Although Thatcham’s squad has recently been depleted through injury and suspension, three successive away wins have helped seal a top-half finish for the Kingfishers, our first at step 4 since 2011/12. A win this afternoon will ensure Thatcham finish 8th - any other result and Town will end up in 9th.

Sutton Common Rovers could finish anywhere between 13th and 16th. They have finished 17th in each of the last two seasons, so this year represents their best ever season. Last season they avoided relegation by overcoming Crawley Down Gatwick in a relegation play-off.

After picking up just 2 points in 6 games from the start of February, 2-0 home wins over Chipstead and Met Police all-but guaranteed them safety. Last weekend they lost 2-0 at home to Chertsey, however just like the Kingfishers, they took a point off the league champions at Alwyns Lane back in December.

SCR have a good record against the Kingfishers... In 2021/22 they won 1-0 at home then 2-0 in Berkshire through Yao Aziamale’s brace. In 2022/23 they won 2-1 at Thatcham following Shane Lyle’s late winner. The game in Surrey finished level with Mo Ceesay and Izzy Kaba scoring equalisers for Town in a 2-2 draw.

Earlier this season Thatcham won 3-1 at Church Road (Whyteleafe FC) with Ceesay (2) and David Nyarko establishing a comfortable lead for Yash Romeo’s side before Maxwell Oldham pulled back a late consolation.

In his programme notes, boss Yashwa Romeo said,

Overall I think it’s been a positive season. We will finish eighth if we win today, but Sutton are a physical side and have quality players who could throw a spanner in the works. They are in a similar position to where we were last season, and we weren’t a bad team, so we’ll need to work hard today.

The play-offs were our original aim but that was a big stretch given where we finished last season plus the turnaround in players. But that will be our aim for next season. Preparations will start immediately, from getting existing players to commit, registering new players and arranging pre-season friendlies.

The boys did really well at Chipstead last week considering we took just 13 players. Scoring early was crucual and at 3-0 it was job done by half-time. As disappointing as the Marlow result was, I can’t really complain given we had 8 players missing. That’s not to say that the boys on the pitch let us down at all - we just need that little bit more experience and more depth. I expect this division to be harder next season based on the clubs who are coming into it from above and below.

Finally, it’s not just about me and the players, we are all one big team. I’d like to thank the backroom staff, the bar staff, the volunteers, and you – the supporters. Have a great summer and see you all next season, YASH