Starting on Monday evening, Finn Honeywood takes a look at the run-in for all of our five divisions, starting with the Southern Combination Division One:
It’s all to play for in SCFL Division One, with top spot and play-off positions all up for grabs as another season draws to a close. With only a few points separating each of the teams involved in their respective dogfights, expect plenty of drama as we find out who will be making the step up come the end of the 2024/25 season.
The Title Race
The fight for top spot in SCFL Division One looks set to go down to the wire, with three teams remaining in contention for the solitary automatic promotion spot. Seaford Town and Forest Row have remained the frontrunners for the title since the start of the season, while Godalming Town’s remarkable form since the turn of the new year has landed them firmly in the conversation with only three games remaining.
Seaford Town (1st, 78pts, +58) headed into this season with a chip on their shoulder after suffering play-off final heartbreak at the hands of Wick last term. Seaford started this season in statement fashion, winning eight of their first ten as Paul Wise’s side put themselves amongst the early favourites for promotion. The addition of Hayden Beaconsfield from Eastbourne United has bolstered Seaford’s attacking output with 18 league goals in his first season at The Crouch.
Coming off a 14th place finish in last season’s Division One campaign, Forest Row (2nd, 76pts, +54) have been consistently impressive throughout the course of 2024/25. Prior to the start of April, Grant Hearn and Andy Willis’ team failed to go more than two league games without victory. At the time of writing, Frow are the only side in the league to have five players reach a double-digit goal tally this season, with former Crawley Down Gatwick striker Harvey Burgess leading the way with 16.
Both Seaford and Forest Row have had blips in recent weeks, however, which helps lend Godalming Town (3rd, 73pts, +38)their case for still being in the hunt for top spot. In Mo Sher’s return to the club after a year and a half at Guildford City, the G’s have lost the least amount of games and conceded the fewest goals in the league this season. Having played 15 games in 2025, Godalming have been the best team in the division in that stretch, winning eleven while losing just twice.
On paper, Seaford have the kindest run-in out of the three, with Mile Oak (13th) being the highest-placed side they’ll take on in the final three games. Forest Row and Godalming share almost identical endings to the season in terms of opposition; both face the tough test of 4th placed Dorking Wanderers B* and play-off chasing AFC Uckfield Town, whilst having favourable games against relegation-threatened sides Montpelier Villa and Alfold respectively.
*Dorking Wanderers B are ineligible for promotion past Step 6, thereby finishing in the top five would mean another play-off spot becomes available.
The Play-Off Hunt
It’s not just the title race that will come down to a photo finish in SCFL Division One. Five teams remain in the running to secure two available play-off spots, with Worthing United, Chessington & Hook United, Arundel, Infinity and Uckfield all positioned for battle in their bids for promotion.
Worthing Utd, Chessington and Arundel sit on 59 points from fifth to seventh, with Worthing United’s double-digit goal difference swing keeping them ahead of their rivals. Craig Stuart’s Arundel were 16th this time last month, but an exceptional run of form has shot the Mullets up the table, winning eight of their last nine including victories over Forest Row and Dorking B. Chessington head into the run-in with equally high spirits; a 2-1 loss to Seaford two months ago was the last time Glynn Stephens’ side tasted defeat.
Infinity (8th, 58pts) have made a big impression since moving across from the Hampshire/Wessex League circuit at the start of this season, with the Sidlesham-based side being the only team in the league to have not been defeated by any of the current top three. Amidst a wave of turbulence off the field this season, AFC Uckfield Town (9th, 56pts) remain in with a chance of bouncing straight back up to the SCFL Premier Division following relegation last year.
Apart from Arundel, each of the play-off hopefuls have a game in-hand to play on Tuesday (15/04) night. A win for Uckfield over Alfold would put them level on points with Arundel, while Chessington host Worthing United in a massive play-off six pointer at Chalky Lane.