Latest news with #JamilleMatt
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Walsall hunting redemption after losing 12-point lead at League Two summit
Walsall were flying high at the top of League Two in January but then went winless across 13 games. They face AFC Wimbledon in the play-off final at Wembley on Monday Wembley provides the chance of redemption for Walsall. The Saddlers were 12 points clear at the top of League Two in January before the wheels fell off for Mat Sadler's side. A 13-game winless run meant they slipped out of the automatic promotion places but play-off semi-final victory over Chesterfield has given them a chance to ensure their disastrous second half of the season is forgotten. They take on AFC Wimbledon on Monday with a spot in League One up for grabs. Walsall captain Jamille Matt, speaking exclusively to Sky Bet, said: 'It's been good to get through to the play-off final, especially in the last few months, we were on a bad run. "I knew the characters that were in the dressing room, and we never lost that belief in ourselves. Our aim was to just go out there and prove to everyone else that we've still got the quality to get through to the final." Hometown hero Matt added: 'It's been a privilege for me to be captain of Walsall. I grew up in Walsall, not far from the stadium, so it's just amazing for me. 'It's a full circle moment for me, playing for them in League Two, being the captain, these are all pinch me moments. However, it's only a dream come true if we can go to Wembley and get the result that we want." Walsall beat Wimbledon at Plough Lane earlier this season before a 1-1 draw against the Wombles on home soil. Liam Gordon is part of the Walsall team having spent some of his younger days in south-west London. He said: 'Facing AFC Wimbledon does give me extra motivation considering I spent time there during my youth career. It didn't work out for me there, but I don't hold any grudges towards them. "I've got a few friends who were with me at Wimbledon, who are coming to the game this weekend, so it feels like I'm playing for them as well. It's another game of football and I'm looking forward to the challenge. 'Everyone is excited, but it's just another game of football. Once that whistle blows, you forget where you are and forget what's around you – all you're focusing on, is what's on the pitch and what's happening at the time. 'Once that first whistle blows, it must get treated like any other game.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
4/1 odds for there to be 10+ shots on target Monday - as AFC Wimbledon and Walsall clash in the League Two Playoff final
There are four Price Boosts on offer for Monday's League Two Playoff final - as AFC Wimbledon and Walsall clash at Wembley. The first two boosts requires there to be 10+ match shots on target in 90 minutes, and Jamille Matt to score a header in 90 minutes. The odds for those two bets have been enhanced to 4/1 and 9/1 respectively according to Sky Bet. 4/1 odds for there to be 10+ shots on target in the League Two Playoff final on Monday These two sides combined to have 24 shots in the reverse fixture - a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. Additionally, Matt has netted 12 goals in the League Two this season - four of which were headers. Meanwhile, the other two boosts need AFC Wimbledon to win 2-1 in 90 minutes at 12/1, and Mathew Stevens and Matt both to score at 16/1. Stevenson and Matt have combined to score 29 goals at a league level this campaign. Sky Bet Price Boosts for AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall: 10+ match shots on target in 90 minutes WAS 11/4 NOW 4/1 Jamille Matt to score a header in 90 minutes WAS 7/1 NOW 9/1 AFC Wimbledon to win 2-1 in 90 minutes WAS 10/1 NOW 12/1 Mathew Stevens and Jamille Matt both to score WAS 12/1 NOW 16/1
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall prediction: Saddlers to punch League One ticket
AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall tips: Walsall to win by one goal - 10/3 Bet365 Jamille Matt to score at any time - 14/5 BetVictor AFC Wimbledon and Walsall face off in the final EFL Play-Off match of the weekend as they look to secure their place in League One for next season. At the start of the year, Walsall were 12 points clear at the top of the League Two table and looked to be coasting towards promotion back to League One. They won nine games in a row from the beginning of December to the middle of January and sat 15 points clear of then fourth-placed Wimbledon. But just two wins from their next 20 games meant they had to sit by and watch as Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford City went up automatically. The bizarre thing was that despite that form, a win at Crewe on the final day, while Bradford were being held by Fleetwood, meant they were moments away from achieving automatic promotion. Antoni Sarcevic's goal six minutes into added time gave Bradford a last-gasp win and left the Saddlers to pick themselves up and take on the play-offs. They beat Chesterfield 4-1 over the two-legged semi-finals, while Wimbledon beat Notts County 1-0 both home and away to set up Monday's match. AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall betting tips: Saddlers to sneak it Just four points ended up separating the two sides in the League Two table and there was little to split them over their two meetings. The first match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium was won 1-0 by Walsall, with Nathan Lowe on target. That was one of 18 goals scored by the striker who spent the first half of the season on loan from Stoke City, and their huge dip in form coincided with his return to the Bet365 Stadium. The return match, at the end of March, ended 1-1 after a late strike from Taylor Allen cancelled out Omar Bugiel's opener to secure the Saddlers' seventh draw of 2025. Football betting sites are also finding it hard to separate the two sides, with Wimbledon the narrow favourites at 9/5, while you can get 2/1 on a Walsall win and 21/10 on a draw after 90 minutes. This is only the third time that Mat Sadler's side have reached a play-off final, and they have won promotion on the two previous occasions. They beat Reading at the Millennium Stadium in 2001 and Bristol City back in 1988, winning promotion to the second tier on both occasions. Wimbledon have only appeared in the Play-Offs once, since they were founded in 2002, and they have a 100 per cent record winning promotion to League One back in 2016, beating Plymouth Argyle 2-0 at Wembley. Both sides have won their last three games, and if Walsall can rediscover any of their early-season form, then they should be the ones celebrating - but their confidence is fragile after their fall from grace, so that first goal could be vital. AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall prediction 1: Walsall to win by one goal - 10/3 Bet365 AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall: Matt to enjoy another promotion Walsall striker Jamille Matt has plenty of play-off experience and will be hoping that counts for something on Monday. The 35-year-old finished second top scorer at the club, after Lowe, with 15 goals, but he has struggled since his strike partner returned to his parent club. He has managed just three goals since Lowe's last match, which incidentally was a 5-1 win over Tranmere Rovers at the Bescot Stadium, but he will make life difficult for the Wombles' defence. He was part of the Fleetwood team that beat Burton Albion 1–0 in the 2014 Football League Two play-off final, and watched on injured as Blackpool beat Exeter 2–1 in the 2017 League Two play-off final. He has also tasted defeat, losing the 2019 League Two play-off final, when Newport County were beaten 1–0 by Tranmere after extra time. Betting sites have him at 13/2 to score first or last, or you can get 14/5 on him scoring at any time. AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall prediction 2: Matt to score at any time - 14/5 BetVictor Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tranmere's Finley gets 13-game ban for homophobic slur
Tranmere Rovers midfielder Sam Finley has been handed a 13-game ban for making a homophobic comment to an opposition midfielder, 32, admitted a Football Association charge of misconduct over a comment made to Walsall striker Jamille Matt during a League Two game in has also been fined £2,000 and ordered to complete an education programme following a Regulatory Commission hearing. More to follow.
