Heybridge OUT!

[Ryan.c]

Hampton win play-off 3-2 on pens!

[Dan Sampford]

Fair play to Hampton. First goal came off one of Hamptons' defenders to make it 1-0 just before the break. Mid way into the second half Hampton scored from a corner after a header came off the bar. There was also come good defending by Hampton where they cleared the ball off the line 3 times. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

[Simon BTFC]

Well done to Hampton...

 

For the second year running the team that finished 2nd bomb out and the team that finished 5th reach the final!

[GazzaBTFC]

well done to Hampton...

 

Well, it's back to heybridge next season....for some well earned revenge.

[bomberbass]

gazza, do ua lot a favor, take 6 pionts off them next season. cheers fella

[joe_FAFC]

Poor Heybridge, 10 months work destroyed over a couple of spot kicks. Its not on as they have been consistently a far better side in the league than Hampton. Playoff farce, its not right!!

 

Regardless of keeping interest for teams, this needs to be looked at. If the league is intent on keeping the playoffs there should at least be two legs (Home and Away).

 

As for us, I'm nervous as hell and personally think the 2,500 Womble fans will swing it to AFC's favour.

 

But I've got my tickets reserved so I'm all set. Any neutrals going to tonights game its all ticket and so reserve them before hand. Number to call is on the Fisher site, news section.

 

Also there is a fair chance of trouble tonight as with all big Fisher games we normally get a load of Millwall supporters jump on the Fisher bandwagon and they're not best fond of Wombles. Of course not a threat but a warning. I know some Fish fans aren't taking their kids just in case.

 

Atmosphere could be quite heated and uncomfortable tonight but hopefully the large police presence will keep things under control...

[Tom_smalleyBTFC]

Joe....if it wasnt for the play-off the league would have been over by january.... for everyone minus braintree/fisher/heybridge.

 

like the premiership...all though chelsea had a small blip, they still won the league quite comfortably. its boring for everyone else.

[Elliott]

Im glad Heybridge didnt go up - revenge will hopefully be sweet next year. And im also glad you guys didnt go up either. Not cause of the gloating factor but for the reason that at least our games generate a bit of spectator interest. (and that we will gain six points from you !!)

[joe_FAFC]

Quote:

Tom_smalleyBTFC said:
Joe....if it wasnt for the play-off the league would have been over by january.... for everyone minus braintree/fisher/heybridge.

like the premiership...all though chelsea had a small blip, they still won the league quite comfortably. its boring for everyone else.

Fair point Tom, of course there are pro's and con's to the playoff debate that have been covered countless times before. Fair enough as we were pushed into third (albeit we took our foot off the gas against Chelmsford) I'm up for the playoff challenge. I believe though a home & away leg would be fairer as the better team would invariably go through as opposed to a one off game where anything can happen. It also would suit us better as we can't win at home but beat 16 teams on the road.

Although its a one off game tonight so Wimbledon will need to come out and play a bit more than they would usually with an away game.

I've decided to look at tonight as an occasion to savour. Its a 3,000 capacity sell out tonight, how often do I see that happen!! (don't answer that!) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Although promotion is the aim, I know one thing that is for certain and that is we'll be even stronger next year regardless of promotion with a more stable setup. This gives me great comfort....

[Andy g]

I know some will say it's easy for me to say ,as we have got the promotion we so desired. But remember we went through the play-off heartbreak last season but as was said earlier in the thread it does keep the season alive for a lot of clubs.

It may not be fair but we all know the score....DO WE NOT.

[c'mon ricay]

Everyone knows the rules. Personally I support the play offs system as at adds so much excitement and tension to the end of the season imagine how boring and meaningless the last few months of the season would have been without the play off. Also think how much lower gates would be I reckon you could take a hundred or so off our average for the season if the play offs were not their which leaves a major dent in the clubs budget. The attendance at Heybridge was more than double their seasons average and was their third biggest of the season behind AFC and CAC where the away support would have been far larger so when it gets down to the play off games it is an invaluable money spinner for the teams concerned

[jl]

Quote:

c'mon ricay said:
so when it gets down to the play off games it is an invaluable money spinner for the teams concerned

I don't think 37.5 pc of a gate of 589 will make much of a dent on the Heybridge budget c'mon. It will be interesting to see if their thriving social club will continue to be able to fund the likes of Nicholls, Jolly and Holdsworth for another season.