PLAY-OFF FINAL | DIVISION ONE CENTRAL PREVIEW

Bedford Town v Waltham Abbey

The Pitching In Southern League Division One Central play-off final takes place on Monday afternoon and sees Bedford Town host Waltham Abbey.

The hosts were beaten to the title on the final day of the season as they finished second with 69 points and seven defeats from their 36 League games, the fewest number in the division. They ended the campaign two place and eight points above their opponents.

“Waltham Abbey have already beaten us here this season so we will be looking to make amends for that and redress the balance,” stated defender, Carl Mensah. “We’re going to have to be up for it and at it right from the first whistle. To be honest, you shouldn’t need any extra motivation for these type of games, it should all come naturally.

“For me, losing in the play-offs last year with Walthamstow has made me even more determined not to go through the same again this time around. I am glad to have another opportunity and I intend to grab it with both hands.”

At the opposite end of the pitch, Kieron Cathline, admits that both teams on show are very similar but at the same time, he knows that he is going to be in for a busy afternoon.

“There is no getting away from the fact that it will be a tough game,” the defender told us. “Bedford Town have a lot of attacking talent; both games against them in the League this season have been tight, so it should be another hard-fought contest, as it was when we met only last month.

“We expect them to be direct, physical and with plenty of pace. I think we’re two similar teams in some ways, which is why it’s always close games with them.”

We congratulate both teams on getting this far – may the best team win.

The Southern League has produced a 40-page online Magazine which reviews the season and contains an in-depth preview to all four of our play-off finals. It’s FREE to download, so please share far and wide… CLICK TO DOWNLOAD