The 2021–22 Southern Football League season was the 119th in the history of the Southern League since its establishment in 1894. The league had two Premier divisions (Central and South) at Step 3 of the National League System (NLS) and two Division One divisions (Central and South) at Step 4. These correspond to levels 7 and 8 of the English football league system.

The allocations for Step 4 this season were announced by The Football Association (FA) on 17 May 2021.[1]

The scheduled restructuring of the non-League system took place at the end of the 2020–21 season and a new division was added to the Northern Premier League at Step 4 for 2021–22,[2] which resulted in some reallocations into or out of, and promotions to, the Southern League's Step 4 divisions.[2]

Premier Division Central

Southern Football League
Premier Division Central
Season2021–22
ChampionsBanbury United
PromotedBanbury United
Peterborough Sports
RelegatedBiggleswade United
Lowestoft Town
Matches played420
Goals scored1,271 (3.03 per match)
Highest attendance1,835
Banbury United 1–1 Tamworth (2 April 2022)
Total attendance178,706
Average attendance425 (+18.4% to previous full season)

After Kings Langley were transferred to the Premier Division South, The Premier Division Central consisted of 21 clubs, all from the previous aborted season.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Banbury United 40 32 6 2 92 32 +60 102 Promoted to the National League North
2 Peterborough Sports 40 24 7 9 94 46 +48 79 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the National League North[lower-alpha 1]
3 Coalville Town 40 23 9 8 86 47 +39 78 Qualified for the play-offs
4 Rushall Olympic 40 20 9 11 80 54 +26 69
5 Alvechurch 40 18 11 11 57 41 +16 65
6 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 40 19 8 13 57 49 +8 65
7 Leiston 40 18 6 16 59 65 −6 60
8 Royston Town 40 17 8 15 65 51 +14 59
9 Hednesford Town 40 14 12 14 66 64 +2 54
10 Tamworth 40 14 12 14 58 58 0 54
11 Stourbridge 40 15 8 17 61 71 −10 53
12 Needham Market 40 12 13 15 66 69 −3 49
13 Stratford Town 40 13 8 19 48 70 −22 47
14 St Ives Town 40 13 8 19 57 90 −33 47
15 Redditch United 40 11 12 17 38 50 −12 45
16 Nuneaton Borough 40 11 10 19 51 62 −11 42[lower-alpha 2]
17 Hitchin Town 40 11 9 20 47 58 −11 42
18 Bromsgrove Sporting 40 10 12 18 36 59 −23 42 Reprieve from relegation[lower-alpha 3]
19 Barwell 40 10 11 19 57 78 −21 41
20 Biggleswade Town 40 7 13 20 47 64 −17 34 Relegated to Division One Central
21 Lowestoft Town 40 9 6 25 49 93 −44 33 Relegated to Isthmian League North Division
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 2.
  2. ↑ Nuneaton Borough were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player.
  3. ↑ Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and three that are placed third-from-bottom and has the most points per game (PPG), were reprieved.[3]

Play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
2 Peterborough Sports 2
5 Alvechurch 1
2 Peterborough Sports 2
3 Coalville Town 0
3 Coalville Town 3
4 Rushall Olympic 0

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Peterborough Sports 2–1AlvechurchBee Arena, Peterborough
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Fryatt 46'
McCammon 53'		 Clayton-Phillips 69' Attendance: 741
26 April 2022 Coalville Town 3–0Rushall OlympicMander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium, Coalville
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Putman 10'
Waite 18' (pen)
Waite 84'		 Attendance: 1,223

Final

2 May 2022 Peterborough Sports 2–0Coalville TownBee Arena, Peterborough
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Jones 10'
McCammon 58'		 Attendance: 1,895

