stitch up ?

[Paul Stephens]

Does anyone know why the Ryman league has changed the play off arrangements. Lewes are now playing the "strongest" team left in the play offs. This is completely different from the draw previously announced, and still showing on the ryman site.

 

I think it is appaling that having beaten Basinstoke they have to play away again, but this latest change seems illogical and unfair.

[BFR]

As I understood it they were always going to be playing away, but to 're-draw' the fixtures so that they play away to Bedford rather than Kingstonian is unfair.

[GarySTFC]

They were scuppered in the fact that they didn't expect Basingstoke (or whoever would have been in 14th in the Prem) to be knocked out by the Div 1 Champions. They've maintained that it was always going to be the strongest team at home against the weakest team which is what it now is.

 

Having said that, they could, and should, have made it much clearer that this would be the case before the draws were made. Everywhere which had the fixtures had winners of match 1 vs winners of match four style fixtures, which now isn't the case.

 

Should be interesting to see what happens between now and kick off, but best of luck to Lewes. If they pull this off and win their fourth match in the space of a week, they'll be more than deserving of their place in the Conference South.

[GarySTFC]

Just seen the following on the non-league mailing list:

 

"A statement from Kingstonian:

 

After a decision from the Football Association, Kingstonian will tomorrow

play Lewes away (note away, not at Harrow Borough) and NOT St Albans City.

The correct interpretation of the play-offs, as carried out by the Doc

Martens and Unibond Leagues, was not followed by the Ryman League who did

not correctly interpret the original instructions from the Alliance

Committee.

 

The club obviously apologises to all supporters for the confusion and will

be in touch with the Ryman League in the very near future.

 

To confirm, tomorrow's Isthmian League play-off matches are:

 

Lewes v Kingstonian

Bedford Town v St Albans City"

[Paul Stephens]

Teletext has now been updated to show the fixtures as above.

[Paul Stephens]

Teletext has now been updated to show the fixtures as above.