 19 9 14 65 56 +9 66
10 Poole Town 42 19 7 16 74 69 +5 64
11 Walton Casuals 42 16 10 16 53 61 −8 58 Club folded
12 Swindon Supermarine 42 16 9 17 63 63 0 57
13 Tiverton Town 42 15 8 19 61 63 −2 53
14 Harrow Borough 42 15 7 20 62 77 −15 52
15 Salisbury 42 13 9 20 49 75 −26 48
16 Hendon 42 14 5 23 58 70 −12 47
17 Beaconsfield Town 42 13 7 22 70 92 −22 46
18 Hartley Wintney 42 13 5 24 56 75 −19 44
19 Dorchester Town 42 12 5 25 41 58 −17 41 Reprieved from relegation[b]
20 Kings Langley 42 9 10 23 49 68 −19 37 Reprieved from relegation, then transferred to the Premier Division Central
21 Merthyr Town 42 6 8 28 47 94 −47 26 Reprieved from relegation[c]
22 Wimborne Town 42 4 7 31 35 106 −71 19 Relegated to Division One South
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 2.
  2. ^ Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and three that are placed third-from-bottom and has the most points per game (PPG), were reprieved.[3]
  3. ^ Merthyr Town were reprieved from relegation following the withdrawal of Walton Casuals from the Southern League in June 2022.[5]

Play-offs

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Semi-finals Final
      
2 Hayes & Yeading United 2
5 Weston-Super-Mare 1
2 Hayes & Yeading United 1
3 Farnborough 2
3 Farnborough 2
4 Metropolitan Police 1

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Hayes & Yeading United 2–1Weston-Super-MareSkyex Community Stadium, London
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Rowe   19'
Emmanuel   58'
King   88' Attendance: 607
26 April 2022 Farnborough 2–1Metropolitan PoliceEasy as HGV Stadium, Farnborough
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Fearn   90'
Parker   96'
Alves   85' Attendance: 947

Final

2 May 2022 Hayes & Yeading United1–2 Farnborough Skyex Community Stadium, London
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Emmanuel   13' Parker   45'
Deering   86'
Attendance: 1,600

Results

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Home \ Away BEA CHE DOR FAR GOS HAB HAR HAY HEN KLL MER MET POO SAL SWI TAU TIV TRU WAL WES WIM YAT
Beaconsfield Town 2–2 2–0 1–2 7–2 6–1 1–0 0–2 2–2 1–0 3–4 2–2 2–1 3–3 5–1 0–1 3–5 1–2 2–4 1–2 2–2 0–4
Chesham United 2–2 5–1 1–3 4–2 0–0 4–2 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–1 3–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 5–0 1–0
Dorchester Town 1–2 1–2 1–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 0–1 3–0 2–0 1–3 0–1 1–4 0–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 3–0 0–1
Farnborough 2–0 1–0 1–0 3–1 1–3 2–0 0–0 3–0 4–1 3–2 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 4–1 1–2
Gosport Borough 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–3 0–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–2 4–3 1–0 1–3 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 1–3 2–0 2–1
Harrow Borough 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–2 1–0 2–1 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–0 2–2 3–2 3–2 6–3 0–0 1–0 2–0 1–2
Hartley Wintney 1–4 0–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 0–3 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–3 1–0 1–2 0–1 4–1 2–1 1–2 2–0 2–2
Hayes & Yeading United 2–1 2–0 3–0 4–2 1–1 4–2 6–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–2 6–1 2–0 3–0 2–1 2–3 1–0 0–1 1–2 8–1 4–0
Hendon 2–0 0–3 1–3 0–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–6 0–2 6–0 3–0 3–2 2–3 1–0 2–0 1–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–2
Kings Langley 0–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 0–0 0–2 5–0 2–1 4–2 1–1 2–3 3–0 1–2 1–2 1–1 3–3 0–1 0–1 0–1 4–0 0–1
Merthyr Town 4–0 0–3 1–1 2–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 0–5 0–2 0–1 2–3 0–3 5–0 1–3 0–3 1–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–3
Metropolitan Police 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 3–1 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–2 3–0 2–2 1–0
Poole Town 2–0 0–0 1–0 1–3 2–1 3–0 2–1 1–4 2–1 6–2 2–0 5–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–4 1–0 0–3 3–1 0–2
Salisbury 1–2 1–2 0–1 1–0 0–5 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 4–2 1–2 0–3 1–3 2–1 0–0 0–2 1–1
Swindon Supermarine 2–2 2–1 1–0 5–2 0–0 2–4 3–2 0–4 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 0–1 2–0 0–1 6–1 2–1 3–1 1–3
Taunton Town 7–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 7–1 2–1 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 3–0 3–2 3–1 2–1
Tiverton Town 5–1 0–0 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 4–1 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–0 0–1
Truro City 0–1 4–1 1–0 2–2 1–2 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–4 0–0 3–1 1–0 3–0 1–3 1–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 0–4 2–1 0–0
Walton Casuals 3–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 2–1 4–3 3–2 2–1 4–0 1–1 0–5 2–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–2 0–3
Weston-super-Mare 2–1 3–1 1–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 1–3 1–1 6–0 3–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–0 1–2
Wimborne Town 1–3 1–2 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–4 1–0 1–4 1–4 3–3 1–1 0–2 2–4 0–1 1–2 1–4 1–0 3–4 0–0 0–4 0–5
Yate Town 4–0 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 2–1 1–3 0–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–1 5–2 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–0
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

