Latest news with #playofffinal
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
League Two line-up for 2025-26 season confirmed as Latics secure promotion
Big moment - Oldham Athletic's James Norwood celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Vanarama National League play-off final against Southend (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire) ON-LOAN Colchester United defender Ben Goodliffe suffered Wembley heartache after Southend United were beaten 3-2 by Oldham Athletic in the National League play-off final this afternoon. It looked as though the Shrimpers would be returning to League Two after they went 2-1 up in extra-time but two quickfire goals secured the Latics promotion back to the EFL, after a three-year absence. Advertisement It was a dramatic match with plenty of twists and turns throughout. In front of a record crowd of 52,115 at Wembley, substitutes James Norwood and Kian Harratt scored within the space of two minutes after Leon Chambers-Parillon had restored Southend's lead just seconds into extra time. An early own-goal from Manny Monthe had given the Shrimpers the lead, but was cancelled out by Joe Garner's penalty after Monthe had been brought down in the area. Oldham boss Micky Mellon unsurprisingly named the same starting XI which won 3-0 against York in the semi-final, only to see his side concede their first goal of the play-offs with just four minutes on the clock. Advertisement Gus Scott-Morriss pounced on a loose pass in midfield and chipped the ball into the area for Charley Kendall to chase and his presence was enough to pressure the unfortunate Monthe to loft the ball over his own goalkeeper. Garner came close to an equaliser when his header from Tom Pett's corner came back off the post and Oldham felt they should have had a penalty when Mike Fondop went down in the area under a challenge from Harry Taylor. Taylor did not appear to get much of the ball but referee Elliot Bell waved away the appeals and the Oldham fans suffered more frustration in the last minute of the half as Fondop missed a golden chance to equalise. Advertisement A defensive clearance was charged down and left Fondop through on goal, but after clipping the ball over goalkeeper Nick Hayes he could only look on as it drifted agonisingly wide of the post. It took less than a minute of the second half for Oldham to finally get back on level terms, Garner calmly scoring from the penalty spot after Monthe had been brought down in the area. Neither side was able to find a winner in normal time but Southend regained the lead just seconds into extra-time, goalkeeper Mathew Hudson parrying a deflected cross from Scott-Morriss straight on to the head of substitute Chambers-Parillon to head into the empty net. Advertisement Oldham refused to throw in the towel and Norwood got them back on level terms for the second time when he latched on to a long ball through the middle and took a deft touch around Hayes before slotting the ball into an empty net. And just two minutes later Oldham grabbed the winner as Harratt's curling cross evaded everyone in the area before nestling into the far corner to send the Latics fans wild.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Blues go head to head in Wembley play-off final
Former Carlisle players Joe Garner, left, and Jack Bridge, right, meet in today's National League play-off final (Image: Barbara Abbott / Richard Parkes) Two former Carlisle United players go head to head at Wembley today - for the right to avoid facing the Blues next season. The National League play-off final sees Oldham Athletic and Southend United compete for a place back in the EFL. Advertisement The outcome will complete the line-up of Carlisle's opponents in the 2025/26 season. And there are familiar faces on both sides as the respective clubs bid to escape the fifth tier. For Oldham, striker Joe Garner is making a second Wembley appearance in the space of three years. The veteran frontman was in the United XI that started 2023's League Two play-off final victory over Stockport County. Now he is set for a key role in the National League final, having played a significant part in Oldham's run to Wembley. Garner, who had four spells with Carlisle, has scored in both the Latics' play-off games to this point. Advertisement He netted in their 4-0 eliminator victory over FC Halifax Town. And then the 37-year-old scored to set Micky Mellon's side on their way to a 3-0 win at York City in the play-off semi-final. Garner's four league goals this season have all come at the business end as Oldham eye a return to the EFL after a three-year absence. The frontman left Carlisle to join the Boundary Park club in January 2024, at the end of his fourth United spell. In total since 2006, Garner scored 33 goals for the Blues in 120 appearances. Standing in his and Oldham's way is a Southend side that includes former Blues midfielder Jack Bridge. Advertisement The 29-year-old has already had a significant impact on the Shrimpers' play-off run so far. He came off the bench to scored their extra-time equaliser at Forest Green Rovers that forced a 2-2 draw and a penalty shoot-out. And Bridge was among the players to convert from the spot as Kevin Maher's side progressed to the final. Bridge had also started Southend's 4-3 eliminator win over Rochdale to boost the club's bid to return to the EFL after four years in the fifth tier. The midfielder was on Carlisle's books from 2019-2020, making 35 appearances and scoring three goals. Oldham are 6/4 favourites to win the final with Southend 15/8. Kick-off is 3pm.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I know how special this club is': Kevin Maher's Southend close to EFL return
