Lydd Town handed home advantage for Southern Counties East Division 1 play-off final against Tooting Bec | No witch-hunt against Bec, says Lydders boss

Lydd Town are out to make unexpected home advantage count in the Southern Counties East Division 1 play-off final.

The Lydders should have been travelling to league runners-up Tooting Bec for a 7pm kick-off in today’s promotion showdown.

But the fixture has been switched to 3pm at the Lindsey Field after Bec, who play home games at Chipstead FC, informed the league their ground was now unavailable.

The Londoners had previously offered a 7pm kick-off as a solution in the event of reaching the final, with landlords Chipstead in league action at 3pm.

However, following their semi-final victory over Larkfield & New Hythe on Wednesday night, they subsequently told the league the ground couldn’t be turned around in time, with Chipstead using the clubhouse for end-of-season awards.

FA guidelines dictate if a club can’t use their normal home ground, then the tie should be reversed.

Lydd, who finished two points behind Bec in third place, are the beneficiaries after beating Faversham Strike Force 4-2 in the other semi-final.

Bec claimed on Twitter the league had “scheduled the final when they knew our pitch wasn’t available”, describing the switch as “more motivation to get out of this league”.

“They’re reading too much into it,” said Lydd boss Mickey Doyle.

“It’s not the league’s fault. Personally, I think the final should be played at a neutral venue but rules are rules.

“There’s no witch-hunt against against anyone.

“We’ve got home advantage now and we’ve just got to do our job.

“I said before the play-offs Tooting Bec were the in-form side. Going up there would have been difficult but now they’ve got to come to us.

“We’ve had a few hiccups along the way in the last six or seven games but we’ve got the job done, and I think