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Greater London and environ Premier Division South clubs
Club Location Stadium Capacity
Beaconsfield Town Beaconsfield Holloways Park 3,500
Chesham United Chesham The Meadow 5,000
Dorchester Town Dorchester The Avenue Stadium 5,000
Farnborough Farnborough Cherrywood Road 7,000
Gosport Borough Gosport Privett Park 4,500
Harrow Borough Harrow Earlsmead Stadium 3,000
Hartley Wintney Hartley Wintney The Memorial Playing Fields 2,000
Hayes & Yeading United Hayes, Hillingdon SkyEx Community Stadium 3,000
Hendon Hendon Silver Jubilee Park 2,000
Kings Langley Kings Langley Sadiku Stadium 1,963
Merthyr Town Merthyr Tydfil Penydarren Park 4,000
Metropolitan Police East Molesey Imber Court 3,000
Poole Town Poole Tatnam Ground 2,500
Salisbury Salisbury Raymond McEnhill Stadium 5,000
Swindon Supermarine Swindon (South Marston) Hunts Copse Ground 3,000
Taunton Town Taunton Wordsworth Drive 2,500
Tiverton Town Tiverton Ladysmead 3,500
Truro City Plymouth Bolitho Park (groundshare with Plymouth Parkway) 3,500
Walton Casuals Walton-on-Thames Elmbridge Sports Hub 2,500
Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare Woodspring Stadium 3,500
Wimborne Town Wimborne Minster The Cuthbury 3,000
Yate Town Yate Lodge Road 2,000

Division One Central

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Southern Football League
Division One Central
Season2021–22
ChampionsBedford Town
PromotedBedford Town
North Leigh
RelegatedColney Heath
Wantage Town
Matches played380
Goals scored1,244 (3.27 per match)
Highest attendance1,254
Bedford Town 2–0 Berkhamsted (29 January 2022)
Total attendance68,899
Average attendance181 (-4.2% to previous full season)

Division One Central consisted of 20 clubs: 14 clubs from the previous season, and six new clubs.

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Bedford Town 38 28 7 3 100 28 +72 91 Promoted to the Premier Division Central
2 Berkhamsted 38 24 9 5 64 29 +35 81 Qualified for the play-offs[a]
3 AFC Dunstable 38 21 10 7 64 33 +31 73
4 Ware 38 21 8 9 90 47 +43 71
5 Welwyn Garden City 38 21 8 9 80 48 +32 71 Excluded from the play-offs[b]
6 North Leigh 38 19 11 8 69 42 +27 68 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the Premier Division South
7 Harlow Town 38 17 10 11 71 49 +22 61
8 Thame United 38 16 12 10 64 45 +19 60
9 Biggleswade 38 18 6 14 62 56 +6 60
10 St Neots Town 38 14 11 13 57 53 +4 53 Transferred to the Northern Premier League
11 Waltham Abbey 38 15 7 16 64 64 0 52
12 FC Romania 38 15 3 20 71 83 −12 48
13 Didcot Town 38 13 8 17 50 69 −19 47
14 Aylesbury United 38 12 7 19 64 70 −6 43
15 Barton Rovers 38 11 8 19 47 63 −16 41
16 Hertford Town 38 10 6 22 58 82 −24 36
17 Kidlington 38 8 11 19 47 86 −39 35 Reprieved from the inter-step play-off[c]
18 Kempston Rovers 38 8 5 25 50 102 −52 29 Qualified for the inter-step play-off[d]
19 Colney Heath 38 7 2 29 35 92 −57 23 Relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League
20 Wantage Town 38 5 5 28 37 103 −66 20 Relegated to the Hellenic League
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 3.
  2. ^ Welwyn Garden City were initially relegated for failing Step 4 ground grading standards. Although this relegaton was rescinded on appeal, Welwyn were still excluded from the promotion play-offs.[6]
  3. ^ Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs.[7]
  4. ^ Contested a one-off play-off match as one of the remaining six third-from-bottom teams against one of the six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. The winner remained at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season and the loser at Step 5.[7]

