2016-17 National League South

[Joe.]

I know a lot of Stones keep going on about it, and we still are surprised he wasn't part of your plans, but given your form it's worked out well for us both. Win win!

He was injured early part of the season and McMahon favoured Rance/Powell/Deering, and then Drury came in. Really unfortunate, considering he was hands down our player of the year last season. Also, the only bright spark in that Jamie Day side end of the season before.

As I said on our FB page, it's no surprise you guys love him. Gills fans did, Wycombe fans did and we certainly did (and do!). 110% every game, passion and commitment second to none, and good at what he does. Does a lot of dirty work in midfield that generally goes unnoticed. Stones fan I work with loves him.

You can't argue with our form since he's been gone, but I'm still slightly gutted he's not, and won't be here any longer. All the best to him though, deserves the best.

 

[Aberstone]

Wealdstone 1-1 Hemel Hempstead Town (Att: 781)

Two points dropped despite playing 70 minutes with ten men. Second half was one way traffic with us all over Hemel but it took until the 89th minute for Danny Green to fire home in a congested penalty area. Hemel had taken the lead from a Kyle Connolly rebound after Callum Driver had headed against the post. Aryan Tajbakhsh was then sent off for a swipe at Charlie Sherringham after the latter had clattered into him.

Second half as mentioned was played exclusively in Hemel's half, Jamie Butler wasn't tested enough but we had plenty of chances to grab the equaliser before it eventually arrived. Joe White heading over from 2 yards out and an open goal was particularly spectacular. Driver was sent off with 15-20 minutes to go for an off the field incident on Ryan Sellers, looks like he also kicks out from the highlights.

Hemel's following was laughably bad for such a local game, being extremely generous it was 50 at best. In amongst them were a half dozen lads clad in casual gear who were dying for a scrap.

As for the redevelopment works, no idea what's going in it's place, but this is what the ground looks like right now:

Highlights

 

[Joe.]

Truro 1-1 Ebbsfleet. Att: 500 and something with around 100-120 from us I would say.

First half proved costly in the end, we were awful. Created enough in the second half to win it, but it just wasn't happening. Struck the bar twice, and their keeper made 2 or 3 fantastic saves. Practically gives Maidenhead the title, barring losing twice with us winning the remaining four.

 

[mowgli]

Truro 1-1 Ebbsfleet. Att: 500 and something with around 100-120 from us I would say.

First half proved costly in the end, we were awful. Created enough in the second half to win it, but it just wasn't happening. Struck the bar twice, and their keeper made 2 or 3 fantastic saves. Practically gives Maidenhead the title, barring losing twice with us winning the remaining four.

If Maidenhead draw with you i'd say it's all over for Ebbsfleet,whatever happens it's been a great season for both teams and your run of consecutive wins was outstanding. When is the game at Maidenhead?

 

[yellow]

If we were to come down, would we be the first ex-FL side in this league?

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Maidstone?

 

[Kim Mitten]

If we were to come down, would we be the first ex-FL side in this league?

As a non-reformed side, then maybe, South certainly, at this level in the pyramid it wouldn't be, obviously Stockport, Boston and Kidderminster are there already, think Gainsborough Trinity are also another non-reformed ex-league team.

Would all depend on what you see as a club 'continuing' as the likes of Maidstone, Aldershot, Darlington and Newport have all be much lower down the non-league ladder.
I'm pretty sure there are many ex-league teams playing much lower, not even reformed, the likes of Nelson, Workington and Ashington spring to mind.

 

[yellow]

Yeah I was thinking more South. I had looked at the sides in the league this season and thought that Wealdstone had been an ex-FL side in their current guise - not sure why I thought that but it appears I was wrong.

Fingers crossed it doesn't happen, although I fear survival will just be delaying the inevitable in the long game under our owners..

 

[Silver Stone]

You would be the first side there on footballing "merit", yes, though Stockport achieved the same feat in the north. As was said, ourselves and Newport as phoenix clubs have been there.

 

[Aberstone]

Yeah I was thinking more South. I had looked at the sides in the league this season and thought that Wealdstone had been an ex-FL side in their current guise - not sure why I thought that but it appears I was wrong.

Fingers crossed it doesn't happen, although I fear survival will just be delaying the inevitable in the long game under our owners..

