It's Hawks v Cannons!

After ninety nine tense minutes at Whitehawk, and one hundred and twenty even more nerve wracking minutes at Ramsgate- followed by a penalty shootout- we now know the identities of our Pitching In Isthmian South East Play Off Finalists- and we'll be back at the Enclosed Ground on Friday night to watch the Hawks welcome the Cannons.

Whitehawk welcomed Beckenham Town last night. We expected it to be rather close, and indeed it was, a header from Nathan Cooper just before the hour mark the only goal of the game. It was a match with few chances, but the visitors goalkeeper Nick Blue was undoubtedly busier than his Hawks counterpart and on that basis the outcome was indeed the right one. You can read our report on that one by heading here.

The Hawks will welcome Hythe Town, the Cannons eventually triumphing at Ramsgate. The Rams had defeated Hythe three times this season prior to last night's match, but the transformation wrought by Steve Watt at Reachfields following that third defeat on Boxing Day has been incredible- perhaps the greatest feat of the South East season. The Cannons were fifteenth as they welcomed in the New Year, but charged up the table, defeating- amongst others- Whitehawk and champions Chatham Town on their run to fifth place. Let nobody say that they aren't deserved finalists, coming into the play offs on a six match winning streak which was last night extended to seven.

A big part of that success has been built on solid defence, so it was no real surprise when the match reached the ninety minute mark without a goal- but it was advantage Rams four minutes into extra time, Theo Osinfolarin opening the scoring. Six minutes later, however, Frannie Collin- who has had a magnificent spell in front of goal in recent weeks- added his sixth goal in seven matches, this one from the spot, to take the match to a penalty shootout. In front of a crowd of one thousand, one hundred and fifty one the visitors kept their nerve, and won the shootout by four goals to three.

The Final will kick off at 7.45 on Friday evening. The Hawks and the Cannons have each defeated the other at home this season, so on that basis Whitehawk will start as slight favourites- but truthfully this one looks too close to call, and we've no doubt that Town will relish being the underdogs once more.

Congratulations to both sides, and we'll see you on Friday.

Image courtesy of Kyle Hemsley.

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