Fans key to ending play-off hoodoo

By David Watters

Bognor Regis Town manager Jamie Howell and Dulwich Hamlet's Gavin Rose are both hoping to consign the recent records of their clubs in the Ryman League's promotion play-offs to history.

After falling short twice in the past three seasons, Howell is hoping the fans of the Ryman Premier's runners-up will be their secret weapon at Nyewood Lane on Thursday night when they host fifth-placed finishers Wingate & Finchley.

“We have no problem getting in them but winning them seems to be a different story,” joked the Rocks boss, pictured, ahead of the semi-final clash in Sussex.

“We’ve got to switch on to the challenge of these playoffs and hope this year is out year. We need the fans on our side right the way through.”

Wingate are the season’s surprise package in the Ryman Premier's top flight and Howell doesn't expect them to roll over for anyone either. He added: “They deserve to be there. We will have to be on the top of our game.”

Hamlet boss Rose is hoping the energy from a bumper crowd at Champion Hill will transmit to the legs of his players after a long hard season and history-making run to the last eight of the Buildbase FA Trophy while keeping their promotion hopes alive.

The gate could top the 3,000 mark and Rose said: “We did well in the FA Trophy and it could easily have been a distraction for obvious reasons – the glamour, the fact we went so far and the games we had to catch up. The players have met that challenge and now we have another one – to go up through the play-offs.”

Enfield have gone about their job quietly this season and Towners boss Bradley Quinton reckons his side are ready for the pressure of a big crowd.

“We’re not going to Dulwich to make up the numbers,” said the former Braintree Town striker ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off in south London. “We’re in the play-offs on merit and our aim is to go up.”

Image courtesy of sussexfa.com

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Where next?

Semi-finals are live and exclusive! Follow the race for promotion in the Ryman League's top flight on Thursday night's live scores!
Fan parking won't be a problem! They'll be plenty of parking available for the bumper crowd expected at the Ryman South promotion play-off final between Dorking Wanderers and Corinthian-Casuals.

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