We won the Conference in 1985 but Lower Mead wasn't good enough for consideration of being elected into the Football League. You'll be able to correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Truro's owner (Peter Masters) have connections with Gaming International? All seems rather sinister and Masters isn't exactly popular with the Truro Independent Supporters Association...

If you came down, would the away followings remain consistent with what you're getting in the National? Appreciate that supporters may well boycott home games to try and force the owners hand.

 

[Joe.]

If Maidenhead draw with you i'd say it's all over for Ebbsfleet,whatever happens it's been a great season for both teams and your run of consecutive wins was outstanding. When is the game at Maidenhead?

It could be over before then, unfortunately! We play them on April 22, with two games to go before then. Even if we win our four remaining games, we'd be relying on Maidenhead losing/drawing (potentially the difference between us winning it outright or on GD) a further game. With an Easter Monday trip down to Truro, anything is possible! Margate or Concord certainly won't beat them.

We've had a fantastic 2017 (16 unbeaten now, 13 wins) so we will be going into the play offs in good shape should we not win the league.

 

[Joe.]

Picked up my ticket for Maidenhead today. At a guess I'd say 300-350 will be sold by the end of today, so selling them for the rest of the week and at the home game with Eastbourne on Saturday could see the remaining 250-300 sell out, although I guess some people will wait to see if the game has anything riding on it.

Maidenhead play on Friday, so they'll be looking to put the pressure on us. Concord at home for them, you have to fancy them to record a comfortable win and match, or even beat our current GD. Stranger things have happened of course, I just can't see it.

 

[Kim Mitten]

I think the question on everyone's minds in the Conf. South at the moment is; if Chelmsford can win the playoffs will Rod Stringer finally be able to pick out his own company car?

 

[Joe.]

Circa 400 sold apparently. Not bad considering Saturdays result.

 

[Harrier94]

So along with Darlo, Poole can't compete in the playoffs because of their ground.

 

[Joe.]

So along with Darlo, Poole can't compete in the playoffs because of their ground.

Absolute farce this league is.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Is Hungerford`s ground fit for the play offs?

 

[Raymondo316]

Is Hungerford`s ground fit for the play offs?

From what i hear they don't have enough seats either. So it looks like 7th place will be taking the last playoff spot

 

[Joe.]

From what i hear they don't have enough seats either. So it looks like 7th place will be taking the last playoff spot

And then Chelmsford will go tits up, allowing 8th place in. Would probably go up too.

 

[Etty Abrics]

Hampton & Richmond (7th) v Wealdstone (8th) on Saturday...

 

[Silver Stone]

Hampton & Richmond (7th) v Wealdstone (8th) on Saturday...

MASSIVE

 

[Aberstone]

I'm hearing conflicting news on the 500 seats, whether they have to be in by March 31st or permission for it with them being installed by the start of the playoffs. If it's the former, that's us out and if it's the latter then I believe Hungerford will sneak in by a clever interpretation of the rules.

We don't deserve a playoff spot anyway.

 

[yellow]

I see Chippenham are promoted to this league next year.

Jesus christ.

 

[Chris FGR]

Chips aren't too bad, there's much worse then them in Conf South for you to look forward too.

 

[Aberstone]

Looking forward to a visit to Chippenham next season. If there are no decent pubs in the town centre beforehand, Bath is only 10 minutes further on the train...

 

[rudebwoyben]

I see Chippenham are promoted to this league next year.

Jesus christ.

There is still a possibility that Wingate & Finchley (my local team when I was growing up) can get into the Ryman Premier play-offs. They have a 'fanbase' of about 100.

 

[JaredSUFC]

Massive win for Maidenhead yesterday. I think even though Ebbsfleet play today the gap is too wide and psychologically it may be even wider. Providing we do stay up, I'm looking forward to another trip to York Road

 

[#Beebot]

Never really in doubt yesterday, Concord offered little and spent most of the game fouling and spoling. The foot has been taken off the gas a little in the last few games but that's understandable as the nerves kick in I think. Nearly there....

 

[Silver Stone]

I see Chippenham are promoted to this league next year.

Jesus christ.

Yeah of all the sides in the Conference South, Chippenham would be one of your better trips along with Bath.

Wait til you go to Concord or Whitehawk....

 

[mowgli]

H/T Ebbsfleet 0 Eastbourne 1. Hold on Borough!