IF THE Western League season was to finish today, Buckland Athletic would lock in a spot in the playoffs alongside Paulton Rovers, Torpoint Athletic and Barnstaple Town.

With four games still to play though, there is plenty of opportunities for the landscape to shift further, making this a make-or-break period.

Both Sidmouth Town and Newquay AFC are hot on the coattails of the Bucks, hoping to pounce on any slip-ups and take their place in fifth, so let’s look at their respective fixtures still to come.

Home vs Oldland Abbotonians (18th), Sat 28th

Home vs Paulton Rovers (2nd), Tues 31st

Away at Ivybridge Town (12th), Fri 3rd April

Home vs Helston Athletic (13th), Mon 6th

Home vs Newquay AFC (7th), Sat 28th

Home vs Bridgwater United (10th), Fri 3rd Apr

Away at Wellington AFC (14th), Mon 6th

Home vs Helston Athletic (13th), Sat 25th

Away at Sidmouth Town (6th), Sat 28th

Away at Brislington FC (17th), Fri 3rd April

Home vs Oldland Abbotonians (18th), Mon 6th

Home vs Brislington FC (17th), Sat 11th

Home vs Helston Athletic (13th), Weds 15th

Home vs Shepton Mallet (15th), Sat 18th.

On a points basis, Buckland and Sidmouth are the pair in the driving seat whereas Newquay have two games in hand on them both. Winning those games would draw them level on points with Sidmouth but the full-on nature of their final few weeks could prove detrimental.

Interestingly, each team has to play one side in the promotion mix whilst their other outings see them cross paths with those in the bottom half.

Tomorrow will be particularly notable as Sidmouth and Newquay do battle at Manstone Lane with one of them (at least) guaranteed to drop points. In the reverse, the Vikings won by four goals to one Mount Wise Stadium, handing Newquay a sure-fire desire for revenge.

Buckland’s most difficult game will see Paulton Rovers come to town in a matter of days, a side who themselves still harbour title ambitions.

Before then, Matt Cusack’s side will host Oldland Abbotonians, having beaten them 4-1 in South Gloucestershire earlier in the month.

They also beat Ivybridge Town on Boxing Day and Helston Athletic a couple of weeks ago, so a repeat against all three would go a long way.

The Bucks put in a solid 50/60 minutes against Torpoint Athletic a few days ago and will hope to do the same against Paulton, then hopefully tackling the other three fixtures.

After the aforementioned draw with Torpoint, Cusack spoke frankly about what his side needs to achieve their goal of a playoff finish.

“We’ve got 12 points left to play for and I think we probably will need between seven or nine is my prediction. Any which way they come, that’s what we’re aiming for”, said Cusack.

He also mentioned that the acquisition of Oldland forward Josiah McKayle is “strengthening us as we look to get into the playoffs,” before adding, “As I always say, we just have to get into the playoffs.

“Once we do that and have as many players available as possible, we’re a problem for anybody so we just have to get there.”

It promises to be a fascinating end to the season no matter what, with everything on the line for these three teams.