The final games of the 2025/26 National League North and South seasons took place on Sunday, with the two winners earning their place in the National League for next season, alongside Yeovil Town! Let’s see who’s gone up and who’s staying put; you can read what happened in the semi-finals here!
Participants
| Final Position | National League North | National League South |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Champions) | Brackley Town | Truro City |
| 2nd | Scunthorpe United | |
| 3rd | ||
| 4th | Chester | |
| 5th | Boreham Wood | |
| 6th | ||
| 7th | Maidstone United |
Results
Here are your finalists from the north and south:
National League North
Scunthorpe United vs Chester
National League South
Boreham Wood vs Maidstone United
We’ll begin with the early kickoff, where Boreham Wood returned to the National League after a solitary season away, defeating Maidstone United 1-0. The first half saw a handful of chances for both sides, but neither side could make the breakthrough.
Just two minutes into the second half though, the hosts got their goal – some brilliant footwork, with a little bit of luck sprinkled in, from Abdul Abdulmalik got the ball into the box, he then tucked a tidy pass inside for Charles Clayden to bury it in the left side of the net with a well-taken strike. Maidstone came forwards with a few chances of their own, but their efforts were fruitless as the Stones were condemned to a third consecutive season of regional football.
The northern final took place later on, and it was Scunthorpe United that came out victorious, defeating Chester in extra time 2-1. The hosts took the lead in the first half through a rebound from Danny Whitehall – he slammed home a rebound off the post from a Michael Cleenan header just before the 20 minute mark to hand the hosts the lead.
The score would remain the same into half-time, and deep into the second half, before a mix-up just after the hour mark between two Scunny players handed Chester a penalty for a handball; a penalty that Connor Woods tucked into the bottom right corner to equalise for the visitors. Both sides continued to put their bodies on the line, blocking shots from left, right and centre which eventually led to extra time.
Just before the end of extra time’s half-time, the winning goal, and the final goal of the Step 2 season was struck; a ball into the box was nodded on by Mo Fadera, falling to Carlton Ubaezuonu, who’s first shot was blocked, but his second shot worked its way into the net, sending Scunthorpe fans into raptures. The 9,000+ in attendance both roared on their respective sides, but despite the late delays following some early pitch invaders, the final whistle was eventually blown, and Scunthorpe confirmed their return to the National League after two seasons away; Chester will continue their promotion hunt next season, kicking off an eighth season of regional football.
Final Scores
National League North
Scunthorpe United 2-1 Chester (AET)
National League South
Boreham Wood 1-0 Maidstone United