Results

Home \ Away RUD ALV BAN BAR BIG BRO COA HED HIT LEI LOW NEE NUN PSP RED ROY RUS STI STO STR TAM
AFC Rushden & Diamonds — 1–2 0–2 0–1 0–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 2–1 3–3 3–1 2–0 0–1 0–1 1–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–3 2–2
Alvechurch 1–2 — 0–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 0–2 3–1 1–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 5–1 2–1 2–1
Banbury United 2–0 2–1 — 3–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 3–2 3–0 3–3 1–0 2–1 1–2 2–0 1–0 5–1 1–1 1–0 1–1
Barwell 1–2 1–1 2–6 — 1–0 2–3 1–0 3–4 2–1 2–0 1–4 2–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–1 0–0 4–5 0–1 4–0 0–1
Biggleswade Town 0–0 1–1 0–2 7–0 — 0–0 2–2 0–2 0–0 3–2 2–1 5–1 1–1 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–1 3–2 1–3 7–1 2–2
Bromsgrove Sporting 2–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–1 — 0–1 2–1 1–0 0–4 3–1 1–0 0–1 0–4 1–0 1–2 2–4 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–1
Coalville Town 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 4–0 — 0–0 2–1 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–1 6–2 2–0 2–3 3–0 3–0 3–0 3–1 4–0
Hednesford Town 2–3 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 — 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–1 3–2 3–0 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–1 3–1 1–2 2–3
Hitchin Town 1–2 0–1 0–2 3–2 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 — 4–1 3–2 1–6 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 0–3 0–1 1–1
Leiston 2–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–3 2–1 2–1 — 4–2 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–4 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1
Lowestoft Town 2–3 3–2 1–3 0–3 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 3–5 — 0–1 0–3 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–1
Needham Market 2–2 1–1 1–4 2–2 3–0 0–1 0–1 3–3 3–1 3–0 4–0 — 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–3 4–1 1–0
Nuneaton Borough 0–1 2–2 0–0 0–2 3–3 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 — 1–4 0–1 0–2 0–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–0
Peterborough Sports 2–1 0–1 2–3 3–1 3–0 2–2 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–2 5–0 3–0 4–0 — 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–0 8–4 1–1 2–0
Redditch United 1–3 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–4 1–1 2–1 0–1 4–2 0–0 1–3 0–1 — 2–3 1–1 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–2
Royston Town 1–2 0–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 0–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–2 4–0 3–3 2–0 1–2 1–0 — 2–3 1–1 1–2 3–0 3–0
Rushall Olympic 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 5–1 1–1 2–2 0–3 3–1 4–1 2–1 1–4 2–2 0–1 — 3–1 4–0 4–1 1–2
St Ives Town 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 2–3 2–4 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–7 2–1 1–7 3–2 — 1–4 0–4 1–2
Stourbridge 1–1 0–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–3 1–2 0–4 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–6 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–1 1–3 — 4–2 4–0
Stratford Town 1–2 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–3 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–2 2–3 4–2 2–5 2–1 3–0 0–3 0–3 1–0 — 1–0
Tamworth 0–1 1–1 0–4 6–0 3–1 1–0 1–1 3–3 0–0 1–3 6–1 5–2 3–0 0–2 1–0 2–0 0–4 1–1 4–0 0–2 —
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC Rushden & DiamondsRushdenHayden Road2,000
AlvechurchAlvechurchLye Meadow3,000
Banbury UnitedBanburySpencer Stadium2,000
BarwellBarwellKirkby Road2,500
Biggleswade TownBiggleswadeLangford Road3,000
Bromsgrove SportingBromsgroveVictoria Ground4,893
Coalville TownCoalvilleOwen Street Sports Ground2,000
Hednesford TownHednesfordKeys Park6,039
Hitchin TownHitchinTop Field4,554
LeistonLeistonVictory Road2,250
Lowestoft TownLowestoftCrown Meadow3,000
Needham MarketNeedham MarketBloomfields4,000
Nuneaton BoroughNuneatonLiberty Way4,614
Peterborough SportsPeterboroughLincoln Road2,300
Redditch UnitedRedditchThe Valley5,000
Royston TownRoystonGarden Walk5,000
Rushall OlympicWalsall (Rushall)Dales Lane2,000
St Ives TownSt IvesWestwood Road2,000
StourbridgeStourbridgeWar Memorial Athletic Ground2,626
Stratford TownStratford-upon-AvonKnights Lane2,000
TamworthTamworthThe Lamb Ground4,565

Premier Division South

Southern Football League
Premier Division South
Season2021–22
ChampionsTaunton Town
PromotedTaunton Town
Farnborough
RelegatedWimborne Town
Matches played462
Goals scored1,391 (3.01 per match)
Highest attendance2,303
Taunton Town 2–1 Farnborough (23 April 2022)
Total attendance162,690
Average attendance352 (+4.1% to previous full season)

The Premier Division consisted of 22 clubs: 20 clubs from the previous season, and two new clubs:

