Posted by: @dorking-eagle

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I think after a play off defeat people feel all sorts of emotions and often looking for blame is an easy option. We were searching for answers ourselves (although hopefully in a reasoned and constructive way)

The obvious thing is to go to is most recent 'travesty of justice' - so in our case, the Josh Taylor red card at Bath. But of course overlooking our own errors - the suspensions from Brookings red cards, the lack of subs (and freshness on the pitch) at Hampton that drew them forward to equalise, or going all the way back to August, how on earth we didn't win at Torquay when we dominated them all game.

I always think about the week early in the season when we lost to Aveley and Weymouth in 6 days (I know we were struggling with injuries, but it still felt like two very winnable games). Aveley had 10 men for over half the game, and we still didn't win despite it basically being attack against defence for 60 minutes. Those 6 lost points turned out to be crucial.

Posted by: @calvertskans

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Should also add that there is a chance that Oxford City are moved back to the NLS and both Gloucester and Merthyr go to the NLN.

Whilst there is a chance of that, I have a feeling that leagues try to leave clubs where they are for 3 years unless it it seriously geographically necessary.

Although it could be you only get left where you are for 3 years after a forced moved across.

@matthewpont Yup, and the 3-3 at home to Salisbury will live rent free in my head forever 🙃

Posted by: @calvertskans

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@matthewpont Yup, and the 3-3 at home to Salisbury will live rent free in my head forever 🙃

I often think of the bloke in front of me who left at 2:0 to, I presume, "miss the traffic", and must have wondered WTF happened when he presumably found out later he'd missed 4 goals!

@calvertskans Please God, no.

@calvertskans That is the most likely scenario.

Oxford do not belong in the NLN, and the NLN is a better standard than the NLS. It makes sense they argue the case to move back to NLS, to improve their chances of promotion. Gloucester previously played in NLN.

On the grass v plastic pitch front for next NLS season, it looks like the following:

- Losing at least 4 grass pitches (Weymouth, St Albans, Welling, Truro and possibly either Boreham Wood or Torquay)

- Losing at least 1 plastic pitch (Aveley and possibly one of Maidstone/Eastbourne and potentially Hemel Hempstead)

+ Gaining at least 4 grass pitches (Ebbsfleet, Dartford or Dover, 2 of Maidenhead/Wealdstone/Dagenham and possibly Totton)

+ Gaining at least 1 plastic pitch (Horsham and potentially Merthyr, Gloucester or Oxford)

Torquay lose to Boreham Wood, so another trip to the English Riviera next season (I am there right now actually!) 😀 

Today (Sunday) we learn which one of Eastbourne Borough or Maidstone is staying in the NLS for next season

Personally I hope Eastbourne stay down, so much more friendly towards us fans. Nice clubhouse and club shop, friendly volunteers, lovely burgers from the food hatch, and no segregation needed.

Posted by: @dorking-eagle

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Today (Sunday) we learn which one of Eastbourne Borough or Maidstone is staying in the NLS for next season

Personally I hope Eastbourne stay down, so much more friendly towards us fans. Nice clubhouse and club shop, friendly volunteers, lovely burgers from the food hatch, and no segregation needed.

You got your wish as Maidstone won 2-1. So 5th play 7th in the final.

Shows how bang average teams in the top 7 have been all season really!

We would have been at home to Maidstone in the final if we'd have beaten B'wood and Torquay.

I will be very surprised if both of the promoted teams aren't relegated straight away (esp with the travelling Truro will have to do)

At least we keep some trips to nice places next season - Eastbourne, Torquay and Worthing all by the seaside!

@dorking-eagle Yep. A frustrating season tbh - but fun in a lot of ways too.

I still maintain we remain, on paper at least, the best side in the NLS. I'd also say we would have beaten Maidstone in a final, too. 

Frustrating to know we would have had a home play-off final as well

Very happy to have some fun away trips to the coast next season. Can’t decide who I want to win play off final: Maidstone the bigger club, better ground and fan base; B Wood better pitch and easier to get to. 

Frustrating as we were better than Maidstone for sure. The Wood could make a case for having the better chances against us over 3 games and they certainly have some talented players.  But overall a fun season - more so away than at home though, where the football was sometimes dull before Christmas. 

Agree we should be strong for next season, especially if we can sort dodgy home form and very dodgy last ten minutes +  injury time. Which may require fresh legs, as we have discussed. 

Would much rather Boreham Wood went up as I think they are the bigger threat next to us next season. I've also done their ground many times now.