Wood Win Play Off Final - Borehamwood vs. Whitehawk

The new stand at Meadow Park

As I had a wedding reception the following weekend, this was my last Saturday of the season. I had a choice between Rayleigh Town versus Manford Way in The Essex Olympian League and The Conference South Play Off Final which was between Borehamwood and Whitehawk. Against my better judgement I went for the later. This was a revisit as I had visited Meadow Lane for an FA Trophy tie against Romford in the 2010-11 season which was their first season in the Conference South. Whitehawk have flown up the leagues in recent season and my visit to The Enclosed Ground was in the same season for an FA Cup tie with Hendon back in their Ryman South days. Back to this season and the two sides had finished in second and fourth respectively and had both won the away legs of their semi finals to get to this stage.

Kick off in the big game

As you'd expect in such a game, the opening stages are quite cagey and both sides best chances come from free kicks. Whitehawk's is a header that goes just wide and the Borehamwood player is perhaps a touch lucky not to get booked for the initial foul. Borehamwood's chance from a free kick is when the attacker finds himself in space at the back post but he only finds the side netting. Into the second half and Whitehawk come close with another header from a set piece. The opening goal comes when a free kick from a clumsy foul finds the bottom corner to put the home side ahead. Whitehawk equalise when the attacker is bundled over in the box and the resulting penalty is buried past the keeper. There are no further goals and the match goes to extra time. The Borehamwood winner is a volley on the turn which the Whitehawk keeper had no chance of saving. The home defence survive the onslaught to claim their place in The Conference Premier for next season. 

The impressive Whitehawk following

Borehamwood is on the regular Thameslink line and trains take about half an hour from St Pancras. Meadow Park is then a fifteen walk away through the town centre. Five minutes from the ground is The Wishing Well which is perfect for the early kick off. The clubhouse has been significantly expanded since my previous visit and now is a lot bigger and now also has Sky Sports. While waiting for my train back I visited The Alfred Arms which is around the corner from the station.

So that's my last post of the season. Throughout the summer I'll be aiming to fill the gaps in The Combined Counties and Ryman Leagues as well as The Conference South.

Whitehawk attack in the first half