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Taunton Town 42 28 7 7 83 42 +41 91 Promoted to the National League South
2 Hayes & Yeading United 42 26 8 8 100 39 +61 86 Qualified for the play-offs
3 Farnborough 42 26 7 9 73 44 +29 85 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the National League South[lower-alpha 1]
4 Metropolitan Police 42 24 9 9 72 46 +26 81 Qualified for the play-offs
5 Weston-super-Mare 42 23 9 10 72 41 +31 78
6 Chesham United 42 22 11 9 80 50 +30 77
7 Yate Town 42 21 9 12 66 48 +18 72
8 Truro City 42 20 10 12 62 54 +8 70
9 Gosport Borough 42 19 9 14 65 56 +9 66
10 Poole Town 42 19 7 16 74 69 +5 64
11 Walton Casuals 42 16 10 16 53 61 −8 58 Club folded
12 Swindon Supermarine 42 16 9 17 63 63 0 57
13 Tiverton Town 42 15 8 19 61 63 −2 53
14 Harrow Borough 42 15 7 20 62 77 −15 52
15 Salisbury 42 13 9 20 49 75 −26 48
16 Hendon 42 14 5 23 58 70 −12 47
17 Beaconsfield Town 42 13 7 22 70 92 −22 46
18 Hartley Wintney 42 13 5 24 56 75 −19 44
19 Dorchester Town 42 12 5 25 41 58 −17 41 Reprieved from relegation[lower-alpha 2]
20 Kings Langley 42 9 10 23 49 68 −19 37 Reprieved from relegation, then transferred to the Premier Division Central
21 Merthyr Town 42 6 8 28 47 94 −47 26 Reprieved from relegation[lower-alpha 3]
22 Wimborne Town 42 4 7 31 35 106 −71 19 Relegated to Division One South
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 2.
  2. ↑ Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and three that are placed third-from-bottom and has the most points per game (PPG), were reprieved.[3]
  3. ↑ Merthyr Town were reprieved from relegation following the withdrawal of Walton Casuals from the Southern League in June 2022.[5]

Play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
2 Hayes & Yeading United 2
5 Weston-Super-Mare 1
2 Hayes & Yeading United 1
3 Farnborough 2
3 Farnborough 2
4 Metropolitan Police 1

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Hayes & Yeading United 2–1Weston-Super-MareSkyex Community Stadium, London
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Rowe 19'
Emmanuel 58'		 King 88' Attendance: 607
26 April 2022 Farnborough 2–1Metropolitan PoliceEasy as HGV Stadium, Farnborough
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Fearn 90'
Parker 96'		 Alves 85' Attendance: 947

Final

2 May 2022 Hayes & Yeading United1–2 Farnborough Skyex Community Stadium, London
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Emmanuel 13' Parker 45'
Deering 86'		 Attendance: 1,600

Results

Home \ Away BEA CHE DOR FAR GOS HAB HAR HAY HEN KLL MER MET POO SAL SWI TAU TIV TRU WAL WES WIM YAT
Beaconsfield Town — 2–2 2–0 1–2 7–2 6–1 1–0 0–2 2–2 1–0 3–4 2–2 2–1 3–3 5–1 0–1 3–5 1–2 2–4 1–2 2–2 0–4
Chesham United 2–2 — 5–1 1–3 4–2 0–0 4–2 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–1 3–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 5–0 1–0
Dorchester Town 1–2 1–2 — 1–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 0–1 3–0 2–0 1–3 0–1 1–4 0–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 3–0 0–1
Farnborough 2–0 1–0 1–0 — 3–1 1–3 2–0 0–0 3–0 4–1 3–2 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 4–1 1–2
Gosport Borough 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–0 — 3–1 1–3 0–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–2 4–3 1–0 1–3 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 1–3 2–0 2–1
Harrow Borough 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–2 1–0 — 2–1 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–0 2–2 3–2 3–2 6–3 0–0 1–0 2–0 1–2
Hartley Wintney 1–4 0–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 0–3 — 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–3 1–0 1–2 0–1 4–1 2–1 1–2 2–0 2–2
Hayes & Yeading United 2–1 2–0 3–0 4–2 1–1 4–2 6–1 — 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–2 6–1 2–0 3–0 2–1 2–3 1–0 0–1 1–2 8–1 4–0
Hendon 2–0 0–3 1–3 0–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–6 — 0–2 6–0 3–0 3–2 2–3 1–0 2–0 1–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–2
Kings Langley 0–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 0–0 0–2 5–0 2–1 4–2 — 1–1 2–3 3–0 1–2 1–2 1–1 3–3 0–1 0–1 0–1 4–0 0–1
Merthyr Town 4–0 0–3 1–1 2–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 0–5 0–2 0–1 — 2–3 0–3 5–0 1–3 0–3 1–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–3
Metropolitan Police 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 — 1–1 0–0 3–1 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–2 3–0 2–2 1–0
Poole Town 2–0 0–0 1–0 1–3 2–1 3–0 2–1 1–4 2–1 6–2 2–0 5–2 — 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–4 1–0 0–3 3–1 0–2
Salisbury 1–2 1–2 0–1 1–0 0–5 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 — 4–2 1–2 0–3 1–3 2–1 0–0 0–2 1–1
Swindon Supermarine 2–2 2–1 1–0 5–2 0–0 2–4 3–2 0–4 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 — 0–1 2–0 0–1 6–1 2–1 3–1 1–3
Taunton Town 7–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 7–1 2–1 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 — 3–1 2–1 3–0 3–2 3–1 2–1
Tiverton Town 5–1 0–0 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 4–1 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 — 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–0 0–1
Truro City 0–1 4–1 1–0 2–2 1–2 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–4 0–0 3–1 1–0 3–0 1–3 1–1 1–0 2–0 — 2–0 0–4 2–1 0–0
Walton Casuals 3–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 2–1 4–3 3–2 2–1 4–0 1–1 0–5 2–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–1 — 1–0 2–2 0–3
Weston-super-Mare 2–1 3–1 1–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 1–3 1–1 6–0 3–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–1 — 2–0 1–2
Wimborne Town 1–3 1–2 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–4 1–0 1–4 1–4 3–3 1–1 0–2 2–4 0–1 1–2 1–4 1–0 3–4 0–0 0–4 — 0–5
Yate Town 4–0 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 2–1 1–3 0–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–1 5–2 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–0 —
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

