The Standouts and Strugglers of the Isthmian Premier League So Far

The 2025/26 Isthmian Premier League season is already more than a third complete and has delivered plenty of surprises in its opening months. The division’s classic unpredictability is on full display, with early favourites stumbling, promoted sides impressing, relegated teams struggling, managerial changes shaking things up, and unexpected contenders emerging.

This piece highlights eleven teams who have stood out for different reasons. Four sides are exceeding expectations, three pre-season favourites made slow starts but are now finding their rhythm, and four clubs already face significant challenges as they try to turn their season around. It offers a snapshot of the campaign so far and a sense of what might lie ahead as we move into the vital festive period.

THE STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Folkestone Invicta

Invicta have been the team to beat so far. A summer of significant change on and off the pitch saw Jay Saunders assemble a new squad to compete at a revamped Cheriton Road, complete with a new artificial surface. They have made a flying start and, while there is still a long way to go, look very difficult to stop in the title race.

Their early form is even more impressive given that they played their first eight league matches away from home while work continued on the stadium. Saunders’ side have been ruthless, scoring 49 goals and losing only once, with statement wins including a 5-2 victory at Aveley, a 6-0 thrashing of Lewes, and an 8-1 demolition of Cray Wanderers.

Central to their success has been the goalscoring form of Joe Pigott and Jake Hutchinson, both summer signings who have each scored nine league goals. Unless another side can match their consistency, the title could be heading to the Kent coast in dominant fashion.

Brentwood Town

Brentwood have been the surprise package of the campaign. While it was clear Keith Rowland’s side had quality, few expected them to be sitting second heading into the festive period. Central to their rise has been the prolific Danny Ogunleye, who has already scored eleven league goals this season.

Their early-season highlights include a run of eight straight wins, a league double over St Albans, a dominant derby victory over Billericay, a 5-1 win at Cray Wanderers, and most recently an emphatic 5-2 triumph at Chichester City.

Maintaining this level will be essential if they want to stay on the heels of Folkestone, but at this stage they look strong contenders for a playoff place and continue to surprise with their ability to secure results against more established Step 3 sides.

Aveley

Another club that underwent a complete summer overhaul, Aveley have put together a superb run that sees them firmly in the playoff positions. The club appointed Brett Munyard following relegation from the National League South and rebuilt the squad from the ground up, making their strong start even more impressive.

Munyard’s team have been difficult to beat, losing only twice in sixteen league games and currently on a nine-match unbeaten run that has propelled them up the table. With a squad full of Isthmian Premier winners, it is no surprise that the Millers are beginning to feature prominently in the form charts.

They are also the only unbeaten side away from home, and given how difficult an instant return after relegation can be, Aveley’s start deserves recognition and leaves them well placed to challenge for promotion.

Wingate & Finchley

Although currently mid-table, Ahmet Rifat has once again got Wingate performing above expectations against clubs with far greater resources. They recently went nine games unbeaten after a slow opening period in which they failed to win any of their first six fixtures.

Seven of those unbeaten matches came away from home while The Maurice Rebak Stadium underwent improvements, making their climb even more impressive. During that stretch they beat several higher-placed sides, including Brentwood, Dartford, and Dulwich Hamlet, all on the road.

They have a talented squad that should not be overlooked. Caoilan McGettigan in particular has earned widespread praise for his creative performances, while Gianluca Botti and Loic Hernandez have both hit strong goalscoring form in recent weeks. If this trajectory continues, Wingate could find themselves pushing for a top-five finish, which would mark an excellent season for Rifat and his team.

CHASING THE LEADERS

Dartford

After losing in last season’s playoff final, Adrian Pennock’s Dartford endured a sluggish start, winning only one of their first seven matches and struggling for consistency. The pattern echoed last season, when a poor opening gave way to an outstanding unbeaten run that pushed them close to the title.

Whether they can repeat that remains to be seen, but an eleven-game unbeaten sequence has lifted them into the playoff places. Results have been more mixed recently, yet the squad looks increasingly well set to challenge again.

Much of last season’s group remained at the club, and the likes of Eddie Dsane and Olly Box have continued to deliver in front of goal. Improved discipline will be essential, however, with seven red cards already affecting results and costing them valuable points in important games, but the quality is there to push for promotion once more.

