Walsall hold off Chesterfield to seal play-off final trip

North Wales Chronicle

16-05-2025

Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Saddlers defended resolutely and effectively sealed progress nine minutes from time through Charlie Lakin's close-range finish.
Armando Dobra netted a stoppage-time Chesterfield consolation but Levi Amantchi responded soon after to ensure Walsall won on the night as well as on aggregate.
Amantchi's goal sparked the first of two pitch invasions, the second coming after the final whistle, as Walsall secured a Wembley date with Notts County or AFC Wimbledon on May 26.
Walsall – who blew a 12-point lead at the top of League Two to end up in the play-offs – started swiftly, seeking the early goal that would kill the tie.
Jamie Jellis raced clear in from the right early on but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by visiting keeper Ryan Boot.
Only four times in the near 40-year history of the EFL play-offs had an away side overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the final.
Chesterfield, though, began to threaten as Dobra tested Saddlers keeper Tommy Simkin with a fierce drive from 25 yards.
Bim Pepple threatened several times to break clear for the Spireites but was well marshalled by the home defence and when he did find space on the edge of the box, he dragged well wide.
Just before the break, Pepple had another chance when he broke free of his marker in the area but could only bobble a harmless scuffed shot that was easily collected by Simkin.
Chesterfield had the ball in the net after the interval as Jenson Metcalfe drilled into the corner from 20 yards but the whistle had long gone for a handball by the midfielder in the build-up.
Walsall should have wrapped matters up with 17 minutes left as George Hall sprinted clear to square for Amantchi but, with only Boot to beat, the substitute's finish was too close to the keeper.
But Lakin made no such mistake on 81 minutes, bundling home fellow substitute Albert Adomah's cross from a couple of yards out to put the tie's outcome beyond doubt.
Chesterfield gamely attempted a late fightback as Kyle McFadzean's shot was well blocked by Harry Williams and Ryan Colclough's strike was straight at Simkin.
After Amantchi and Taylor Allen both dragged shots inches wide for Walsall, the visitors did claim a 94th-minute consolation when Dobra steered home from a clever Will Grigg touch.
But Walsall had the last word a minute later with Adomah the provider again, his deep cross nodded into an empty net by Amantchi at the far post.