Kevin Maher is no stranger to winning promotion with his beloved Southend. The club stalwart helped them earn back-to-back promotions as a player in 2005 and 2006 and was a near ever-present in their season in the Championship in 2006-07. Now he stands on the verge of a managerial achievement that could possibly eclipse anything from his playing days, given the Shrimpers' recent travails. Even the lofty heights of League Two have seemed unreachable in the past few years. Many Southend fans assumed for a long time that a route back to the Football League this season would prove beyond them after finishing seventh, 28 points behind second-placed York. But those struggles on and off the pitch help to explain why Maher is so keen to grasp this opportunity, as Southend prepare to face Oldham in the National League playoff final at Wembley on Sunday. Advertisement Related: The accidental Shrimper: American student becomes Southend fan after boarding wrong boat Maher says it will be a proud moment to lead out his players given his affiliation to the club, which dates back to 1998 when he signed as a 22-year-old from Tottenham. He never got the chance to play at Wembley despite competing in three playoff finals – all were staged in Cardiff as England's national stadium was being rebuilt. Yet despite the emotion his approach is a calm and measured one. 'It's not the occasion, it's what it entails, it's the game itself,' he says. 'Hopefully we've got many more days to come with success for the football club and this is an opportunity we want to take. Playoff games are cup games, so anything can happen. What you've got to do is come out on the right side of results and we've managed to do that so far.' Peaking in the playoffs is always an art form and Southend have indeed come good at the right time, battling past Rochdale and Forest Green, who finished fourth and third in the league respectively, to reach Wembley, where they will be backed by close to 25,000 fans – the capacity of the game upped to 50,000 after Shrimpers' fans lobbied MPs for their ticket allocation to be increased. It could have been more but for unfortunately timed engineering works closing Wembley Park tube station. Advertisement 'It's madness,' says Maher. 'I guess us and Oldham have put a spanner in the works. We as a club could have taken close to 40,000 with us . So you could have had 70,000 in the stadium for a game in the fifth tier of English football. 'I'm gutted for the fans who have missed out. It always seems to be fans who suffer when there's bureaucracy going on.' The demand for tickets shows not only the size and history of Southend but the belief and passion Maher has instilled in the club. They finished the regular season with home attendances at Roots Hall nearing 10,000 – double what they were attracting when he took over in October 2021. Back then the club had just endured back-to-back relegations, falling into non-league in a tailspin of debt, missed wage payments and winding-up orders from the high court. In 2023 the situation was so dire fans started making plans for a phoenix club, and there was a points deduction in 2023-24 before finally a sale to Justin Rees, the new chair, saved the club from liquidation. Advertisement Maher remained in his post through all the chaos, a guiding hand on the tiller. Few understand the club's history like him. 'It's the story of what the club is,' he says of the era of financial struggles. 'We don't shy away from that or dismiss what's come before. First and foremost we should be proud that we have a football club. You wouldn't have this football club without people sticking with us and being loyal. But we always look forward as well. 'I've been at this football club and we've won things, even as under-23s manager, and that's my focus. We will be incredibly proud of the players no matter what they do, but the focus is winning.' Perhaps that is where Maher's vast experience will truly count. He knows results will ultimately define him and Southend, and how badly the club need Football League status to continue their story. Oldham, for a long time rivals of the Shrimpers in League One and Two, are apt opponents in the playoff final and crave promotion for similar reasons. So what would victory on Sunday mean to Maher? 'It would mean everything, of course, that's an easy one. I know how special Southend is as a club. But I don't allow myself to get carried away because I've got too much respect for our opponents. We'll make sure we are ready when we cross the white line. It's about performing on the day. You enjoy it more when you win.'
