The Isthmian Premier Division is certainly hotting up; it's an exciting, entertaining league and it's certainly a tough one to get out of.
At the moment, Hornchurch FC are running away with the league under new manger Steve Morison. As it stands, they are 8 points clear at the top and still unbeaten in the league.
In the rest of the league, each team has roughly only one point between each other, which is amazing to see and makes this league the tightest it has ever been. It's still very early days, as there's only been twelve games so far, which means there's thirty more games to go.
Some teams have got one or two games in hand, which makes it very interesting around the play-off places.
So let's have a look at the league and see who's in the running for promotion, play-offs and also relegation so far.
Title Race
As it stands, Hornchurch FC are putting on a show in the league. The Urchins are a threat this season, scoring more than three goals per game, which could lead them to the title. Will they keep the form up or will they drop from the top?
Every year there is always a newly promoted side near the race for the title and play-offs. This time, it's Chatham Town. They have started the season really well under manager Kevin Hake and are sitting in second place. They've found their feet in the league and are now pushing above their expectations. They are also fighting for the title; can they go all the way and secure back-to-back promotions or will it all fall apart?
Third place Enfield Town have always been around the play-offs; they made it to the play-offs in 2022, but lost in the semi-final to Hornchurch. Then last year, they dropped out of the play-offs due to poor form in the final few games of the season. Enfield have always got a good side in the league. Will they go one step further and chase the Urchins for the title, or will they fall once again at the final hurdle?
Now onto Billericay Town, who were relegated from the National League South in 2021/22 and dropped back to the Isthmian Premier Division last season. This year they have got higher expectations, with loads of summer signings and also a new manager, Gary McCann who has helped their strong start. Can they be in with a shot at the league title or will they remain in the division?
Play-off Contenders
Canvey Island, Horsham and Lewes are the play-off contenders this year.
First Canvey Island , who were newly promoted last year and secured a play-off place, but lost on penalties to play-off winners Aveley. This year they have started to find some form to turn their season around, with hopes of securing a back-to-back play-off.
Secondly, Horsham have been a team that have been up there and were very unlucky last year to not secure a play-off position. This year could be their year, but they will have to chase the pack!
Lewes have also been a team that have previously been up there. They were also unlucky last year after nearly securing their play off place on the final day, but missed out on goal difference.
Underdogs This Year
The Underdogs this year so far are Whitehawk, Wingate and Finchley and Hashtag United.
Wingate and Finchley and newly promoted sides Whitehawk and Hashtag Utd have started the season really well. Wingate and Finchley and Whitehawk were predicted to finish nearer to the bottom than the top at the beginning of the year and at the moment Whitehawk are inside the play offs and Wingate are juts behind them. Hashtag were another name that were predicted to be around the play-offs this year, but have been a mixture this year so far. They will be hoping to find their rhythm and stake a claim for the elusive play-off spots!
Relegation Battle
It is still very early days, but Haringey, along with recently relegated Concord Rangers, have started poorly and are currently the favourites to go down. Haringey have struggled at this level for a few years now, so it is to be expected. Concord were expected to be in and around the play-offs this year, but have started terribly and now need to try and find some form to try and get out of this predicament, otherwise it will be back-to-back relegations for them.
Another team that have started badly is Cray Wanderers. They started the season poorly after changing the team around,, but have started to find some form and will be looking up the table, rather than down it.
Kingstonian, Potters Bar, Cheshunt and Margate also find themselves in a relegation battle after bad starts to the season.
Amazing work Mr Howard