Greater London and environ Premier Division South clubs
Club Location Stadium Capacity
Beaconsfield TownBeaconsfieldHolloways Park3,500
Chesham UnitedCheshamThe Meadow5,000
Dorchester TownDorchesterThe Avenue Stadium5,000
FarnboroughFarnboroughCherrywood Road7,000
Gosport BoroughGosportPrivett Park4,500
Harrow BoroughHarrowEarlsmead Stadium3,000
Hartley WintneyHartley WintneyThe Memorial Playing Fields2,000
Hayes & Yeading UnitedHayes, HillingdonSkyEx Community Stadium3,000
HendonHendonSilver Jubilee Park2,000
Kings LangleyKings LangleySadiku Stadium1,963
Merthyr TownMerthyr TydfilPenydarren Park4,000
Metropolitan PoliceEast MoleseyImber Court3,000
Poole TownPooleTatnam Ground2,500
SalisburySalisburyRaymond McEnhill Stadium5,000
Swindon SupermarineSwindon (South Marston)Hunts Copse Ground3,000
Taunton TownTauntonWordsworth Drive2,500
Tiverton TownTivertonLadysmead3,500
Truro CityPlymouthBolitho Park (groundshare with Plymouth Parkway)3,500
Walton CasualsWalton-on-ThamesElmbridge Sports Hub2,500
Weston-super-MareWeston-super-MareWoodspring Stadium3,500
Wimborne TownWimborne MinsterThe Cuthbury3,000
Yate TownYateLodge Road2,000

Division One Central

Southern Football League
Division One Central
Season2021–22
ChampionsBedford Town
PromotedBedford Town
North Leigh
RelegatedColney Heath
Wantage Town
Matches played380
Goals scored1,244 (3.27 per match)
Highest attendance1,254
Bedford Town 2–0 Berkhamsted (29 January 2022)
Total attendance68,899
Average attendance181 (-4.2% to previous full season)

