Brentford join League 2 as 3 are set to leave

By Nathan Jackson
April 9 2007

Brentford have become the first side to be relegated to League Two this season after a 3-1 defeat at midtable Crewe. Brentford confirmed their place in League 2 for next season just 2 days after Dagenham and Redbridge confirmed theres, but 3 other sides could leave League 2 by Saturday evening.

After two straight playoff semi-final disappointments, Brentford had been hoping for more of the same but instead have found themselves relegated to League Two for the first time since the 1998-9 season. That could be a good omen for the Imps as the last time Brentford were relegated to this divison, City won promotion to what was then known as Division 2. Brentford are the first League club in the country to be relegated.

Brentford's path has been identical to Hartlepool. The Pool failed in 2 successive League One playoff campaigns before getting relegated with a defeat to Port Vale last May. Hartlepool however are just one point away from promotion back to League One following a 1-0 win over Accrington. Hartlepool do have a tough challenge to win promotion on Saturday though as they travel to Wycombe Wanderers. However, Hartlepool could still win promotion even if they lose, the only result that would stall the Pool's promotion is MK Dons beating Darlington at home.

Walsall can also be promoted on Saturday when they travel to Notts County. They only need to match the MK Dons' result to be promoted back to League One at the first attempt. Swindon could also virtually guarantee themselves League One football next season if they beat Bury and MK Dons lose. Swindon can't win promotion this Saturday but they would just be a single point away from promotion.

At the other end however, the equation for Torquay is simple. If they lose at home to Peterborough on Saturday then the Gulls will be relegated to the Conference. Boston can also move 6 points clear of the relegation zone with 3 to play if they beat Hereford and the Imps beat Wrexham.

Due to Bristol Rovers having a game in hand over the Imps, City can't cement a place in the playoffs on Saturday. Infact, if City beat Wrexham on Saturday, Hartlepool beat Wycombe and Notts County fail to beat Walsall, it would mean that Bristol Rovers would be the only side currently outside of the playoffs that could overtake the Imps, and the two sides meet next Saturday.

As for 7th place, everyone down to Hereford in 17th place are still mathematically capable of getting into the Playoff places.

Much like Torquay, the equation is simple for Rotherham in League One. If they don't beat Carlisle then they will also return to the 4th tier of English football. They would also be relying on Oldham beating Cheltenham and Doncaster winning at Orient.