By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Leyton Orient made a triumphant return to the Football League two years after being relegated, in front of a bumper crowd of over 8000. Although the O’s only managed a goalless draw at home to already relegated Braintree Town, a point was all they required to secure the National League title and automatic promotion back to League Two.
Solihull Moors, one of the teams who had been challenging Justin Edinburgh’s men for the title were held to a 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge. At the beginning of the second half Conor Wilkinson put Peter Taylor’s side ahead, before Jermaine Hylton levelled for the visitors with 55 minutes on the clock. The Daggers ended the season in 18th place.
In the National League South Concord Rangers were still reeling from their exclusion from the play-offs due to the league’s ground requirements not being met, but they at least managed to end their campaign with a win away to Eastbourne Borough. Connor Essam and Joan Luque put the Beach Boys 2-0 in front before Bingham replied for the hosts, but Sammy Moore’s side held on to win 2-1 and ensure the highest placing in the club’s history.
Concord’s misfortune meant that Chelmsford City earned a bye in the play-offs, thanks to leading scorer Rhys Murphy who netted the only goal of the game to give them a 1-0 victory in their final league game at Chippenham Town. This was enough to ensure the Clarets finished in 4th place and meant that they went straight through to this Sunday’s semi-finals, when they travel to Welling United.
But there was disappointment for Billericay Town, who missed out on the play-offs altogether as goals from Cundy and Smith sealed a 2-0 win for their visitors Bath City, and an 8th placed finish for Blues. Bath will face Wealdstone in Wednesday’s qualifying game, the winners of which will be away to Woking in Sunday’s other semi-final.
East Thurrock United travelled to Hungerford Town knowing they were already relegated, but they managed to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw. Shaun Batt put Rocks ahead after 23 minutes before Chesmain’s last gasp equaliser resulted in survival for the hosts, as their rivals for the drop Truro City could only manage a draw at home to Slough Town and were therefore relegated.
