The penultimate run-in piece from Finn Honeywood concentrates on the Isthmian Premier Division ahead of another big weekend of games:

The final three games of the 2024/25 Isthmian League Premier Division season hold major consequences at both ends of the table for several of our Sussex representatives.

Horsham trail league leaders Dartford by only two points, while Chichester City remain in hot pursuit of a play-off place. At the bottom of the table, Hastings United and Bognor Regis Town will need monumental efforts, and favours from elsewhere, to keep alive their hopes of staying in the division.

After winning their opening five games of the season, Lewes looked to have established themselves as early promotion candidates upon Craig Nelson’s arrival at the Dripping Pan. However, the Rooks were unable to sustain their dominant form to start the campaign, ending 2024 in 10^th and six points adrift of the play-offs. With a midtable finish on the cards, Lewes will now prepare for life after Nelson, who will join National League South side Tonbridge Angels at the end of the season.

At the time of Shaun Saunders’ return to Whitehawk in late November, the Hawks sat at the foot of  the Isthmian Premier Division table having won just three of their first 17 league games. Saunders, who earned promotion to the Premier Division with Whitehawk in 2022/23, has steered the club to safety with three games to spare, ensuring the Enclosed Ground will host Step 3 football for another year.

The Title Race – Horsham: 3^rd, 78pts, +33 goal difference

Coming off the club’s highest ever league finish of fifth in last year’s Isthmian Premier campaign, which ended in play-off semi-final defeat to Chatham Town, Horsham are even better placed this time around to make the step up to National League South. The Hornets’ form since the new year has elevated them from play-off contenders to title hopefuls, heading into the final three games following five straight league wins.

First up for Horsham on Good Friday, the visit of 12^th placed Cray Wanderers to the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium, followed by a trip to Bognor on Easter Monday. The Hornets will end their league season hosting Hashtag United (7^th, 62pts), whose play-off aspirations have all but fizzled out barring a near-perfect end to the season.

Ahead of Horsham are Dartford on 80 points and Billericay with 78 (+34GD). Based on opponents’ positions, Billericay have the kindest run-in on paper, taking on Folkestone Invicta (13^th), Canvey Island (17^th) and Cheshunt (15^th). For Dartford, the visit of 4^th placed Dover Athletic on Good Friday kicks of their final run-in, before facing Cray Wanderers and Carshalton Athletic in their bid to keep hold of top spot.

While Dom Di Paola’s legacy in Horsham is already cemented with promotions, cup wins and fairytale FA Cup-runs on his resume, it remains to be seen whether he can go one step further by taking the club to the National League South for the first time in their history.

The Play-off Hunt – Chichester City: 6^th, 67pts, +10 goal difference

After Chichester City faced what manager Miles Rutherford described as a ‘relegation fight’ in mid-December, the Lillywhites have turned their season entirely on its head. A relentless run of form from late December through to the start of February saw Chichester skyrocket up the Isthmian Premier standings, winning eight out of nine games in that period. Recent form has continued to help them on their way to play-off contention six wins in their last ten, including a 1-0 win over an equally-resurgent Chatham Town in their last outing.

Last year’s Isthmian South East play-off winners must close a four-point gap between them and current fifth-place occupiers Cray Valley Paper Mills, who also hold a favourable +11 advantage in their goal difference. Chichester’s run-in begins with a home tie against Cheshunt on Good Friday, before heading to East Brighton to play Whitehawk (16th) on Easter Monday. Rutherford’s side end their season with a potential blockbuster matchup again 4^th placed Dover, who they could still catch if results go their way.

The Drop Zone – Hastings United (20^th) and Bognor Regis Town (21^st)

Two sides who find themselves in equal amounts of trouble; Hastings and Bognor are both eight points from safety with three games remaining. The pair share equals records from their seasons so far, with eight wins and eight draws to show from 39 games.

Hastings, who finished 7th last season under now-Worthing boss Chris Agutter, have been unable to follow up on the campaign this time around, with Agutter’s replacement Danny Bloor leaving his post after just 11 league matches. Followed by Danny Searle’s arrival in December and subsequent departure at the end of March, the ‘U’s’ faltering search for stability has put them at serious risk of relegation this term.

For Bognor, back-to-back wins over Potters Bar and Dulwich Hamlet have breathed new life into their survival effort, which looked bleak at the start of the calendar year with the Rocks ten points from safety at the bottom of the league. It would still take a gargantuan effort from Jamie Howell and Michael Birmingham to turn Bognor’s hopes of safety into reality, with the club facing the threat of a first return to Step 4 since 2011/12.

Bognor travel to Wingate & Finchley this weekend before hosting Horsham on Easter Monday. The Rocks’ final day sees them take on 19^th placed Hendon, who currently find themselves six points short of 18^th placed Dulwich Hamlet in the last relegation spot.

Hastings’ final run-in starts at home to Hashtag United on Saturday, before heading to Kent to face Dover Athletic on Monday. United will end their season at home to Potters Bar Town (14^th).