SSML Premier Division Play-Offs - 2024/25

[Rhodes]

Following recent results here are the finalised Premier Division Play-Off Semi Final ties for the right to be promoted to Step Four next season with Championship winners Milton Keynes Irish:

 

Wednesday 30 April (kick off 7.45pm)

Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals

Cockfosters v London Lions

Tring Athletic v Wormley Rovers

[Rhodes]

On 22/04/2025 at 10:07, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters v London Lions

There will no doubt be a bumper attendance at Chalk Lane tomorrow evening:

[Rhodes]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Tring Athletic v Wormley Rovers

Will this be the same, or similar, outcome to the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield Final just a week ago with Tring Athletic, who can do no wrong at present, winning 2-1 and lifting the Shield:

[Rhodes]

2 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters v London Lions

There are always car parking problems at Chalk Lane aren't there, it must be frustrating for the Club:

Play-Off v London Lions - Wed 30 Apr. Pay and park facilities are available at Cockfosters tube station, end of the Picadilly Line. It's a 5 minute walk from Cockfosters tube station to our ground in Chalk Lane. Limited parking is also available at the Cock Inn Pub, Bevan Road and surrounding roads are also a good option. Refer to map.

[Rhodes]

On 29/04/2025 at 16:03, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April (kick off 7.45pm)
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters v London Lions
Tring Athletic v Wormley Rovers

Let's get ready to rumble then, is there any stopping Tring Athletic at the moment:

[Rhodes]

You couldn't have predicted last night's two results, an 'unlikely' London Lions v Wormley Rovers Final then on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, at Rowley Lane, kick off 3.00pm:

Wednesday 30 April 

Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (London Lions win 4-2 3-1 on pens)
Tring Athletic 1 Wormley Rovers 2

Edited May 2 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 01/05/2025 at 11:10, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (London Lions win 4-2 3-1 on pens)

A groundhopper from another Forum was at Chalk Lane, Full Time states that London Lions won 4-2 on penalties:

Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Playoff Semi-Final
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (1-3 pens)
I had hoped to get to Cockfosters early and have a nice sit-down meal in a cafe, but for some reason it took 75 minutes to get out of Southend, so when I finally got to Cockfosters I just parked up and went straight to the ground.
Just as last season, both playoff semi-finals in this league were won by the away team. Cockfosters took an early lead from a corner, but the visitors equalised seven minutes before half time. Cockfosters went back in front in the second half, only for Lions to equalise five minutes later from the penalty spot. Cockfosters were then reduced to ten men for what looked like a fairly inocuous challenge on the Lions keeper.
Five minutes from time Lions had a golden opportunity to go in front when Max Kyte had an open goal, but somehow failed to connect properly. However, a minute later Lions broke away, beat the offside trap and Kyte scored. The referee did not control the game well, and we had a very long period of stoppage time. Ten minutes into it Cockfosters scrambled an equaliser to make it 3-3. In the ensuing celebrations Cockfosters received another red card.
The game went to penalties, and Nathan Bloohn in the Lions goal made three excellent saves, as his side won the shootout 3-1. Lions now host Wormley Rovers, surprise winners at 2nd placed Tring, in the final on Monday for a place in (presumably) the Southern League which will be a huge elevation for one of these clubs.
Didn't hear an attendance figure - I'd guess about 350. One of them was @Tales From The Riverbank3 who will no doubt be along later with a much better match report.

Edited May 2 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

Chap I know said Tring would get beat ‘they have to be the worst side to ever finish second in that league’. I can’t speak as I’ve not seen them but that’s what he told me. 

[Rhodes]

On 01/05/2025 at 11:56, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (London Lions win 4-2 3-1 on pens)

Another groundhopper from another Forum was at Chalk Lane last Wednesday evening:

Also at the Cockfosters v London Lions play off match and the scorers were as follows - Cockfosters 6 mins - JJ Cruz - 1-0, London Lions 39 mins - Mikey Perkins - 1-1, Cockfosters 58 mins - Ethan Rookard - 2-1, London Lions 64 mins - Austin Lipman (penalty) - 2-2, London Lions 87 mins - Max Kyte - 2-3, Cockfosters 90+5 mins - Cory Ugbomah - 3-3
The two home players sent off were Rookard on 67 minutes and Jay Lovell on 90+12 mins. From my perspective, the Rookard challenge on the keeper, Nathan Bloohn was very late and pre-meditated and thoroughly deserving of a straight red. I was pleased that the referee didn’t bottle it and just show Rookard a yellow, as those are the types of challenges that are plainly dangerous and could easily have put Bloohn out of the match completely. Definitely not ‘innocuous’ as ARL mentions, but that’s where we all see incidents differently. The red for Lovell came after he was booked in the first half and presumably the second yellow was for talking back to the referee as the action had stopped at that time.
Bloohn then went on to be the hero saving three of the four penalties with Antonio Mitchell the last of the home players to be denied by the visiting keeper.
Thinking back now about the match, it seemed like a clash between the playground bullies and the younger kids. I realise that Lions had a hell of a lot of experience in their team with most of the players having been there for several years, but they were much smaller in stature than the Cockfosters players, who were much more physical and direct in their play.
After being at the Moulton v Irchester United match last night, it was interesting looking at the difference between the two matches. Both were exciting in different ways with the better football being played last night in the first division play off, compared to tonight’s match in the higher division. Tonight needed a stricter referee and I thought that he kept a pretty tight lid on things in the main with things getting feisty at times.
As ARL mentions, TFTR was in attendance and I was sitting with him for the match, so it will be interesting to read his take on the evenings proceedings later. If nothing else, there were twists and turns during the evening and another match well worth the entrance fee.

