We’re one step closer to finding out the rest of Yeovil’s opponents in next season’s National League. Below is a list of remaining participants, those struck through have been eliminated from contention – if you want to see how the quarter finals played out, click here.
Participants
| Final Position | National League | National League North | National League South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (Champions) | Chesterfield | Tamworth | Yeovil Town |
| 2nd | Barnet | Scunthorpe United | Chelmsford City |
| 3rd | Bromley | Brackley Town | Worthing |
| 4th | Altrincham | Chorley | Maidstone United |
| 5th | Solihull Moors | Braintree Town | |
| 6th | Boston United | ||
| 7th |
We learned the fate of the second relegated side from League Two on Saturday; Forest Green Rovers were confirmed as relegated on 16th April, and have since been confirmed as finishing in 24th. The second relegation spot was contested between Colchester United and Sutton United, and it was Sutton who were relegated, despite a 4-4 thriller vs MK Dons. Let’s see how the rest of the playoff sides have fared, and who is off to Wembley!
Results
Heading into the semi finals, the fixtures were as follows:
National League
Barnet vs Solihull Moors
Bromley vs Altrincham
National League North
Scunthorpe United vs Boston United
Brackley Town vs Chorley
National League South
Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town
Worthing vs Maidstone United
The first set of games were played on Saturday, with two 3pm kickoffs for the Tier 2 sides. There have been no goals in open play for any of the National League North teams, and it stayed that way as Scunthorpe United and Boston United went to extra time, and then penalties in front of a crowd of over 8,000! It was Boston’s for the taking, but they missed their 5th penalty, forcing sudden death. A scuffed penalty from Liam McAlinden meant Boston United went through to the final, and condemning Scunthorpe to another season of regional football.
The National League South game provided much more entertainment, as a local derby took place between Chelmsford City and Braintree Town. The odds were stacked against the visitors, having not beaten Chelmsford since 2010, but looked to have ended the duck after taking a two goal lead thanks to Leon Davies and Freddie Sears, with half an hour to play. Chelmsford fought back though, with two very late goals in the 90th minute from Jermaine Francis, and 92nd minute from George Alexander to force extra time! It would be Braintree who would have the last laugh, as a Jayden Davis winner meant Chelmsford would be sticking around in the National League South for another season.
The first National League semi final was a much more one-sided affair, as Barnet were swept aside by Solihull Moors in a 4-0 drubbing at The Hive. James Clarke got proceedings underway in the 6th minute with a leaping header, before Jack Stevens made it 2-0 before the half-hour mark with a tidy finish into the bottom corner. Things didn’t get any better for the hosts after half-time, with former Glover Tahvon Campbell burying a third, before Joe Sbarra sealed the Moors’ second trip to Wembley for the season. Another year of playoff hurt for the Bees, who will hope to come back stronger next season.
Sunday saw plenty of goal action, including the first goal outside of a penalty shootout in the National League North! 3rd placed Brackley Town toppled Chorley to reach their second playoff final in as many years, thanks to a Riccardo Calder strike in the 76th minute. As the higher seeded side, Brackley will host Boston on Saturday 4th May, with the winner becoming the newest addition to the National League for next season!
The National League South tie was similarly tense, in another 3rd vs 4th tie, this time between Worthing and Maidstone United. The hosts took the lead in the 24th minute through an Ollie Pearce penalty (shock), before Matt Bentley stuffed home a scruffy equaliser for the visitors five minutes before the break. Both sides continued to go at each other, before an 89th minute winner from, you guessed it, Ollie Pearce handed Worthing a 2-1 win and a spot in the playoff final; they will host Braintree on Monday 6th May, where again, the winner will join Yeovil in the National League next season.
Following Solihull’s win over Barnet, we now know that there will be a brand new team in the EFL next season – and it’s Bromley that have stepped up to face Solihull Moors in the final, following their 3-1 win at home to Altrincham. The visitors actually took the lead just after the half hour mark, as Regan Linney knocked a wayward shot in, wrong-footing former Glover Grant Smith. Bromley came back in a second half blitz, with three goals in nine minutes shared between Myles Weston (2) and Jude Arthurs booking the Ravens’ spot at Wembley.
Final Scores
Barnet 0-4 Solihull Moors
Bromley 3-1 Altrincham
Scunthorpe United 0-0 Boston United (Boston win 5-4 on pens)
Brackley Town 1-0 Chorley
Chelmsford City 2-3 Braintree Town
Worthing 2-1 Maidstone United