Mystic Socks Predicts...

Once again our beloved Wings are determined to make life as difficult for themselves as possible in crossing the finishing line for a place in Conference South for season 2004/5. Therefore WIE has decided to look into its crystal ball at this weekend's DMPL fixtures in detail to see what lies ahead...

Bath City v Grantham Town
Two clubs struggling to stay out of the bottom four and secure a play-off place but a Conference South position is now probably beyond both these sides. Of course we still have to go to Bath on the last day of the season (hopefully with nothing at stake for either side) so I suppose a draw would be a good outcome for us.
WIE prediction: Home win

Newport County v Cambridge City
A real "six-pointer" in terms of a Conference South berth. Strangely both these sides tend to perform better away from home. Newport looked safe earlier in the season and have games in hand but points in the bag are always much more of an advantage. Cambridge have proved strong defensively but despite signing more strikers than Bob Crow have been struggling at the other end of the pitch.
WIE prediction: Draw

Weymouth v Chelmsford
A few weeks ago this was a top versus bottom encounter with the former going for the title and the latter trying to get out of bottom spot. However Weymouth have fallen apart in recent weeks whilst the Essex Boys have given themselves an outside chance of a play off position. There is nothing much for Weymouth to play for (let's hope so anyway) but I think Claridge & Co. still might prevail in this one.
WIE prediction: Home win

Hednesford Town v Chippenham Town
So the FA Trophy finalists have now sunk to the very foot of the table. It was very surprising to WIE when they beat Aldershot though they haven't been able to replicate their cup heroics in the league. We still have to go there for our penultimate game of the season and I hope that game will be academic for both sides but somehow I doubt it. I've never had much time for Chippenham, mainly due to the antics of their previous manager and they have not repeated their success of last season. A play-off berth looks the only realistic option for these two sides. I think I would plump for am Away win if possible but I have a feeling it won't be.
WIE prediction: Home win

Dover Athletic v Dorchester Town
Despite their well-publicised money troubles, WIE felt that Dover were a certainty for a Conference South position but their recent form is even worse than ours. This fixture still looked like a home banker a few weeks ago but Dorchester are on a roll with four wins out of four and from looking like relegation certainties they are now knocking on the door of Conference South. With only three each to play, this looks like a must win game for both sides.
WIE prediction: Home win

Nuneaton Borough v Crawley Town
This game is probably the only one with no bearing on Conference South or relegation. Well done (there I've said it) to Creepy on their title success but did they really have to seal it on our own patch! I expected a bit more from Nuneaton pre-season although I wasn't aware of their financial difficulties. End of season fare here but WIE thinks the bandwagon might still have something left in the tank.
WIE prediction: Away win

Hinckley United v Havant & Waterlooville
I have been expecting Hinckley to fall over the finish line for a few weeks now but they haven't quite managed it yet. Havant, rather like Dover, were most people's tip for a Conference South slot but all looked lost up until a couple of weeks ago. They are finishing the season in some style and have one of the best strike forces in the league. They will have to do it "on the road" but have they hit form just in time?
WIE prediction: Draw

Moor Green v Merthyr Tydfil
Another "six-pointer" between two sides looking for that vital top 13 finish. The Moors have been hovering in mid-table for some time without quite being able to string a sequence of results together. Merthyr were one of the form sides in the DMPL recently but slipped up a little over the Easter period. They have a game in hand on the home side but a decisive result either way in this game could spell trouble for the losers
WIE prediction: Away win

Weston-super-Mare v Stafford Rangers
Weston looked like play-off contenders at best until maximum points over Easter put them in contention for Conference South. A lot depends on the visitors in this one and just how motivated they are for the rest of the season. They now have a realistic chance of finishing runners-up and have the firepower to win this one but will it just be a day out at the seaside for them?
WIE prediction: Draw

Worcester City v Eastbourne Borough
Rather like Stafford a lot depends on the attitude of the home players in this game. Worcester are capable of beating anyone on their day but they seem to already have one eye on their summer holidays. Eastbourne have acquitted themselves well this season and have enjoyed some good results on their travels. WIE would really like a home victory in this one but we may not get our wish.
WIE prediction: Draw

Tiverton Town v Under-achievers United
Last but not least yet another "six-pointer" in a weekend full of them. Tivvy have lost only twice at home this season but over half their home league games have ended in draws. With only three games left they will surely view this as a must win game. UAU looked home and dry for a Conference South place at the end of February but, true to form, they have staggered from one game to the next without conviction. Will it be the team that folded at Merthyr and Weston or the side that triumphed at Weymouth?
WIE prediction: Draw (with my optimistic hat on!)

White Socks