Division One Central consisted of 20 clubs: 14 clubs from the previous season, and six new clubs.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Bedford Town 38 28 7 3 100 28 +72 91 Promoted to the Premier Division Central
2 Berkhamsted 38 24 9 5 64 29 +35 81 Qualified for the play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
3 AFC Dunstable 38 21 10 7 64 33 +31 73
4 Ware 38 21 8 9 90 47 +43 71
5 Welwyn Garden City 38 21 8 9 80 48 +32 71 Excluded from the play-offs[lower-alpha 2]
6 North Leigh 38 19 11 8 69 42 +27 68 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the Premier Division South
7 Harlow Town 38 17 10 11 71 49 +22 61
8 Thame United 38 16 12 10 64 45 +19 60
9 Biggleswade 38 18 6 14 62 56 +6 60
10 St Neots Town 38 14 11 13 57 53 +4 53 Transferred to the Northern Premier League
11 Waltham Abbey 38 15 7 16 64 64 0 52
12 FC Romania 38 15 3 20 71 83 −12 48
13 Didcot Town 38 13 8 17 50 69 −19 47
14 Aylesbury United 38 12 7 19 64 70 −6 43
15 Barton Rovers 38 11 8 19 47 63 −16 41
16 Hertford Town 38 10 6 22 58 82 −24 36
17 Kidlington 38 8 11 19 47 86 −39 35 Reprieved from the inter-step play-off[lower-alpha 3]
18 Kempston Rovers 38 8 5 25 50 102 −52 29 Qualified for the inter-step play-off[lower-alpha 4]
19 Colney Heath 38 7 2 29 35 92 −57 23 Relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League
20 Wantage Town 38 5 5 28 37 103 −66 20 Relegated to the Hellenic League
Source: Southern League, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 3.
  2. ↑ Welwyn Garden City were initially relegated for failing Step 4 ground grading standards. Although this relegaton was rescinded on appeal, Welwyn were still excluded from the promotion play-offs.[6]
  3. ↑ Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs.[7]
  4. ↑ Contested a one-off play-off match as one of the remaining six third-from-bottom teams against one of the six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. The winner remained at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season and the loser at Step 5.[7]

Play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
2 Berkhamsted 1
6 North Leigh 2
4 Ware 2
6 North Leigh 4
3 AFC Dunstable 0 (3)
4 Ware 0 (4)

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Berkhamsted1–2 (a.e.t.) North Leigh Broadwater, Berkhamsted
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Walster 90+2' Steele 58'
Gunn 96'		 Attendance: 523
26 April 2022 AFC Dunstable0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 Ware Creasy Park, Dunstable
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Attendance: 374

Final

2 May 2022 Ware2–4 North Leigh Wodson Park, Ware
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Adu-Donyinah 84'
Dulson 88'		 Nash 41'
McCreadie 50'
Louis 90+5'
Williams 90+6'		 Attendance: 1,564

Inter-step play-off

30 April 2022 Kempston Rovers 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)		Eccleshill UnitedCauseway Ground, Cinderford
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Hayford 37'
Baker 68'		 Bradley 50'
Cissa 56'		 Attendance: 184

