Canvey Island and Billericay Town are both likely to discover their Ryman League destinies over the Easter weekend.

While Gulls, needing just two points from their last eight games to be confirmed as Premier champions, are likely to be the title holders by the end of the holiday, Town know they must have some success to keep their hopes of finishing outside the bottom four alive.

A couple of weeks ago achieving that feat looked very much on the cards, but a run of three straight away defeats - all by the odd goal - mean that tomorrow's home clash with Bognor Regis is a must-win affair.

Justin Edinburgh's men need to finish above the bottom four if they are to earn a place in the play-offs for next season's new Conference First Division.

Few would back Billericay to get any reward from the Easter Monday visit to Park Lane to take on Gulls.

That match starts at 12 noon and could well see Jeff King's men going into action as champs if they have won today's away fixture at Thurrock, which had a 1pm start.

Whether they are title holders already or looking to settle the issue on Monday, Billericay will not find visiting the island an easy task.

For more on Ryman Premier League sides see our Ryman Premier League section

Published Friday April 9, 2004

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