With just over a month remaining in the football season, time is running out for Kent’s clubs to make a final push. Some will be looking to help their cause this weekend.

Three local sides currently occupy the top three place outside the play-off places in the National League. Dover Athletic have the chance to force their way back into the top seven this weekend when they host Struggling Torquay United at Crabble.

Just for points behind the Whites are Ebbsfleet United, who beat the coastal club on Easter Monday. Daryl McMahon’s side will be part of the televised early kick off this weekend when Macclesfield travel to Stonebridge Road to play in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Despite their tenth placed position, play-off football is looking less and less likely for Bromley. The FA Trophy finalists are now six points adrift of the top seven positions. They’ll look to keep up the pressure on Saturday as they host Gateshead, who they beat last month to reach the May final at Wembley.

Further down the table, Maidstone United are currently looking to remain out of a late relegation scrap. They sit five points outside the bottom four places and will be hoping to win at fellow strugglers Guiseley to improve their chances of safety.

The race to get into the same division as the non-league elite is well and truly on in the National League South. Dartford remain in with a chance of finishing top thanks to their game in hand over first placed Havant and Waterlooville. They currently sit three points adrift of the Hampshire club but can close the gap at home to Western Super Mare this weekend.

Welling United, the other Kent side in the second tier, are also pushing for promotion. They sit in the final play-off place going into the weekend but come out of it as high as fifth if they can beat the leaders at Park View Road.

In the Bostik Premier, there are still two sides looking for promotion as well. With Billericay and Dulwich Hamlet having games in hand, it is down to Margate and Folkestone Invicta to gain access to the National League South via the play-offs. Invicta, who currently sit in third place host Leiston on Saturday whilst Margate, who occupy the final play-off place, welcome Harlow Town to Thanet.

Mid table Tonbridge Angels are also in action at Tooting and Mitcham United.

Games in hand could also be an aspect that Cray Wanderers of the Bostik South are needing to consider. Following a hugely impressive start to the season, the North Kent club have dropped away from the division’s elite. They now sit in fourth and have played more that each of the top nine clubs this year. They’ll be hoping to keep the pressure on the automatic promotion spaces when they make the short trip to VCD Athletic on Saturday.

Elsewhere in the league, Hythe Town – who sit just outside the play-offs- travel to Greenwich Borough and Herne Bay travel to Shoreham.

There’s an all Kent fixture at the Shepherd Neame Stadium where Faversham Town host Thamesmead Town whilst Sittingbourne host Molesey. Ashford United’s away game at Whyteleafe brings the games in the top four divisions of non-league football to an end.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.