Results

Home \ Away AYU BAR BDT BER BIG COL DID DUN ROM HAR HER KEM KID NOR STN THM WAL WAN WAR WGC
Aylesbury United — 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–3 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 3–4
Barton Rovers 1–1 — 0–2 0–3 0–1 3–0 0–1 0–2 0–3 0–2 0–1 2–1 0–3 1–2 2–0 0–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–5
Bedford Town 2–1 2–1 — 2–0 2–1 3–0 4–0 2–0 5–1 4–0 3–2 5–1 3–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–2 8–1 2–3 1–0
Berkhamsted 3–1 2–2 1–0 — 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 1–0 5–0 0–1 2–1
Biggleswade 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–3 — 0–0 1–2 0–3 3–0 2–1 4–1 3–1 1–0 1–2 1–2 0–3 2–1 1–2 3–0 2–1
Colney Heath 3–1 1–2 0–3 0–1 2–3 — 2–3 0–1 1–2 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–3 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 0–5 0–2
Didcot Town 3–3 4–0 0–3 0–2 0–4 0–1 — 1–0 2–4 1–3 2–0 2–2 0–3 1–4 2–2 0–2 1–2 1–0 3–1 2–3
AFC Dunstable 1–2 1–0 1–0 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–2 — 5–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–0 3–0 0–2 2–1
F.C. Romania 3–1 1–4 0–1 1–1 0–2 6–1 1–2 1–2 — 1–3 5–4 3–1 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–4 2–1 3–2 1–0 2–3
Harlow Town 1–1 2–0 1–2 0–1 4–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 2–1 1–3 4–2 0–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 7–0 2–3 3–2
Hertford Town 2–1 2–3 0–3 1–2 1–3 3–2 5–0 0–2 0–4 0–4 — 1–2 1–4 0–4 4–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–2 3–1
Kempston Rovers 2–3 1–1 0–5 1–3 1–1 6–1 2–0 1–2 1–6 0–6 4–3 — 3–1 1–1 0–3 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–5 0–2
Kidlington 2–5 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–0 1–1 1–1 4–3 0–0 2–5 1–1 — 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–3 3–2 2–2 1–7
North Leigh 4–2 1–2 1–4 0–1 3–2 6–1 3–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–3 1–0 7–0 — 2–0 3–1 0–3 2–0 0–0 1–1
St Neots Town 3–2 6–2 1–1 1–1 0–0 6–1 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 4–0 0–1 — 1–0 0–0 2–1 3–4 0–2
Thame United 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–2 1–3 5–2 1–1 1–1 5–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 — 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–0
Waltham Abbey 4–3 1–5 2–5 0–1 3–0 3–1 3–3 0–2 3–1 2–1 3–0 4–2 0–0 1–2 1–3 0–3 — 1–0 1–3 1–1
Wantage Town 1–5 1–1 0–7 1–1 1–3 0–1 0–1 0–0 3–5 0–1 3–3 3–0 2–1 2–4 1–2 1–3 1–3 — 0–3 1–2
Ware 5–2 1–0 2–3 3–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 1–2 1–1 5–2 5–1 0–0 0–0 4–0 4–1 10–1 — 0–1
Welwyn Garden City 3–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 5–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–0 6–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 5–3 2–2 1–0 —
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC DunstableDunstableCreasey Park3,200
Aylesbury UnitedAylesburyThe Meadow (groundshare with Chesham United)5,000
Barton RoversBarton-le-ClaySharpenhoe Road4,000
Bedford TownBedfordThe Eyrie3,000
BerkhamstedBerkhamstedBroadwater2,500
BiggleswadeBiggleswadeThe Eyrie (groundshare with Bedford Town)3,000
Colney HeathColney HeathRecreation Groundn/a
Didcot TownDidcotLoop Meadow3,000
FC RomaniaCheshuntCheshunt Stadium (groundshare with Cheshunt)3,000
Harlow TownHarlowThe Harlow Arena3,500
Hertford TownHertfordHertingfordbury Park6,500
Kempston RoversKempstonHillgrounds Leisure2,000
KidlingtonKidlingtonYarnton Road1,500
North LeighNorth LeighEynsham Hall Park Sports Ground2,000
St Neots TownSt NeotsNew Rowley Park3,500
Thame UnitedThameMeadow View Park2,000
Waltham AbbeyWaltham AbbeyCapershotts3,500
Wantage TownWantageAlfredian Park1,500
WareWareWodson Park3,300
Welwyn Garden CityWelwyn Garden CityHerns Way1,000

Division One South

Southern Football League
Division One South
Season2021–22
ChampionsPlymouth Parkway
PromotedPlymouth Parkway
Winchester City
RelegatedMangotsfield United
Barnstaple Town
Matches played342
Goals scored1,138 (3.33 per match)
Highest attendance1,362
Plymouth Parkway 2–0 Cinderford Town (23 April 2022)
Total attendance82,944
Average attendance243 (+42.1% to previous full season)

After Moneyfields voluntary relegated from the league, Division One South consisted of 19 clubs: 17 clubs from the previous season, and two new clubs:

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Plymouth Parkway 36 26 3 7 92 40 +52 81 Promoted to the Premier Division South
2 Frome Town 36 23 9 4 76 30 +46 78 Qualified for the play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
3 Cirencester Town 36 23 8 5 75 29 +46 77 Qualified for the play-offs, then transferred to Division One Central
4 Winchester City 36 21 8 7 93 47 +46 71 Qualified for the play-offs, then promoted to the Premier Division South
5 Bristol Manor Farm 36 20 9 7 64 41 +23 69 Qualified for the play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
6 AFC Totton 36 21 5 10 83 37 +46 68
7 Sholing 36 19 6 11 59 36 +23 63
8 Melksham Town 36 15 8 13 56 59 −3 53
9 Paulton Rovers 36 14 7 15 72 61 +11 49
10 Highworth Town 36 12 6 18 41 59 −18 42 Transferred to Division One Central
11 Larkhall Athletic 36 9 12 15 43 48 −5 39
12 Bideford 36 11 6 19 36 55 −19 39
13 Evesham United 36 11 6 19 50 72 −22 39
14 Slimbridge 36 11 5 20 52 83 −31 38
15 Willand Rovers 36 10 7 19 54 62 −8 37
16 Lymington Town 36 9 9 18 51 90 −39 36 Reprieved from the inter-step play-off[lower-alpha 2]
17 Cinderford Town 36 8 7 21 54 83 −29 31 Qualified for the inter-step play-off, then reprieved from relegation[lower-alpha 3]
18 Mangotsfield United 36 7 6 23 42 91 −49 27 Relegated to the Hellenic League
19 Barnstaple Town 36 7 3 26 45 115 −70 24 Relegated to the Western League
Source: Southern League website, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Step 3.
  2. ↑ Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs.[7]
  3. ↑ Contested a one-off play-off match as one of the remaining six third-from-bottom teams against one of six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. The winner rose to Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while the loser dropped to Step 5.[7] Although Cinderford Town lost the inter-step play-off, they were reprieved from relegation due to Walton Casuals' withdrawal from the Southern League in June 2022.[5]