Play-offs

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Semi-finals Final
      
2 Berkhamsted 1
6 North Leigh 2
4 Ware 2
6 North Leigh 4
3 AFC Dunstable 0 (3)
4 Ware 0 (4)

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Berkhamsted1–2 (a.e.t.) North Leigh Broadwater, Berkhamsted
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Walster   90+2' Steele   58'
Gunn   96'
Attendance: 523
26 April 2022 AFC Dunstable0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)
Ware Creasy Park, Dunstable
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Attendance: 374

Final

2 May 2022 Ware2–4 North Leigh Wodson Park, Ware
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Adu-Donyinah   84'
Dulson   88'
Nash   41'
McCreadie   50'
Louis   90+5'
Williams   90+6'
Attendance: 1,564

Inter-step play-off

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30 April 2022 Kempston Rovers 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Eccleshill UnitedCauseway Ground, Cinderford
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Hayford   37'
Baker   68'
Bradley   50'
Cissa   56'
Attendance: 184

Results

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Home \ Away AYU BAR BDT BER BIG COL DID DUN ROM HAR HER KEM KID NOR STN THM WAL WAN WAR WGC
Aylesbury United 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–3 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 3–4
Barton Rovers 1–1 0–2 0–3 0–1 3–0 0–1 0–2 0–3 0–2 0–1 2–1 0–3 1–2 2–0 0–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–5
Bedford Town 2–1 2–1 2–0 2–1 3–0 4–0 2–0 5–1 4–0 3–2 5–1 3–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–2 8–1 2–3 1–0
Berkhamsted 3–1 2–2 1–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 1–0 5–0 0–1 2–1
Biggleswade 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–3 3–0 2–1 4–1 3–1 1–0 1–2 1–2 0–3 2–1 1–2 3–0 2–1
Colney Heath 3–1 1–2 0–3 0–1 2–3 2–3 0–1 1–2 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–3 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 0–5 0–2
Didcot Town 3–3 4–0 0–3 0–2 0–4 0–1 1–0 2–4 1–3 2–0 2–2 0–3 1–4 2–2 0–2 1–2 1–0 3–1 2–3
AFC Dunstable 1–2 1–0 1–0 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–2 5–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–0 3–0 0–2 2–1
F.C. Romania 3–1 1–4 0–1 1–1 0–2 6–1 1–2 1–2 1–3 5–4 3–1 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–4 2–1 3–2 1–0 2–3
Harlow Town 1–1 2–0 1–2 0–1 4–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–3 4–2 0–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 7–0 2–3 3–2
Hertford Town 2–1 2–3 0–3 1–2 1–3 3–2 5–0 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–4 0–4 4–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–2 3–1
Kempston Rovers 2–3 1–1 0–5 1–3 1–1 6–1 2–0 1–2 1–6 0–6 4–3 3–1 1–1 0–3 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–5 0–2
Kidlington 2–5 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–0 1–1 1–1 4–3 0–0 2–5 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–3 3–2 2–2 1–7
North Leigh 4–2 1–2 1–4 0–1 3–2 6–1 3–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–3 1–0 7–0 2–0 3–1 0–3 2–0 0–0 1–1
St Neots Town 3–2 6–2 1–1 1–1 0–0 6–1 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 4–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 2–1 3–4 0–2
Thame United 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–2 1–3 5–2 1–1 1–1 5–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–0
Waltham Abbey 4–3 1–5 2–5 0–1 3–0 3–1 3–3 0–2 3–1 2–1 3–0 4–2 0–0 1–2 1–3 0–3 1–0 1–3 1–1
Wantage Town 1–5 1–1 0–7 1–1 1–3 0–1 0–1 0–0 3–5 0–1 3–3 3–0 2–1 2–4 1–2 1–3 1–3 0–3 1–2
Ware 5–2 1–0 2–3 3–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 1–2 1–1 5–2 5–1 0–0 0–0 4–0 4–1 10–1 0–1
Welwyn Garden City 3–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 5–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–0 6–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 5–3 2–2 1–0
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

