We now know the finalists of the various play-off games that have a relevance to Oxford United.

First the bad news: we have to play both Histon and Stevenage Borough again next season. Histon were beaten 2-0 at Torquay United in the first leg, and although they won the second leg they could only score one goal, meaning that Chris Hargreaves, Lee Mansell, and Tim Sills will get to grace the Wembley turf. Imagine! In the other semi-final, Cambridge United managed to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg to beat Stevenage 3-0 after extra time at the Abbey, so whatever happens a former League club will return whence it came. Wayne Hatswell and Phil Bolland will join the contingent of former-Us in the final.

In the Conference North, Gateshead beat Southport, and AFC Telford beat Alfreton, which means that whoever wins Oxford will face a new opponent, which is nice. Although Telford might be stronger opposition than Gateshead, it's nowhere near as far to drive.

The Conference South final sees a battle of merged clubs, as Hayes & Yeading beat Eastleigh, and Hampton & Richmond beat Chelmsford. This means that, along with AFC Wimbledon, we will have another trip to the Smoke next season, after two seasons without any. We recommend beer and curry.