Ryman Premier play-off final action review

By David Watters

Ryman Premier Play-off Final

Despite there being ten points difference between the teams in the regular season, Margate, who finished third, overcame runners-up Hendon to win the Ryman League Premier Division play-off final on Sunday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Terry Brown`s side will now take their place in the newly-named National League South for the first time since 2005.

A crowd of 1,228 battled to get to Earlsmead where Hendon groundshare with Harrow Borough amidst the hordes of Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town supporters on their way to nearby Wembley.

And Hendon`s task became extremely tough after just 14 minutes when they had Aaron Morgan sent-off for a challenge on Tambeson Eyong deemed dangerous by the referee.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game came with six minutes of the first half remaining when Freddie Ladapo squared the ball to Ryan Moss to slot home from close range.

Despite being down to ten men, Hendon forced Margate on the backfoot on many occasions in the second half, but the Kent side had heroes in defender Charlie Wassmer and Eyong who managed to keep much of what the Greens had to offer away from keeper Nikki Bull.

Image courtesy of Andy Nunn

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