Rocks ready for play-off showdown

For the third time in six seasons, the Rocks take in Dulwich Hamlet in a Ryman League play-off tonight.
Connor Tighe scores the fourth goal against Hendon last weekend / Picture by Tim HaleConnor Tighe scores the fourth goal against Hendon last weekend / Picture by Tim Hale
Connor Tighe scores the fourth goal against Hendon last weekend / Picture by Tim Hale

After finishing second, Jamie Howell’s team welcome the south London side to Nyewood Lane knowing a win will put them within one game of promotion to National League South.

Defeat on the other hand would give them another season in the Ryman premier.

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If they win they go through to Monday’s final, which would be at home to Tonbridge or East Thurrock, with a coveted place in National League South at stake.

The Rocks missed the Ryman title and automatic promotion by just a point but have done superbly to finish second in a season which also saw them make great progress in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

Tonight is their 65th competitive game and boss Jamie Howell admitted anything could happen.

“It’s a play-off and you just can’t predict what will happen,” said Howell.

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“Our home form is excellent and we must aim to continue it tonight, and then a second time if we get to the final.

“There was a little disappointment at not winning the league but if you’d offered us second spot at the start of the season we’d certainly have taken it.”

Bognor lost to Dulwich in a Ryman one south play-off semi-final in 2011, but beat them in the final a year later.

Recent absentees Craig Robson and Alex Parsons could be in the squad after getting over injuries.

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Howell and coach Darin Killpartrick are hoping a huge crowd pack into the Lane to cheer on Bognor in their fourth play-off in six seasons.

Killpartrick said: “We have a team who are fully prepared for this and know what we want them to do. We have a lot of respect for Dulwich Hamlet and it should be a great, close game.

“We need everyone behind us.”

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