Edited May 2 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 01/05/2025 at 11:10, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Tring Athletic 1 Wormley Rovers 2

Groundhopper and photographer 'Local Bus Driver' was in attendance at Cow Lane, see over 85 photographs and a match report:

https://www.tringathletic.co.uk/teams/252691/match-centre/0-6216130/report

[Rhodes]

On 01/05/2025 at 11:56, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (London Lions win 4-2 3-1 on pens)

Well known groundhopper 'Tales From The Riverbank' from another Forum was also at Chalk Lane, he is always 'value for money:

And another at Chalk Lane for an evening of Play Off twists and turns and a very dramatic last half hour
Cockfosters 3 (1 pen) v (3 pens) 3 London Lions - Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Play Off Semi Final.
Very informative programme 32 pages £2.00 - Admission £5.00 (c) - Att. Approx. 350.
Over the course of the return journey there was the occasional deliberation as to whether the following would be better posted in Bognor Prog Ed's 'The Maddest Night of Play Off Matches Ever' thread rather than in WDYG, however although this contest was most certainly eventful, it almost certainly did not contain the utter craziness that was seen elsewhere.
From this angle, this was a slow burner that exploded over the course of the second half and Windy's playground analogy was spot on as it was noticed when the two teams entered the pitch the difference in size and stature between many of the towering and muscular frames of the Cockfosters players and the lesser builds of many of the London Lions team.
The approaches taken by the two teams reflected the above with the hosts being far more direct relying extensively on the long throws hurled into the penalty area by Jay Lovell or the directness of the free kicks and corners delivered by Matt Thomson and the (slightly) more subtle passing approach of the visitors.
Over the course of the opening minutes it looked as if the 'bullies' from Cockfosters would obtain an early capitulation from the visitors as it initially looked as if they would overwhelm their opponents through the forceful nature of their play. The long throws from Lovell were instantly noticeable as was the imposing presence of Jandir D'Cruz who towered a good couple of inches above the tallest London Lions defender. The first Lovell long heave of the evening set the tone as D'Cruz headed narrowly wide.
In addition to the aerial challenges posed by Lovell's throws, the London Lions defence had also to deal with the probing dead balls from Thomson and the first corner swung in from the left saw D;Cruz easily gain the height advantage and he made his header past Nathan Bloohm in the visitors goal that gave the hosts an early lead look remarkably easy.
One of many changes of courses in the direction of the match occurred a few minutes later when the next example of a Lovell long throw saw D'Cruz head a clear chance wide and from that moment onwards the previously subjugated London Lions players discovered their confidence making midfield inroads and started to tentatively push forward. They had a noisy shout for a penalty after a more than suspicious handball allegation against Adam Hastings waved away by the referee and then a well constructed move down the left saw John Levy angle just wide of the far post. In the minutes prior to the interval a leveller for the visitors looked increasingly likely and it duly arrived when a cross from the left by Jake Rinsler deflected into path of Mikey Perkins, whose well placed drive from just inside the penalty area found the gap between the far post and Connor Sansom's dive. Just prior to the interval the visitors could have taken the lead when Max Davis took advantage of a poor defensive header but directed his low drive narrowly wide of the far post. An eventful first half which consisted of two distinct portions culminated with the scores level.
It was over the course of the second half where it was the case that full attention needed to be directed towards the game or else it would have been easy to miss a significant moment. Over the course of opening minutes of the second period, the more direct approach of the hosts prevailed and after a few near misses they regained the lead when a long free kick from Thomson was headed across the face by Hastings and Ethan Rookard was on hand to bundle the ball over the line at the far post. However, as was the case in the first period, the visitors more refined approach made progress against the coarseness of Cockfosters play enabling them to respond effectively to falling behind.
The next turning point in the direction of play arrived in controversial circumstances when Max Kyte taking advantage of some lax home defending was adjudged to have been brought down by Symons just inside the Cockfosters penalty area. The home keeper and many of his colleagues vociferously and lengthily protested (and not without basis) that Symons had reached the ball before Kyte toppled over the outstretched leg. However, as is always the case, the official has the better view and (we hope) a greater perception of how to interpret events and therefore pointed to the spot. Austin Lipman sent Symons the wrong way from the resulting penalty to level the scores.
Events were by then travelling in favour of London Lions as they gained a player advantage when Rookard earned himself a straight red card for a clattering assault on Blohm where from this angle there was more of an attempt to inflict injury on the visiting keeper than reach the ball that Blohm already had in his hands. The dismissal of Rookard clearly had an effect on the home forward line as he was becoming increasingly influential, though it was also clear that Blohm was struggling with his injury and had to receive a further lengthy period of treatment near the end.