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Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC Dunstable Dunstable Creasey Park 3,200
Aylesbury United Aylesbury The Meadow (groundshare with Chesham United) 5,000
Barton Rovers Barton-le-Clay Sharpenhoe Road 4,000
Bedford Town Bedford The Eyrie 3,000
Berkhamsted Berkhamsted Broadwater 2,500
Biggleswade Biggleswade The Eyrie (groundshare with Bedford Town) 3,000
Colney Heath Colney Heath Recreation Ground n/a
Didcot Town Didcot Loop Meadow 3,000
FC Romania Cheshunt Cheshunt Stadium (groundshare with Cheshunt) 3,000
Harlow Town Harlow The Harlow Arena 3,500
Hertford Town Hertford Hertingfordbury Park 6,500
Kempston Rovers Kempston Hillgrounds Leisure 2,000
Kidlington Kidlington Yarnton Road 1,500
North Leigh North Leigh Eynsham Hall Park Sports Ground 2,000
St Neots Town St Neots New Rowley Park 3,500
Thame United Thame Meadow View Park 2,000
Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey Capershotts 3,500
Wantage Town Wantage Alfredian Park 1,500
Ware Ware Wodson Park 3,300
Welwyn Garden City Welwyn Garden City Herns Way 1,000

Division One South

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Southern Football League
Division One South
Season2021–22
ChampionsPlymouth Parkway
PromotedPlymouth Parkway
Winchester City
RelegatedMangotsfield United
Barnstaple Town
Matches played342
Goals scored1,138 (3.33 per match)
Highest attendance1,362
Plymouth Parkway 2–0 Cinderford Town (23 April 2022)
Total attendance82,944
Average attendance243 (+42.1% to previous full season)

After Moneyfields voluntary relegated from the league, Division One South consisted of 19 clubs: 17 clubs from the previous season, and two new clubs:

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Plymouth Parkway 36 26 3 7 92 40 +52 81 Promoted to the Premier Division South
2 Frome Town 36 23 9 4 76 30 +46 78 Qualified for the play-offs[a]
3 Cirencester Town 36 23 8 5 75 29 +46 77 Qualified for the play-offs, then transferred to Division One Central
4 Winchester City 36 21 8 7 93 47 +46 71 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the Premier Division South
5 Bristol Manor Farm 36 20 9 7 64 41 +23 69 Qualified for the play-offs[a]
6 AFC Totton 36 21 5 10 83 37 +46 68
7 Sholing 36 19 6 11 59 36 +23 63
8 Melksham Town 36 15 8 13 56 59 −3 53
9 Paulton Rovers 36 14 7 15 72 61 +11 49
10 Highworth Town 36 12 6 18 41 59 −18 42 Transferred to Division One Central
11 Larkhall Athletic 36 9 12 15 43 48 −5 39
12 Bideford 36 11 6 19 36 55 −19 39
13 Evesham United 36 11 6 19 50 72 −22 39
14 Slimbridge 36 11 5 20 52 83 −31 38
15 Willand Rovers 36 10 7 19 54 62 −8 37
16 Lymington Town 36 9 9 18 51 90 −39 36 Reprieved from the inter-step play-off[b]
17 Cinderford Town 36 8 7 21 54 83 −29 31 Qualified for the inter-step play-off, then reprieved from relegation[c]
18 Mangotsfield United 36 7 6 23 42 91 −49 27 Relegated to the Hellenic League
19 Barnstaple Town 36 7 3 26 45 115 −70 24 Relegated to the Western League
Source: Southern League website, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 3.
  2. ^ Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs.[7]
  3. ^ Contested a one-off play-off match as one of the remaining six third-from-bottom teams against one of six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. The winner rose to Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while the loser dropped to Step 5.[7] Although Cinderford Town lost the inter-step play-off, they were reprieved from relegation due to Walton Casuals' withdrawal from the Southern League in June 2022.[5]

