Former Conference rivals Stevenage Borough have emerged as the early favourites to win the Blue Square Premier League and take their place within the Football League.

Borough, who were Conference champions in 1996, narrowly missed out on a play off place last season, yet are hotly tipped to lift the championship crown for the second time next season. The price which many bookies are quoting for Boro to be victorious in 2009 is a competitive 6/1

Other early pace setters in the betting odds are Mansfield Town at 8/1 whilst the two sides relegated from League Two, Mansfield and Wrexham are also right up there.

In terms of relegation from the Conference, favourites at the moment are Weymouth, with Eastbourne, Lewes, Barrow and Woking not too far behind.

Super-Silkmen.com will bring you the early League Two odds as and when they are announced.

Following the League Two play off final today, the twenty four clubs who will compete in Coca Cola League Two for the 2008/09 season have been finalised.

These are -

Accrington Stanley

Aldershot Town

Barnet

Bournemouth

Bradford City

Brentford

Bury

Chester City

Chesterfield

Dagenham and Redbridge

Darlington

Exeter City

Gillingham

Grimsby Town

Lincoln City

Luton Town

Macclesfield Town

Morecambe

Notts County

Port Vale

Rochdale

Rotherham United

Shrewsbury Town

Wycombe Wanderers

Stockport County edged past local rivals Rochdale in an entertaining play off final at Wembley this afternoon.

Dale took the lead mid way through the first have when Rory McArdle’s powerful header flew past keeped Conrad Logan. Looking at the goal, it did seem that Adam Le Fondre impeded the keeper somewhat, yet the Hatters did not have to wait too long for their own slice of luck.

From a short Stockport corner, the ball was whipped in and Nathan Stanton was unlucky to see his arm deflect the ball past a wrong footed Tommy Lee.

Anthony Pilkington put the Hatters ahead just after the break with a powerful header, before Liam Dickinson’s near post thunderbolt left Lee with no chance.

Stockport by this time were well on top, but Dickinson’s goal served as a catalyst for the Lancastrians who upped their game for the remaining period. They were given just reward when Adam Rundle hammered a glorious volley passed Logan, however it proved to be too little to late as Stockport ended their three year stay in the League’s basement division.

Stockport County and Rochdale are just over three hours away from the biggest match of the League Two season at Wembley – but who do you want to get that fourth promotion spot?

Rochdale is a nice place to go to, most of their fans are ok, and normally the day out runs very smoothly. County, in my opinion are arrogant pieces of work from the top down – believing that they are better than they really are. The ground is a shambles, as proved by our Easter trip to Edgeley, and their fans are in the main, idiots.

The question is, do I want County to win just to get them out of our League?

Well I thought about it for a second or two and nah, come on the Dale!

Former Silkmen forward Matty McNeil could be in line for an unexpected recall for the League Two play off final against Rochdale tomorrow afternoon.

McNeil has been out of action for the past six months with a knee injury, yet could be in line to claim his place in the County defence.

Further to this Gareth Owen has been passed fit for the Hatters, although he must wear a protective mask (a la Stevie Wood) to protect his broken cheekbone. Michael Raynes has been less successful in his quest for fitness, whilst the calf problem which threatend Dominic Blizzard is said to have eased.

Dale will have David Perkins absent for the final after his semi final red card was upheld, and Lee Thorpe also misses out due to a leg injury.

Peterborough United keeper Joe Lewis has been drafted in to the England squad to face America and Trinidad next week.

The move comes after Chris Kirkland was forced to withdraw from the squad following a back injury and Capello had no hesitations bringing the rookie in.

Lewis, who has just gained promotion to League One with Posh, is their record signing after a £400,000 move from Norwich at the start of the year.

Yet, nobody could have expected his call up which highlights the increasing standard within League Two.

Should the keeper make an appearance for England, then he will hold the honour of being within a minute list of players who have played for England whilst being out of the top two divisions domestically.

These include Wolves legend Steve Bull and Peter Taylor, however the trip will give the kepper massive amounts of experience for the forthcoming League One campaign.

Super-Silkmen.com would like to congratulate Joe, and wish him all the best for the week ahead.

Some encouraging news has come from Keith Alexander’s former club, Lincoln City this week, as Peter Jackson is expected to be back in work in the next few weeks.

Imps Chairman Steff Wright has told the BBC that he expects Jackson to return to the club very soon, following his battle with throat cancer.

It is thought that Jackson’s voice has now returned and he is itching to get back in the City hotseat.

Wright stated that –

“He’s passionate about making something happen at Lincoln City. It’s a good situation out of a very difficult one.”

Rumour has it that Lincoln fans will get their first glimpse of the Manager at their EGM on 29th May.

Super-Silkmen.com salutes Peter Jackson in his battle, and wishes him all the best for the forthcoming season and his future in general.

Shrewsbury Town striker Guy Madjo will miss the start of the 2008/09 season after being called up by Cameroon for the Beijing Olympics.

Gaffer Paul Simpson has staed that he has no problem with releasing the player, and it will be an honour for the club to see one of their strikers play on the world stage.

The moves marks a distinct change in attitude from the Shrews as former Manager, Gary Peters revealed his annoyance at international call ups on numerous occasions during his tenure.

Madjo will join his team mates in a training camp in France in June, before the action begins on August 8th – the day before the start of the new season!

Super Silkmen.com would like to wish Guy all the best and hope that he reflects well on Shrewsbury Town and League Two in general.

Two of our local rivals lock horns this weekend as Rochdale and Stockport County take part in the League Two play off final at Wembley.

The bank holiday bonanza is said to be one of the most eagerly anticipated League Two final in years, with the Dale aiming for a first promotion in around five hundred years and County aiming to attain their previous status of Championship contenders.

Although I do fancy County to win on the day, I hope that I am wrong and the Dale spring a surprise. I have always had a soft spot for Rochdale and think that they deserve promotion more than those arrogant jokers from Edgeley.

The match will also prove to be a reunion for Dale Keeper Tommy Lee and County defender Jimmy McNulty. Both have turned out for the Silkmen over recent years and Lee was released by the club at the start of the week.

Wembley Prediction

Rochdale 2 Stockport 1