The drama though continued apace with Cockfosters despite their deficiency in numbers creating the better chances one of which Jake Anthony hook an effort narrowly over the bar. The problem for the hosts was that they pressed too far forward too frequently and a quick break saw Austin Lipman clip the ball over Symons (and being felled in the process) the loose ball falling kindly to Kyte who placed his shot into the gaping net in front of him. Symons already cautioned was fortunate that the referee chose to ignore the overly forceful challenge that he had inflicted on Lipman. The perception at this stage was that with minutes left and with a player advantage, the visitors were going to gain passage to the POF.
A lengthy period of nearly fifteen minutes stoppage time ensued, though for at least a third of that time play had stopped whilst Blohm received further treatment and there was also a further lengthy stoppage when a London Lions player required the services of the trainer for cramp. When the ball was in play, Cockfosters pushed vigorously forward in numbers in search of a leveller, however this initially eluded with D'Cruz well positioned on the back post heading wide from close range after the nth long punt of a free kick directed forward by Thomson. In what was the tenth minute of stoppage time, a long ball forward from the half way line was flicked on by Hastings, initially it looked as if Antonio Michael was going to direct a shot goalwards, however Cory Ugbomah took over the task and swept the ball past the underprotected Blohm.
There was further stoppage time drama as soon after the already cautioned Jay Lovell was overly argumentative with the referee with the official brandishing the second red card directed towards a home player over the course of the evening. Though there were still a couple of minutes remaining, the nine men of Cockfosters held on to the end and with the Level Five and Six Play Offs having different rules from their higher level counterparts where ET is factored in at the end, it was a case of outcome by penalties.
It is not clear whether the two dismissed players for the hosts Rookard and Lovell were competent penalty takers or not, however there was a noticeable difference between the two teams penalties with Blohm seemingly suffering no ill effects from his earlier injury to make three saves from the four penalties taken by the hosts. Anthony's opening spot kick which lacked power and was placed far too close to the London Lions keeper set the tone. In contrast the opening three penalties for the visitors were confidently dispatched past Symons. There was momentary hope for Cockfosters when Symons pulled off a superb one handed save to deny Yoav Sade-Lichtenfeld the opportunity to win the penalty competition for the visitors, however Blohm saved Michael's penalty for Cockfosters to seal the visitors passage to the POF where they will have home advantage over Wormley Rovers. An example of the vagaries of the Play Off competition where two clubs positioned fourth and fifth in the final SSMLP table, twelve and thirteen points respectively behind second place Tring Athletic compete for the right to gain promotion.
The belief is that whereas the Cockfosters players and management would have been very disappointed at losing this contest, many of the often very long standing home officials would have been less enamoured about the possibility of promotion, which would have involved considerable practical difficulties in making a very hemmed in venue in terms of adjacent housing and foliage acceptable for Level Four. Chalk Lane remains a very homely three sided venues where apart from the two rows of covered seating has no other cover apart from a very small area at the far end. There is very little space available for further adaptations to be made and even with a crowd that was not overly numerous (but still by far the most seen over the course of half a dozen visits made) it looked crowded.
As always good to meet up with the very well travelled Windy of this parish as well as having an all too brief catch up with ARL whose journey from further along the Thames estuary to North London sounded particularly arduous.
By way of contrast, the outward journey between Grays and Cockfosters was remarkably straightforward taking less than ninety minutes even taking into account the obligatory circuitous approach to avoid TFL Zone One and make further (albeit small but noticeable over a period of time) savings. The outward route was repeated on the return leg of the journey with timely connections at Finsbury Park and Walthamstow Blackhorse Road being made possible. The Overground connection was less successful being delayed and therefore the connection onto c2c at Barking was missed. Unlike the previous evening where there was a lengthy wait, the idiosyncrasies of the midweek engineering work replacement timetable favoured and it was only a matter of minutes before a service could be boarded. Indoors at 23.48.

Edited May 2 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 01/05/2025 at 11:10, Rhodes said:

You couldn't have predicted last night's two results, an 'unlikely' London Lions v Wormley Rovers Final then on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, at Rowley Lane, kick off 3.00pm:

Let's get ready to rumble then:

[Rhodes]

Congratulations to London Lions on their promotion to Step 4, groundhopper and Blogger Olly Sims was in attendance:

Monday 5 May 

Premier Division Play-Off Final
London Lions 1 Wormley Rovers 1 (London Lions win 4-3 on pens)

Edited May 6 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 02/05/2025 at 14:54, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 30 April 
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Cockfosters 3 London Lions 3 (London Lions win 4-2 3-1 on pens)

Groundhopper and Blogger Olly Sims was also in attendance at Chalk Lane for the mesmorising Semi Final tie between Cockfosters and London Lions:

Edited May 6 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 02/05/2025 at 14:54, Rhodes said:

Monday 5 May 

Premier Division Play-Off Final
London Lions 1 Wormley Rovers 1 (London Lions win 4-3 on pens)

Groundhopper and photographer 'Local Bus Driver' was in attendance at Rowley Lane, see one hundred photographs: