Epsom & Ewell chairman Peter Beddoe insists the club can win promotion from the Combined Counties League Premier Division with just six fixtures remaining.

The Salts’ hopes of going up were handed a huge boost last week when it was revealed league leaders Hartley Wintney would not accept promotion due to ground regulations in the higher tier.

It has opened the door to several sides with Ashford Town, two places and four points above the Salts, now in pole position.

But Beddoe says the club are capable of a late surge to book an unlikely promotion party.

“We have six matches to go and needless to say, they are all absolutely vital,” he said.

“We’ve always been up near the top of the table, but now there’s a real chance – we need to win the next two games and that will set us up for a couple of huge games to possibly decide the season.

“After suffering a little blip, we are coming back into form and playing well. It’s certainly possible – you just never know.”

The Epsom & Ewell chairman believes a successful season could help in the battle to return to the borough, having played in Chipstead in recent years.

He said: “We have always had ambition to play at the higher levels and if we do get promoted it would help in our bid to relocate back to Epsom.

“We’ve been wanting to go back for 20 years and the negotiations and funding are certainly made easier by success on the pitch.”

It would take a prolific run for the Salts to claim second place, but Beddoe is adamant the pressure will not affect the side or its manager, Glyn Mandeville.

“My impression with Glyn and the side is that nothing really fazes them – they keep grounded and just focus on the next game,” he said.

“We are definitely capable. But it’s important not to put too much pressure on the team. They are confident but remain realistic.”

In a compelling finale to the season, Epsom & Ewell will host Ashford and Camberley – their two promotion rivals – in April to round off the season.

The chairman acknowledges the importance of the fixtures but hopes his side get the job done this weekend first.

He added: “They will be huge games and if we can get as much support in the ground as possible that would be fantastic.

“But before then we’ve got Badshot Lea – they may not have much to play for but that doesn’t mean a thing, they will want to beat us and they are always a tough opposition.”