Play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
2 Frome Town 1
5 Bristol Manor Farm 3
4 Winchester City 4
5 Bristol Manor Farm 1
3 Cirencester Town 1
4 Winchester City 4

Semi-finals

26 April 2022 Frome Town1–3 Bristol Manor Farm Badger Hill, Frome
19:45 (UTC+01:00) O'Loughlin 32' Simpson 33'
Howe 53'
Howe 71'		 Attendance: 1,158
26 April 2022 Cirencester Town1–4 (a.e.t.) Winchester City Corinium Stadium, Cirencester
19:45 (UTC+01:00) Grace-Parsons 77' Feeney 59'
Griggs 103'
Smith 109'
Smith 115'		 Attendance: 393

Final

2 May 2022 Winchester City 4–1Bristol Manor FarmCharters Community Stadium, Winchester
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Bentley 7'
Feeney 26'
Mlambo 58'
Smith 90+6'		 Gosling 70' Attendance: 1,025

Inter-step play-off

30 April 2022 Cinderford Town1–5 Skelmersdale United Causeway Ground, Cinderford
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Drew 80' Howard 33', 47', 88', 90+3'
Conteh 65'		 Attendance: 360

Results

Home \ Away TOT BAR BID BMF CIN CIR EVE FRO HWT LAR LYM MAN MEL PAU PLY SHO SLI WIL WIN
AFC Totton — 0–0 4–2 1–2 4–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 3–1 1–2 7–1 3–0 1–0 2–4 1–0 0–1 0–3 2–0 2–2
Barnstaple Town 1–8 — 1–0 4–5 0–7 1–5 2–1 1–4 4–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–2 1–5 0–4 0–3 3–2 0–4 2–4
Bideford 1–0 1–0 — 1–0 0–2 0–2 0–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 1–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 1–2 0–3 2–0 0–4 1–2
Bristol Manor Farm 2–2 3–1 0–2 — 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–3 4–0 3–0 0–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 4–2 1–0 0–0 2–0 2–2
Cinderford Town 1–8 3–2 1–0 1–2 — 0–0 1–2 2–3 1–1 1–0 3–3 3–0 1–0 2–4 2–3 1–4 1–2 2–1 2–5
Cirencester Town 2–0 2–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 — 3–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 4–3 3–1 1–0 6–0 0–1 4–2
Evesham United 3–3 3–2 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–3 — 1–4 4–1 2–0 4–3 2–1 0–1 1–4 3–1 2–2 1–2 1–4 1–5
Frome Town 0–2 9–2 2–0 0–0 5–2 0–2 1–1 — 1–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–3 2–1 1–0 3–2 2–0 3–0 2–0
Highworth Town 0–3 1–0 4–1 1–2 2–1 1–3 5–1 1–0 — 0–0 1–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 3–3 0–3
Larkhall Athletic 1–2 9–1 0–1 2–2 3–3 0–3 3–3 0–0 1–0 — 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–1 0–1 0–3 3–1 1–0 0–2
Lymington Town 0–4 3–2 2–1 1–2 3–2 0–0 3–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 — 3–0 2–2 0–7 1–4 2–5 2–3 2–2 0–1
Mangotsfield United 0–5 2–2 3–1 0–3 3–1 1–5 3–2 0–2 0–1 1–4 3–1 — 0–2 2–4 0–6 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–4
Melksham Town 0–1 1–2 2–2 0–4 4–2 1–1 1–3 0–3 2–0 0–0 3–2 3–3 — 1–0 4–3 1–0 2–1 4–2 2–2
Paulton Rovers 0–0 3–2 1–2 1–3 3–0 1–2 1–2 0–2 2–3 0–0 2–2 1–1 3–0 — 1–2 1–0 5–1 3–2 0–4
Plymouth Parkway 1–0 4–1 4–0 0–2 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 4–0 1–1 5–1 — 4–1 6–1 4–1 1–0
Sholing 2–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 4–0 0–0 3–1 4–1 5–0 0–2 0–2 — 2–1 2–1 2–0
Slimbridge 1–3 3–0 1–0 1–1 3–3 3–2 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–3 3–0 3–5 0–5 3–3 1–3 3–0 — 2–3 0–4
Willand Rovers 1–4 1–1 1–2 1–2 3–1 0–3 1–0 1–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–0 3–4 1–2 3–0 — 1–3
Winchester City 3–1 7–1 2–2 5–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 0–0 0–1 2–4 5–1 2–1 3–0 2–2 3–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 —
Source: Southern League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