Play-offs

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Semi-finals Final
      
2 Frome Town 1
5 Bristol Manor Farm 3
4 Winchester City 4
5 Bristol Manor Farm 1
3 Cirencester Town 1
4 Winchester City 4

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Frome Town1–3 Bristol Manor Farm Badger Hill, Frome
19:45 (UTC+01:00) O'Loughlin   32' Simpson   33'
Howe   53'
Howe   71'
Attendance: 1,158
26 April 2022 Cirencester Town1–4 (a.e.t.) Winchester City Corinium Stadium, Cirencester
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Grace-Parsons   77' Feeney   59'
Griggs   103'
Smith   109'
Smith   115'
Attendance: 393

Final

2 May 2022 Winchester City 4–1Bristol Manor FarmCharters Community Stadium, Winchester
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Bentley   7'
Feeney   26'
Mlambo   58'
Smith   90+6'
Gosling   70' Attendance: 1,025

Inter-step play-off

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30 April 2022 Cinderford Town1–5 Skelmersdale United Causeway Ground, Cinderford
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Drew   80' Howard   33', 47', 88', 90+3'
Conteh   65'
Attendance: 360

Results

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Home \ Away TOT BAR BID BMF CIN CIR EVE FRO HWT LAR LYM MAN MEL PAU PLY SHO SLI WIL WIN
AFC Totton 0–0 4–2 1–2 4–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 3–1 1–2 7–1 3–0 1–0 2–4 1–0 0–1 0–3 2–0 2–2
Barnstaple Town 1–8 1–0 4–5 0–7 1–5 2–1 1–4 4–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–2 1–5 0–4 0–3 3–2 0–4 2–4
Bideford 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–2 0–2 0–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 1–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 1–2 0–3 2–0 0–4 1–2
Bristol Manor Farm 2–2 3–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–3 4–0 3–0 0–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 4–2 1–0 0–0 2–0 2–2
Cinderford Town 1–8 3–2 1–0 1–2 0–0 1–2 2–3 1–1 1–0 3–3 3–0 1–0 2–4 2–3 1–4 1–2 2–1 2–5
Cirencester Town 2–0 2–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 4–3 3–1 1–0 6–0 0–1 4–2
Evesham United 3–3 3–2 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–3 1–4 4–1 2–0 4–3 2–1 0–1 1–4 3–1 2–2 1–2 1–4 1–5
Frome Town 0–2 9–2 2–0 0–0 5–2 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–3 2–1 1–0 3–2 2–0 3–0 2–0
Highworth Town 0–3 1–0 4–1 1–2 2–1 1–3 5–1 1–0 0–0 1–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 3–3 0–3
Larkhall Athletic 1–2 9–1 0–1 2–2 3–3 0–3 3–3 0–0 1–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–1 0–1 0–3 3–1 1–0 0–2
Lymington Town 0–4 3–2 2–1 1–2 3–2 0–0 3–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–2 0–7 1–4 2–5 2–3 2–2 0–1
Mangotsfield United 0–5 2–2 3–1 0–3 3–1 1–5 3–2 0–2 0–1 1–4 3–1 0–2 2–4 0–6 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–4
Melksham Town 0–1 1–2 2–2 0–4 4–2 1–1 1–3 0–3 2–0 0–0 3–2 3–3 1–0 4–3 1–0 2–1 4–2 2–2
Paulton Rovers 0–0 3–2 1–2 1–3 3–0 1–2 1–2 0–2 2–3 0–0 2–2 1–1 3–0 1–2 1–0 5–1 3–2 0–4
Plymouth Parkway 1–0 4–1 4–0 0–2 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 4–0 1–1 5–1 4–1 6–1 4–1 1–0
Sholing 2–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 4–0 0–0 3–1 4–1 5–0 0–2 0–2 2–1 2–1 2–0
Slimbridge 1–3 3–0 1–0 1–1 3–3 3–2 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–3 3–0 3–5 0–5 3–3 1–3 3–0 2–3 0–4
Willand Rovers 1–4 1–1 1–2 1–2 3–1 0–3 1–0 1–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–0 3–4 1–2 3–0 1–3
Winchester City 3–1 7–1 2–2 5–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 0–0 0–1 2–4 5–1 2–1 3–0 2–2 3–3 3–1 4–0 1–1
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

