With just one Saturday left in the Ryman League calendar, Whyteleafe finished off their home league programme on Saturday with a fine win against mid-table Worthing.

Leafe could have been celebrating promotion if they had not slipped up during the middle part of the season. But a good run since then has seen them climb to fifth spot. Furthermore, the reserves won the Suburban League South Division Championship on Saturday. So it looks like good times are just around the corner.

But that is not so for the disappointed Dulwich Hamlet. The promotion places are now out of reach after a final home league game, which ended in a draw against Walton and Hersham. And Carshalton Athletic and Lewes both won their games.

However, the Hamlet have been around the promotion places all season but just could not find the final push. Now they will have to start all over again next season.

As for Croydon Athletic, they rounded off their away fixtures with a point at Corinthian Casuals.

The Athletic have put in a good run of late and are now safe from relegation.

But the borough's top side in terms of league positions will be decided this Saturday.

Croydon could have achieved that on Saturday, but faced a Carshalton Athletic side that need to win to gain promotion. And they did so despite a brave effort from Micky Reid's team.

Whyteleafe certainly treated the large home crowd to a good display in this, their last home fixture of the season.

A fine 4-1 win against Worthing was achieved with some good football. It started as early as the fifth minute when Stuart Massey fired home. But a slight hiccup followed when Massey gave away a penalty on 52 minutes.

Whyteleafe's response was quick in coming. Peter Garland fired home on 58 minutes. Then followed two headed goals first from Mark Dickinson on 68 minutes and then Danny Bower a minute from time.

Dulwich Hamlet on the other hand were always going to have thoughts elsewhere as well as about their own game. But the 1-1 home draw with Walton and Hersham was not good enough to gain a chance of promotion.

Scorers were Charly Side on 16 minutes for Dulwich and Savage a minute from time for the visitors. But the Hamlet have given it their best shot all season, and they will certainly be having a go again next season.

Croydon Athletic made the short trip down the A3 to Corinthian Casuals and came away with a point in a 1-1 draw. Jamie Gibson equalised four minutes from time after Geurgiou put the Casuals in front on 33 minutes.

Croydon FC were nearly party spoilers away at Carshalton Athletic and, although they never created much in front of goal, they held on until former Croydon player Des Boatang fired the Athletic into the Premiership on 44 minutes.

April 30, 2003 13:00