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April 18: It will be a tense afternoon for club’s at both ends of the BGB Premier table as the league programme enters its penultimate Saturday. At the top end, Kings Lynn travel to Gloucester, who have their eyes on a play-off place. The linnets are two points clear, but they have the toughest game among the title-chasing trio. Team Bath are at Bromsgrove, who could be relegated if the students win, while Halesowen host Clevedon, who have no interest in either end of the table.

At the bottom, Bedford and Corby meet headlong at the New Eyrie. Bedford could be consigned to Division One football if they lose, while a defeat for Corby will make their final day clash with Hitchin even more important. The Canaries host Merthyr, needing one point to secure their Premier place. Merthyr are now safe after beating Cirencester 3-0 in midweek. Rugby are still not safe, they need a point from their last two games. They travel to Brackley.

April 20: Hitchin Town secured safety despite losing at home to Merthyr Tydfil in front of over 500 people at Top Field. The impressive Craig Steins gave Merthyr the lead after 26 minutes, but four minutes later, Paul Barnes equalised for Hitchin. Just before the interval, a long range free kick by Shaun Sawe restored the lead for the Welshmen. Steins added another after 73 as Hitchin poured forward. The result was academic as Bedford and Bromsgrove both lost.Former Hitchin defender Matt Childs gave Bedford the lead but Corby responded through Glavey and Steve Diggin before half-time. Meanwhile at Bromsgrove, Team Bath ran out 3-2 winners with a last minute goal from Sean Canham. Bromsgrove had made it 2-2 in the 86th minute. The other talking points were at the top of the table, where Kings Lynn were held by Gloucester. The Linnets, backed by a healthy following, had to rely on a Matt Nolan equaliser in the 80th minute. Halesowen’s title challenge faded at the Grove - but for a 90th minute equaliser, Clevedon would have gone home with all three points. Chippenham won 4-1 at Cheshunt, with a hat-trick from David Pratt, and Bashley guaranteed their play-off place with a 1-0 win over Mangotsfield.

BGB Premier Fixtures

Saturday April 26 2008

Banbury United v Swindon Supermarine

Bedford Town v Bashley

Cheshunt v Yate Town

Chippenham Town v Team Bath

Cirencester Town v Gloucester City

Clevedon Town v Brackley Town

Corby Town v Hitchin Town

Hemel Hempstead Town v Tiverton Town

Mangotsfield United v Halesowen Town

Merthyr Tydfil v Kings Lynn

Rugby Town v Bromsgrove Rovers