Club Location Stadium Capacity
AFC TottonTottonTestwood Stadium3,000
Barnstaple TownBarnstapleMill Road5,000
BidefordBidefordThe Sports Ground2,000
Bristol Manor FarmBristol (Sea Mills)The Creek2,000
Cinderford TownCinderfordCauseway Ground3,500
Cirencester TownCirencesterCorinium Stadium4,500
Evesham UnitedEveshamJubilee Stadium3,000
Frome TownFromeBadgers Hill2,000
Highworth TownHighworthThe Elms Recreation Ground2,000
Larkhall AthleticBath (Larkhall)The Plain Ham Ground1,000
Lymington TownLymingtonThe Sports Ground1,000
Mangotsfield UnitedMangotsfieldCossham Street2,500
Melksham TownMelkshamOakfield Stadium2,500
Paulton RoversPaultonAthletic Field2,500
Plymouth ParkwayPlymouthBolitho Park3,500
SholingSholingPortsmouth Road1,000
SlimbridgeSlimbridgeThornhill Park1,500
Willand RoversWillandSilver Street1,000
Winchester CityWinchesterThe City Ground4,500

Relegation reprieves

Step 3

Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and those placed third-from-bottom that are the top three on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from relegation. The remaining team was relegated to Step 4.[7]

The final points-per-game ranking of the third-from-bottom placed teams in Step 3 divisions was as follows:

Pos Team League Pld Pts PPG Qualification
5 Basford United Northern Premier League Premier Division 42 45 1.071 Retention at Step 3
6 Barwell Southern League Premier Division Central 40 41 1.025
7 Kings Langley Southern League Premier Division South 42 37 0.881
8 Leatherhead Isthmian League Premier Division 42 36 0.857 Relegation to Step 4

Source:[7]

Step 4

Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two clubs placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs. The FA granted third-placed Sheffield a reprieve after demoting Yorkshire Amateur from the Northern Premier League for non-compliance with Step 4 ground grading requirements.[8] The remaining six teams contested one-off matches with six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. Three winners of their matches stayed at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while three others lost theirs and were relegated to Step 5.[7]

The final points-per-game ranking of the 3rd-from-bottom-placed teams in Step 4 divisions was also as follows:

Pos Team League Pld Pts PPG Qualification
9 Prescot Cables Northern Premier League Division One West 38 39 1.026 Retention at Step 4
10 Lancing Isthmian League South East Division 38 36 0.947 Relegation match with a Step 5 team
11 Sheffield Northern Premier League Division One East 36 33 0.917 Retention at Step 4
12 Witham Town Isthmian League North Division 38 33 0.863 Relegation match with a Step 5 team
13 Cinderford Town Southern League Division One South 36 31 0.861
14 Kempston Rovers Southern League Division One Central 38 29 0.763
15 Histon Northern Premier League Division One Midlands 38 24 0.632
16 Chalfont St Peter Isthmian League South Central Division 36 21 0.583

Source: [7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National League System club allocations – Steps 1 to 4, Season 2021–22" (PDF). The Football Association. 17 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 "EXPLAINED: The 2021-22 Non-League restructure". The Non-League Paper. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 "[Promotion and relegation for 2021/22]". The Football Association. September 2021. "7 clubs across Step 3 to be reprieved. Reprieves are based on those with the highest PPG, starting with 4th from bottom Clubs, then 3rd from bottom (and so on). As it stands, this would be all four 4th from bottom Clubs and the best three 3rd from bottom Clubs."
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
  5. 1 2 Whitney, Steve (10 June 2022). "Changes to League Constitution". Southern Football League. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Metcalfe, Neil (24 April 2022). "Heartbreak for Welwyn Garden City as they are blocked from Southern League play-offs". Welwyn and Hatfield Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Miller, Pete. "Non League 21/22 Promotion and Relegation". Google Docs.
  8. ↑ Gordon, James (24 April 2022). "Relegation, Reprieves & Inter-Step Play-Offs". The Pitching In Northern Premier League. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
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