Non-League and Academy football writer

The current 2023/24 Isthmian League Premier Division season has so far been an eventful one, with Hornchurch leading the league by six points above second place Chatham Town, despite having played two games less than them. And I don’t think that it’s really very surprising that they are leading the league, given that they have been so impressive in recent seasons. They also have some top players, such as Liam Nash (he is currently on 14 league goals), Femi Akinwande, Ade Yusuff and Sean Scannell, to name just some of their players. Personally speaking, I would be surprised if they didn’t win the Isthmian League Premier Division this season, although there is still a really good amount of games to go in the league season. In second place is Chatham Town, a side that I’ve enjoyed watching so far this season. They play good football, and with some really experienced players in their squad, it will be interesting to see how close they can go, to keeping up with Hornchurch during the remainder of the season. One of the surprises of this season so far, has been Wingate & Finchley. Ahmet Rifat’s side are on 40 points from 22 league games. And they are a side who have made really good progress so far this season.

Wingate & Finchley are in really good form of late, and one of their key players is Elliot Long, with the former Takeley player really making a good impression in the league this season, already scoring 13 league goals. Elliot is a highly skilful player with a real eye for goal, and he has been one of the most consistent players in the league this season. Davide Rodari is the top scorer in the league at this stage of the season (with 15 goals), really impressing for a Hastings United who are just outside of the play-off places (Hasthag United are another side who are just outside of the play-off spaces, and who are doing really well). Slightly below Hastings United in the table is Peter Adeniyi’s Carshalton Athletic side, who have played some really good football in the league this season. They started the season really well, and are currently just four points off of the play-off places. I reckon that they will go on a really good run in the league, and by the end of the season I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them in the play-off places. In possession of the ball Carshalton are one of the best step three sides that I have seen this season. Former QPR academy player Oluwabunmi Babajide has been in excellent form of late, and the 20 year old forward will be very important to Carshalton getting into the play-off places. 

At the other end of the league table, you have clubs such as Concord Rangers (they have only played 17 league games) at the bottom of the table, with Haringey Borough just above them in the league, with 12 points from 22 league games. It could be very difficult for Haringey Borough to stay up this season. They face Canvey Island at home on Saturday afternoon, in their next league game. It promises to be a very interesting 2024 towards the bottom of the table, with clubs such as Kingstonian and Cheshunt currently also in the relegation zone. Cheshunt were relegated from the National League South last season, but I personally think that they’ll avoid relegation this season, with Mark Stimson’s Margate side just above the relegation zone, they are however, another side who I personally think will return to winning ways soon, as they look to climb up the table. I’m sure that the remainder of this season in the Isthmian League Premier Division will be a fascinating one, and I’m looking forward to continuing to get to plenty of games from now until the end of the season.