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘I know how special this club is': Kevin Maher's Southend close to EFL return
Kevin Maher is no stranger to winning promotion with his beloved Southend. The club stalwart helped them earn back-to-back promotions as a player in 2005 and 2006 and was a near ever-present in their season in the Championship in 2006-07. Now he stands on the verge of a managerial achievement that could possibly eclipse anything from his playing days, given the Shrimpers' recent travails. Even the lofty heights of League Two have seemed unreachable in the past few years. Many Southend fans assumed for a long time that a route back to the Football League this season would prove beyond them after finishing seventh, 28 points behind second-placed York. But those struggles on and off the pitch help to explain why Maher is so keen to grasp this opportunity, as Southend prepare to face Oldham in the National League playoff final at Wembley on Sunday. Maher says it will be a proud moment to lead out his players given his affiliation to the club, which dates back to 1998 when he signed as a 22-year-old from Tottenham. He never got the chance to play at Wembley despite competing in three playoff finals – all were staged in Cardiff as England's national stadium was being rebuilt. Yet despite the emotion his approach is a calm and measured one. 'It's not the occasion, it's what it entails, it's the game itself,' he says. 'Hopefully we've got many more days to come with success for the football club and this is an opportunity we want to take. Playoff games are cup games, so anything can happen. What you've got to do is come out on the right side of results and we've managed to do that so far.' Peaking in the playoffs is always an art form and Southend have indeed come good at the right time, battling past Rochdale and Forest Green, who finished fourth and third in the league respectively, to reach Wembley, where they will be backed by close to 25,000 fans – the capacity of the game upped to 50,000 after Shrimpers' fans lobbied MPs for their ticket allocation to be increased. It could have been more but for unfortunately timed engineering works closing Wembley Park tube station. 'It's madness,' says Maher. 'I guess us and Oldham have put a spanner in the works. We as a club could have taken close to 40,000 with us . So you could have had 70,000 in the stadium for a game in the fifth tier of English football. 'I'm gutted for the fans who have missed out. It always seems to be fans who suffer when there's bureaucracy going on.' The demand for tickets shows not only the size and history of Southend but the belief and passion Maher has instilled in the club. They finished the regular season with home attendances at Roots Hall nearing 10,000 – double what they were attracting when he took over in October 2021. Back then the club had just endured back-to-back relegations, falling into non-league in a tailspin of debt, missed wage payments and winding-up orders from the high court. In 2023 the situation was so dire fans started making plans for a phoenix club, and there was a points deduction in 2023-24 before finally a sale to Justin Rees, the new chair, saved the club from liquidation. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Maher remained in his post through all the chaos, a guiding hand on the tiller. Few understand the club's history like him. 'It's the story of what the club is,' he says of the era of financial struggles. 'We don't shy away from that or dismiss what's come before. First and foremost we should be proud that we have a football club. You wouldn't have this football club without people sticking with us and being loyal. But we always look forward as well. 'I've been at this football club and we've won things, even as under-23s manager, and that's my focus. We will be incredibly proud of the players no matter what they do, but the focus is winning.' Perhaps that is where Maher's vast experience will truly count. He knows results will ultimately define him and Southend, and how badly the club need Football League status to continue their story. Oldham, for a long time rivals of the Shrimpers in League One and Two, are apt opponents in the playoff final and crave promotion for similar reasons. So what would victory on Sunday mean to Maher? 'It would mean everything, of course, that's an easy one. I know how special Southend is as a club. But I don't allow myself to get carried away because I've got too much respect for our opponents. We'll make sure we are ready when we cross the white line. It's about performing on the day. You enjoy it more when you win.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Southend vs Oldham National League play-off final capacity upped
The capacity for the National League play-off final has been increased to 50,000, the Mayor of London's office has United are due to kick off against Oldham Athletic on Sunday for a prized place back in the English Football initial decision to cap numbers at 40,000 by Wembley Stadium was met with uproar by fans - and Labour politicians in Southend lobbied ministers over the issue.A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said the latest announcement recognised the stature of the two clubs. "Both teams are former Football League clubs, but the ticket allocation was determined by the stadium and set at 40,000 before it was known which clubs would be competing," said the spokesperson."Following negotiations with Wembley Stadium, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, Sadiq Khan and [Mayor of Greater Manchester] Andy Burnham have now confirmed that capacity has been increased to 50,000." Last week, Wembley Stadium said it was concerned about safety because Wembley Park station was due to close because of engineering ticket allocations for both clubs were limited to 17,500, not including coach packages they Shrimpers Trust supporters' group said excitement for the game had been "trampled on by the seemingly-amateurish planning of several key stakeholders".Former Southend, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and England striker Stan Collymore also said fans had been "unfairly punished".David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, called the situation "ridiculous" and wrote several joint letters with Labour colleagues addressed to ministers and authorities. Extra train services have since been laid on for the Bakerloo Line into Wembley Central, and by Chiltern Railways into Wembley Stadium after the mayor's announcement, Southend United said it would sell a "final batch of tickets" from 19:30 club has already sold 25,000 seats, which includes coach BBC contacted Wembley Stadium for comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
