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 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 we’ve got the experience and a bit of know-how in the squad that’s helped us win games in different ways.

“We have to play the game, not the occasion, and we have to feel confident.

“We’ve pushed hard this year and there’s one more hurdle to come in a two-horse race.

“By hook or by crook, we want to get our nose over the line.”

Lydd were able to call on several dual-registered players in their semi-final victory, with Ashford striker Gary Lockyer and Folkestone trio Ronnie Dolan, Robbie Dolan and James Rogers all turning out for Doyle’s side.

Team news for the final is being kept under wraps but Doyle had no issue using players who’ve hardly featured this season.

“They’re dual-signed,” he said. “Everyone does it. Why wouldn’t we want to put our best team out?

“They were available and they wanted to play.

“This is the best opportunity this club has had to get out of the league and play at the highest level in its history.

“My job is to try and make sure that happens.

“I don’t class those boys as ringers. I consider them part of the squad and so do the rest of the lads.

“At the end of the day, you pick the best side you possibly can to win a game of football.

“If players of a certain standard are available, why would you not play them? I don’t see a problem with that.”

Luke Burdon scored twice, adding to Kenny Pogue’s early opener, while Ronnie Dolan added the fourth as Lydd beat Faversham in front of a midweek crowd of 281.

Lydd hope to see another big turnout at the Lindsey Field as they bid to reach the Premier Division for the first time.

“Hopefully we get another decent crowd in,” said Doyle.

“This could be a real history-making season for us after reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Vase.”