DIDCOT Town reached the final of the Southern Football League play-offs for the first time in fourteen years, beating Walthamstow 3-1 on a memorable night at Loop Meadow.

The visitors had lost their last three going into this tie, and Didcot made the brighter start. Josh Hedges, a livewire all evening, was joined in attack by Seth Humphries and on-loan maverick Patrick Osbourne. Hedges and Humphries tried to break in behind the high line inside two minutes, but nothing came of it.

Walthamstow did begin to grow into the contest. They came close moments later, when a corner was cleared initially but the header back in from captain Carl Mensah narrowly missed Duncan Culley as it drifted wide.

The breakthrough would eventually come and to no one’s surprise at the moment, it was from a corner. Initially it wasn’t obvious who poked home but Cameron McNeill, fresh from his London Marathon on Sunday, wheeled away in celebration towards the masses packed behind the railway end. Hysteria.

The atmosphere only grew with large groups chanting, dancing and bouncing, giving life to this ground that has seen some wonderful moments in its time, especially this season.

The fairytale ending was even closer just before the half-hour.

Finding form at the right time, Oxford City’s on-loan forward Patrick Osbourne was in space for the rebound off of a cross into the box, one touch to set himself before a finish that will be remembered for some time. A great volley to double Diddy’s advantage. Walthamstow were out of form, but they did look rattled here.

In front of a crowd of 628, Didcot started the second half much like the first. Osbourne was involved once more linking up with Humphries on the near side, but the cross had no takers and sailed inches wide of Robinson’s goal frame.

Demaray Anyadike had the visitors best chance of the night up until now. Whether a lack of confidence or great pressure from ‘keeper Leigh Bedwell, but the Stow forward was clean through and only needed to slot home but he opted to find Culley on the cut back. The chance was eventually hooked off of the line by McNeill and Adam Learoyd.

Breathe.

Just after the hour Hedges could’ve arguably put the game to bed, after Mensah misjudged the flight of the ball over the top leaving the Diddy forward one-on-one with Robinson, but the latter got down to his left to beat away with a strong left hand.

How big of a moment would that prove to be as Walthamstow would go up the other end and see Culley tripped up in the area. Penalty given. The 600+ strong crowd could barely watch.

Culley’s penalty smashes the crossbar and bounces down, but no Diddy player can react in time before Anyadike smashed in the rebound. Deficit halved, tension building.

Jenson Wright & Joe Green would come on off the bench in a change of shape, adding an extra body at the back and Wright’s presence would give Humphries the chance to drop into his more natural deeper position, giving a more fluid front three heading into the final minutes.

With six minutes to go Walthamstow thought they got level through Culley but to everyone in red and white’s relief, the flag was raised for offside.

Phew.

Wright was influential in his cameo and confirmed all the reasons why he’s in the frame for player of the season as his cross for fellow substitute Adam Smith was pinpoint.

Low in across the box, Robinson couldn’t commit in time and the former Thame United strike finished first time to write his name into Didcot Town folklore and seal the win.

History makers. It all comes down to Monday afternoon. You won’t want to miss this.

Next Up: Ware (H) - Southern League Play-Off Final. 3pm KO.

Photo: Anthony Hanc - Twitter.