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Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC Totton Totton Testwood Stadium 3,000
Barnstaple Town Barnstaple Mill Road 5,000
Bideford Bideford The Sports Ground 2,000
Bristol Manor Farm Bristol (Sea Mills) The Creek 2,000
Cinderford Town Cinderford Causeway Ground 3,500
Cirencester Town Cirencester Corinium Stadium 4,500
Evesham United Evesham Jubilee Stadium 3,000
Frome Town Frome Badgers Hill 2,000
Highworth Town Highworth The Elms Recreation Ground 2,000
Larkhall Athletic Bath (Larkhall) The Plain Ham Ground 1,000
Lymington Town Lymington The Sports Ground 1,000
Mangotsfield United Mangotsfield Cossham Street 2,500
Melksham Town Melksham Oakfield Stadium 2,500
Paulton Rovers Paulton Athletic Field 2,500
Plymouth Parkway Plymouth Bolitho Park 3,500
Sholing Sholing Portsmouth Road 1,000
Slimbridge Slimbridge Thornhill Park 1,500
Willand Rovers Willand Silver Street 1,000
Winchester City Winchester The City Ground 4,500

Relegation reprieves

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Step 3

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Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and those placed third-from-bottom that are the top three on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from relegation. The remaining team was relegated to Step 4.[7]

The final points-per-game ranking of the third-from-bottom placed teams in Step 3 divisions was as follows:

Pos Team League Pld Pts PPG Qualification
5 Basford United Northern Premier League Premier Division 42 45 1.071 Retention at Step 3
6 Barwell Southern League Premier Division Central 40 41 1.025
7 Kings Langley Southern League Premier Division South 42 37 0.881
8 Leatherhead Isthmian League Premier Division 42 36 0.857 Relegation to Step 4

Source:[7]

Step 4

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Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs. The FA granted third-placed Sheffield a reprieve after demoting Yorkshire Amateur from the Northern Premier League for non-compliance with Step 4 ground grading requirements.[8] The remaining six teams contested one-off matches with six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. Three winners of their matches stayed at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while three others lost theirs and were relegated to Step 5.[7]

The final points-per-game ranking of the 3rd-from-bottom-placed teams in Step 4 divisions was also as follows:

Pos Team League Pld Pts PPG Qualification
9 Prescot Cables Northern Premier League Division One West 38 39 1.026 Retention at Step 4
10 Lancing Isthmian League South East Division 38 36 0.947 Relegation match with a Step 5 team
11 Sheffield Northern Premier League Division One East 36 33 0.917 Retention at Step 4
12 Witham Town Isthmian League North Division 38 33 0.863 Relegation match with a Step 5 team
13 Cinderford Town Southern League Division One South 36 31 0.861
14 Kempston Rovers Southern League Division One Central 38 29 0.763
15 Histon Northern Premier League Division One Midlands 38 24 0.632
16 Chalfont St Peter Isthmian League South Central Division 36 21 0.583

Source: [7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National League System club allocations – Steps 1 to 4, Season 2021–22" (PDF). The Football Association. 17 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "EXPLAINED: The 2021-22 Non-League restructure". The Non-League Paper. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "[Promotion and relegation for 2021/22]". The Football Association. September 2021. "7 clubs across Step 3 to be reprieved. Reprieves are based on those with the highest PPG, starting with 4th from bottom Clubs, then 3rd from bottom (and so on). As it stands, this would be all four 4th from bottom Clubs and the best three 3rd from bottom Clubs."
  4. ^ a b c d "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
  5. ^ a b Whitney, Steve (10 June 2022). "Changes to League Constitution". Southern Football League. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  6. ^ Metcalfe, Neil (24 April 2022). "Heartbreak for Welwyn Garden City as they are blocked from Southern League play-offs". Welwyn and Hatfield Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Miller, Pete. "Non League 21/22 Promotion and Relegation". Google Docs.
  8. ^ Gordon, James (24 April 2022). "Relegation, Reprieves & Inter-Step Play-Offs". The Pitching In Northern Premier League. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
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