logo
Walsall hold off Chesterfield to seal play-off final trip

Walsall hold off Chesterfield to seal play-off final trip

Leader Live16-05-2025
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Newport set to secure training base in Treforest
Newport set to secure training base in Treforest

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Newport set to secure training base in Treforest

Newport County are close to a deal to use University of South Wales Sports Park as their permanent training League Two side have prepared for the start of the season at the facility in Treforest under new manager David Exiles are close to finalising an agreement to stay there throughout the campaign after previously being based at Newport Stadium, their former home before a move to Rodney Parade in Huw Jenkins made improving training facilities a top priority after his takeover in January 2024."In the next two weeks we are going to finalise a rental agreement with USW," said the chairman at a Newport County Supporters' Trust event."We are 80-90% done but need to just get back in and meet finalise things for ourselves and the academy to be there."USW Sports Park has been one of the venues used by County in past seasons when poor weather forced them into late training start their season on Tuesday when they travel to face Barnet in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup, before a League Two opener against Notts County at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 2 August.

Colchester defender Iandolo out for up to 12 weeks
Colchester defender Iandolo out for up to 12 weeks

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

Colchester defender Iandolo out for up to 12 weeks

Colchester United defender Ellis Iandolo will be out of action until October with a knee 27-year-old was not involved in the pre-season 5-0 win at Dagenham and Redbridge on that win, U's manager Danny Cowley told BBC Essex that Iandolo had damaged medial ligaments during training."We are all with Ellis, he's such an important player to us so that's a tough one for us to take," Cowley said. "It was just an innocuous tackle in training on Friday and it's just opened up his knee, they are always hard to say but I would imagine he's out for 10 to 12 weeks."Left-back Iandolo played 50 times for the U's in the 2024-25 also had an update on the future of last season's top scorer Lyle Taylor."I think we are hopefully moving closer to getting something agreed," he said."Lyle is injured himself, from the injury that he did last year. We really missed him at the back end of last season."He is now in the final stages of his rehab and we are hoping he is going to be back on the grass at the end of this week."We're really hopeful we can get something which is agreeable for all parties."Colchester kick off their League Two campaign at home to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, 2 can listen to a full interview with Colchester boss Danny Cowley on BBC Sounds here.

Chesterfield defender Gordon signs deal until 2027
Chesterfield defender Gordon signs deal until 2027

BBC News

time4 hours ago

  • BBC News

Chesterfield defender Gordon signs deal until 2027

Chesterfield defender Lewis Gordon has signed a new contract with the club until the summer of 24-year-old left-back joined the Spireites after leaving Bristol Rovers last summer and was a regular as Paul Cook's side reached the League Two play-offs."I'm very happy to sign a new deal. I enjoyed my first year here at Chesterfield and I am looking forward to the season ahead," he said., external "Hopefully I can contribute to achieving our goal for the year. It's a great group of lads and we are all ready for the season."Chesterfield begin their League Two campaign against Barrow on 2 August.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store