Billericay Town

Touted as pre-season favourites after missing promotion by a single goal last year, Billericay made a slow start but are beginning to find momentum under Danny Scopes. A return of only two wins from their first six league matches prompted a managerial change, and rebuilding rhythm has taken time as squad changes and cup commitments disrupted consistency.

Since Scopes arrived, the Blues have suffered only two defeats in eleven league outings, both away to the current top two. Wins over Chatham, Dartford, and a commanding 6-1 victory against Welling have underlined their improvement as Scopes settles in at New Lodge.

If this trend continues, Billericay have the quality and experience to reach the playoffs and remain one of the sides to keep an eye on through the coming months, particularly with Scopes bringing prior success at this level with Aveley.

St Albans City

St Albans suffered a classic relegation hangover, beginning with only two wins from their first eight fixtures. Form has improved since, with four victories in their next seven pushing them gradually up the table, though they are yet to find sustained momentum.

Recent weeks brought managerial change, with Ian Culverhouse departing for King’s Lynn and Gary McCann taking charge. McCann has made an immediate impact, winning his opening league games against Canvey Island and Carshalton Athletic.

With several games in hand on teams around them and a squad blending youth with experience, St Albans remain well positioned to climb the table as the season progresses, and should not be written off with so much of the season still to play.

TEAMS IN TROUBLE

Cray Valley PM

It appears to be second-season syndrome for Cray Valley PM. After an outstanding debut year that saw them finish fourth and push Dartford to the limit in a dramatic playoff semi-final, Steve McKimm’s side have struggled to hit the same level this time around.

Four wins from eighteen matches leave them sitting just above the relegation zone, which is surprising given McKimm’s record at this level and the experience within the squad. Their home form is a particular worry, with only one victory at The Artic Stadium all season.

The contrast with last year’s top-three challenge is stark, although there is still room for improvement. A strong second half of the campaign could steer them away from a relegation fight and secure a mid-table finish, which would still represent a respectable follow-up in such a demanding division.

Hashtag United

Despite being the only team to beat Folkestone this season, Hashtag United have struggled to make an impression in their third year at Step 3. Jay Devereux’s side have found life difficult at both ends, scoring only 21 goals in seventeen matches while conceding 34.

Results have been poor, with recent heavy losses such as 0-6 to Chatham Town and 1-4 to Ramsgate not helping their current position. Consistency has been a major issue, with their four league wins all separated by multiple draws or defeats.

Key players from two previous mid-table finishes, including Sak Hassan, Misha Djemaili and Harry Haysom, have not been adequately replaced, and though time remains for the Tags to climb out of the relegation zone, early signs suggest a tough task lies ahead.

Welling United

It has been a disastrous season so far for Welling United. Relegated after more than 40 years above Step 3, they are now on their third manager of the campaign and have collected only nine points from seventeen matches. Lee Martin lasted ten games, Rod Stringer six, and Ryan Maxwell now carries the responsibility of trying to steady the club.

Maxwell must stabilise an unbalanced squad that has already used nearly 50 players this season. His first league outing, a 6-1 loss at Billericay, underlined the size of the task. With 25 fixtures still to play, there is time to recover, but results and performances must improve quickly.

Ending the current run of seven consecutive league defeats and tightening up both their attacking and defensive record will be vital if they are to avoid a second relegation in as many seasons.

Potters Bar Town

Potters Bar face an immense uphill battle to salvage their season. Eight points from a possible 48 leaves the Scholars anchored to the foot of the table, with only two wins to their name. Following a lower mid-table finish last year, and despite off-field improvements over the summer, including a new artificial surface, those changes have yet to translate into progress on the pitch.

Max Mitchell’s ageing squad struggled to build momentum in the early weeks, and the return of Sammy Moore marks a fresh attempt to reverse their fortunes. Embedding his ideas and reshaping the side will take time, but an immediate uplift in results is essential if the Scholars are to avoid being cut adrift.

Moore faces a difficult task to preserve their Step 3 status and will need his experienced players to lead a run of results capable of pushing the team up the division.