At the turn of the year it appeared that the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division was all done and dusted as far as winning it was concerned.

However, it has all changed now and there are just seven points between first and fourth going into the last few games.

Leaders, Erith and Belvedere, looked to have it sewn up but had a rough patch from the start of February in which they picked up just one victory in seven games. New manager Matt Longhurst has overhauled the squad and they have won two and drawn one of their last three, the most recent being a five-one win at Rusthall. They host Bearstead on Saturday.

That rough patch has allowed the three clubs in the chasing pack to close in led by Phoenix Sports.

They have won eleven and drawn four since their last defeat back in January. Their latest win was an impressive four-one victory at Tunbridge Wells and they visit Stansfeld in their next game hoping to close the four point gap.

Two other teams have hopes of finishing in the top two and they meet at the Erith Leisure Centre with Erith Town hosting Deal Town. The Dockers won three-two against Kennington on Wednesday but had to hold on having been three-nil up through a Harry Taylor hat-trick.

Steve King’s Deal Town are the only team in the top four who aren’t based in Bexley Borough.

They have won eleven and drawn five since their last defeat at the start of January. They beat Fisher two-one on Tuesday night to keep themselves in the hunt.

The top two have five matches each left to play, whilst the other two have four games left. Nothing will be decided on Saturday, but with all four clubs in action again on Easter Monday, there may be more of a clue on which team are likely to be crowned champions, and who will claim the play-off place on offer to the runners-up once the long weekend games have been completed.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.