SSML Division One Play-Offs - 2025/26

[Rhodes]

Following recent results, here are the provisional Division One Play-Off Semi Final ties for the right to be promoted to Step Five next season, there is however still some uncertainty as to whether Everett Rovers will be promoted due to ground eligibility and if not then Desborough Town will take their place as 'Champions'. Stotfold Reserves, who finished fifth in the table, are ineligible for promotion so sixth place Belstone take their place, New Bradwell St Peter will join the play-off process should Desborough Town be automatically promoted, it's all rather 'un-satisfactory isn't it:

 

Division One Play-Off Semi Finals (Option 1)

 

Desborough Town v Belstone 

 

Eaton Socon v Ampthill Town 

 

Division One Play-Off Semi Finals (Option 2)

 

Eaton Socon v New Bradwell St Peter 

 

Ampthill Town v Belstone

Edited April 21 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

There is quite a lot of activity on another Forum about the uncertainty of the situation, I gather Everett Rovers are confident that they will definitely be given automatic promotion with ground improvements being made at Dodd Road to meet Step 5 criteria:

Only Eaton Socon vs Ampthill showing on full-time for SSML1, Stotfold Reserves finished 6th, I assume they are available. There are questions over Champions Everett Rovers grading for Step 6 so could that mean Desborough in second get automatic promotion and New Bradwell enter the play-offs.

Stotfold Reserves (5th) are ineligible. If Eaton Socon v Ampthill is confirmed (3rd v 4th) then the other play-off has to be 2nd v 6th. If Everett Rovers (1st) were ineligible, Desborough (2nd) would be promoted and the playoffs would then be Eaton Socon (3rd) v New Bradwell St Peter (7th) and Ampthill Town (4th) v Belstone (6th).

I noticed this this morning , very odd, nothing on social media from any team as far as I can see. I have been told by a League Official that Everett have planning permission to complete the work required for Step 5, thus giving them until March 31st next season to comply which, I assume, essentially overrides the requirement to comply for Step 6 for this season. Stotfold are ineligible due to the fact of not having Reserve sides above Step 6.

According to some posts on twitter, Desborough misunderstood the process and were asking for a bye to the play-off Final rather than play Belstone. It's clear in the rules but Desborough apparently were unhappy to play a team outside the top 5.

Edited April 21 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

I understand that following Everett Rovers confirmed promotion to Step 5 it is 'as you were' with the two Division One Play-Off Semi Finals taking place next Tuesday (28 April):

Tuesday 28 April (kick off 7.45pm)

Division One Play-Off Semi Finals

 

Desborough Town v Belstone 

 

Eaton Socon v Ampthill Town 

[Rhodes]

58 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 28 April (kick off 7.45pm)
Division One Play-Off Semi Finals
Desborough Town v Belstone
Eaton Socon v Ampthill Town

How do we see the Play-Off Semi Final going at River Road, it would be nice to see Ampthill Town back in the Premier Division for the first time since 2014/15:

Edited April 24 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Eaton Socon may be suffering the effects of a long season and two recent Cup Final defeats:

Edited April 26 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 24/04/2026 at 14:42, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 28 April (kick off 7.45pm)
Division One Play-Off Semi Finals
Desborough Town v Belstone
Eaton Socon v Ampthill Town

Let's get ready to rumble for the two Play-Off Semi Finals this evening with Desborough Town very much favourites to beat Belstone:

[Rhodes]

Fairness prevailed then, a Desborough Town v Eaton Socon Final to take place on Saturday (2 May) at Waterworks Field:

Tuesday 28 April 

Division One Play-Off Semi Finals

Desborough Town 1 Belstone 0

Eaton Socon 2 Ampthill Town 2 (aet, Eaton Socon win 7-6 on pens)

Edited May 5 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

8 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 28 April 
Division One Play-Off Semi Finals
Desborough Town 1 Belstone 0

Groundhopper and blogger Mullered Sports was in attendance at Waterworks Field:

Edited April 29 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 29/04/2026 at 16:13, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 28 April 
Division One Play-Off Semi Finals
Eaton Socon 2 Ampthill Town 2 (aet, Eaton Socon win 7-6 on pens)

The heartbreaking, for Ampthill Town, penalty shoot out from River Road, also see a match report:

https://www.eatonsoconfc.uk/match-report/930656

Edited May 5 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 29/04/2026 at 16:13, Rhodes said:

Fairness prevailed then, a Desborough Town v Eaton Socon Final to take place on Saturday (2 May) at Waterworks Field

Let's get ready to rumble for this afternoon's Division One Play-Off Final:

[Rhodes]

Congratulations to Desborough Town on gaining promotion back to Step 5 level with a thrilling 4-3 win over Eaton Socon after extra time, they are now likely to leave the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) after two seasons and return to the United Counties League (UCL). Groundhopper and blogger 'Mullered Sports' was in attendance at Waterworks Field providing excellent coverage, also see a match report:

https://www.eatonsoconfc.uk/news/heartbreak-at-the-playoff-final

Edited May 6 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 29/04/2026 at 16:13, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 28 April 

Division One Play-Off Semi Finals

Eaton Socon 2 Ampthill Town 2 (aet, Eaton Socon win 7-6 on pens)

The match programme cover for the Division One Play-Off Semi Final at River Road:

Edited Monday at 21:44 by Rhodes