Vanarama National League South Season Review

Back in August, there was of course no sign of what was in front of us. Little did we know back then how things would play out on and off the pitch in the months ahead.

With many of the sides strengthening well, the message appeared to be clear - the top prizes were up for grabs.

Few knew with any air of authority where the title was heading, but fewer still could predict how it would eventually be won.

The curtain came down early, the season paling into insignificance compared to what was going on globally but before it we had some moment to remember.

Things were really getting going but ultimately it was to be Wealdstone celebrating - even if it was not how they imagined they would be doing it.

Goals were the order of the day on the first day of the season. Hemel Hempstead Town kicked off things in style under Sammy Moore with an emphatic 4-1 win over Hungerford Town.

Chelmsford City dispatched Hampton & Richmond Borough by the same scoreline, while Weymouth announced themselves by beating fancied full-timers Maidstone United.

Wealdstone didn’t go about their business quietly - they hammered Dartford 4-1 to give clues to the challenge ahead.

Dean Brennan’s Stones indeed ended August five points clear of the rest as they raced out of the starting blocks.

You may not have got long odds on the first managerial exit coming at Billericay Town.
In the middle of September Harry Wheeler had a deja vu - he left the club after a slow start, the second time he exited the Essex side.

A lot was expected of Slough Town this time around but a difficult first eight games left them off the pace.

That changed in September, wins over Hemel Hempstead, Eastbourne Borough, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Dartford rubbished the Rebels’ slow start.

But everyone was still impressed by Wealdstone, winners in ten of their first twelve games.
Dartford were not expecting such a disastrous first few months. It was time for change as Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan moved on.

Steve King said yes when the board asked - but he had a warning when he was back in work in October.

King told fans to forget about a promotion push of any kind. “We’re looking to stay up, build for next season and have a go then,” he insisted.

Oxford City hadn’t made the start they wanted, and manager Mark Jones said his goodbyes with the club second from bottom.

It just didn’t work out for Lee Bradbury at Eastbourne Borough, either. With the Sports in 16th, he departed Priory Lane - Danny Bloor eventually asked to try and turn their season around.

Mark Collier was October’s Manager of the Month recipient, Chippenham unbeaten in a month that saw them triumph over Slough Town, Whyteleafe and Concord Rangers.

Though it couldn’t inspire them to an FA Cup victory over League Two Northampton Town.
By the end of November, things were starting to take shape.

Wealdstone’s lead was six points, but below was a cluster of clubs. Weymouth continued to defy expectation and sat in second, with Slough, Havant and Bath City all in sight.

Braintree began to slide though - and Glen Driver resigned. He wasn’t there for long but Slough’s joint managers are still going strong.

Neil Baker and Jon Underwood took charge of their 500 Rebels game together proving two heads really are better than one.

Paul Doswell was named Manager of the Month - Havant winning three of their four National League South matches as they also progressed in the FA Trophy.

But as they will always tell you, a busy December is often the month you separate the men from the boys.

The leaders’ fantastic home run continued - but after losing at Slough over Christmas, they lost a great chance to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

Dorking were on the climb and ended 2019 in second place, wins over Weymouth, Chippenham Town, Eastbourne Borough and John Still’s Maidstone signing off the year in style.

When you’ve won 11 promotions since 1999, was there really any chance the newcomers would be happy with a season of simple consolidation?

“The players have taken to the step up superby,” said decorated manager Marc White. “Now we’ll see where it can take us.”

The New Year brought a return to the division for Bradley Quinton - and the former promotion winner quickly turned things around at Park View Road as Welling began to climb.

Wealdstone said ‘catch us if you can’ as they blitzed promotion rivals Bath City 7-0 on January 24th.

The Stones were seven points clear with three months to go and already looking a very good bet for the title.

It was looking bleak for bottom club Hungerford, but St Albans were surprise strugglers - too close to comfort for the bottom two.

But there were only good vibes at Dartford, manager Steve King’s suggested promotion was out of the question and that was looking a hasty call, his team were into the play-off places at the end of January and he was the first top boss of 2020.

But Rod Stringer was out of the work, parting company with Chelmsford City after four years in the job.

In February, form sides Wealdstone and Dartford met - and there was much excitement.
But the big game didn’t quite live up to its billing as they drew 0-0 at Princes Park. The point kept the Stones six points clear, and they had a game in hand.

Hampton were in the rise, Gary McCann took the Manager of the Month prize while former Beaver Joe Turner’s form kept Tonbridge Angels on course for survival - he was February’s top player.

Havant were starting to turn the screw but the promotion race was brought to a shuddering halt.

Twists and turns were expected but events across the world soon put football firmly in its place.

The Covid-19 outbreak paused the game as sport was put on the backburner, the global pandemic ultimately cutting the Vanarama National League South season short.

Eventually after a vote by member clubs it was to be decided the season 2019-20 will be concluded with final league tables compiled on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis.

That meant Wealdstone were the winners - with Slough Town, Dorking Wanderers, Weymouth, Bath City, Havant and Dartford all fighting it out in play-offs.

They finally arrived in July as football returned. Dartford sunk Slough 3-0, while Dorking won at Bath in the Eliminators.

Steve King’s Darts made the final after Havant paid the price for their semi-final red card while Weymouth halted Dorking’s relentless upward charge.

King’s lack of play-off luck ultimately came back to haunt him and it was the Terras who secured a second straight promotion after Dartford’s disaster from the penalty spot.

Weymouth return to the National League 11 years after leaving and manager Mark Molesley said: “We proved the doubters wrong.”