SSML Prem Play-Offs

[Rhodes]

21 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 1 May
Premier Division Play-Off Semi Finals
Harpenden Town 1 Leverstock Green 3

Just to say it was an amazing attendance of 917 at Rothamsted Park last Wednesday evening, was that a record for the Club which was founded in 1891 however they have never progressed beyond the First Qualifying Round in the FA Cup or, surprisingly, beyond the Second Round proper in the FA Vase. There was a fixture against a full strength Watford side to commemorate the completion of the Centenary Stand as well as the installation of floodlights in 1990/91 but doubt that attracted a huge attendance:

[Rhodes]

On 03/05/2024 at 12:57, Rhodes said:

An eagerly awaited SSML Premier Division Play-Off Final on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, at Pancake Lane between Leverstock Green and FC Romania, kick off 3.00

Many congratulations to Leverstock Green on winning the Premier Division Play-Off Final 3-0 against FC Romania on bank holiday Monday, see their match report and the match programme. Also see coverage of the proceedings from groundhopper and blogger Oliver Sims who was in attendance at Pancake Lane: 

https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/240506f/

https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/fc_romania_programme_a6b74e2ac4dba9?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

Edited May 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Action from the Premier Division Play-Off Final on a wet bank holiday Monday between Leverstock Green and FC Romania, courtesy of the 'Full On Football' blog who were in attendance at Pancake Lane:

Edited May 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 04/05/2024 at 11:26, Rhodes said:

Just to say it was an amazing attendance of 917 at Rothamsted Park last Wednesday evening, was that a record for the Club which was founded in 1891 however they have never progressed beyond the First Qualifying Round in the FA Cup or, surprisingly, beyond the Second Round proper in the FA Vase. There was a fixture against a full strength Watford side to commemorate the completion of the Centenary Stand as well as the installation of floodlights in 1990/91 but doubt that attracted a huge attendance

Action from the Premier Division Play-Off Semi Final between Harpenden Town and Leverstock Green last Wednesday (1 May), courtesy of the 'Full On Football' blog who were in attendance at Rothamsted Park:

 

Edited May 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A groundhopper from another Forum was at Pancake Lane and gives a detailed report:

Leverstock Green 3 FC Romania 0. Spartan South Midlands Premier play-off final. Admission: £8. Programme: £2. Crowd: 914.
This was no doubt attended by various WDYG illuminati.
A match that was historic for the home Club - promoted to Step 4 for the first time - but bitterly disappointing for FC Romania who simply did not turn up.
Two surprise finalists for this play-off final, the teams having won away at Harpenden Town and MK Irish in the semis respectively.
I spent lunchtime in a St Albans pub gloomily watching the rain come down, which didn't augur well for how a crowd of almost a thousand would manage to keep dry in a venue that has shelter for 200 at most.
It was still raining after I arrived at the ground. At about 2.25pm, the officials emerged to go through their pre-match warm-up. One could detect a little concern from them about the amount of water on the pitch. Rain continued for much of the afternoon and it was always going to be a case of which team adapted to the conditions best.
Leverstock Green made a strong start. There was an early scare for the visitors when German Petrov misjudged a pass and Rawn Seale had a glimpse of goal. But the ball held up in surface water and the opportunity vanished.
Moments later, Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica forced a save from Elgi Fejzo. Then a shot from distance by Dan Pett just cleared the crossbar.
It was now apparent that one corner of the pitch, at the end the home side were attacking, was particularly saturated.
The first half finished goalless and FC Romania had made little impression - however, the same was true during their semi-final win at MK Irish in which they scored three second-half goals.
But it was the home side who scored first after the restart; Pett heading in a cross from the right by Callum Neal.
There was a penalty appeal for Leverstock Green when Stefanoaica and Jay-Jay Goncalves tussled inside the box with both ending up submerged in the mud, but the referee ignored the appeals.
With FC Romania still struggling to pose a threat, Neal made it 2-0 for the hosts on 77 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Promotion was then secured a few moments later when FC Romania failed to clear a free-kick into their box with the ball forced over the line. Seale was credited as the scorer.
"Let's all go to Berko," barked a jubilant home fan in the dying moments. And why not? It even has a castle.

[Rhodes]

Over 120 photographs from the from the Premier Division Play-Off Final at Pancake Lane, courtesy of groundhopper and photographer Local Bus Driver:

Edited May 10 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Some further highlights from the Premier Division Play-Off Final between Leverstock Green and FC Romania last Monday and the presentation, courtesy of Leverstock Green. Also see another match report from an attendee at Pancake Lane:

Leverstock Green 3-0 FC Romania | Patreon

Edited May 16 by Rhodes