Playoff Round-Up 2023/24 – Quarter Finals

Yeovil Town fortunately don’t have to face the dreaded playoffs, as they finished 11 points clear of 2nd-placed Chelmsford City. Of course, there is only the one automatic spot for promotion from the National League South, and it’s the same for the North, as well as the National League itself. A lot of you will be familiar with how this playoff system works, but for those of you who may not be, here’s a quick explanation of who’s qualified in which league, and how they work!

Participants

In the National League, there has been some confusion as to who is taking part in the playoffs. In a perfect world, it would actually be Southend United in the playoffs, with Gateshead dropping to 7th and Halifax missing out entirely, however their 10-point deduction means that is not the case. Gateshead are another team who should be partaking, yet aren’t. Their well publicised banishment from the playoffs, thanks to the EFL and their council, means they can’t compete this season. They will not be replaced by 8th placed Aldershot Town. Barnet and Bromley took the two ‘bye’ positions, with Altrincham receiving a ‘bye’ by virtue of being the highest placed side to take part in the first round – Solihull Moors will face Halifax Town on Wednesday night instead.

Up in the National League North, and it’s Tamworth who will be joining Yeovil in the National League next season, as they won their division in similarly impressive fashion, finishing 8 points clear. The two teams receiving ‘byes’ are fellow fallen giants Scunthorpe United, and perennial playoff contenders Brackley Town, who have made the playoffs in each of the last 6 seasons (make of that what you will). Following rumoured financial troubles, Chorley have powered through for a playoff spot, while Alfreton Town added a playoff finish to their joint-longest FA Cup run this season. Boston United are hoping to end a 14 year absence from the National League, and Curzon Ashton registered their first top half finish in the National League North to snag the final playoff spot.

Finally in the National League South, the most familiar to us this season, we are fairly up-to-date on the contenders to join us in the National League next season. Chelmsford City emerged as late title contenders before falling away, finishing ahead of earlier title chasers Worthing. Maidstone United are looking to make a quick return via the playoffs, having been relegated alongside the Glovers last season; Braintree Town improved on their 7th place last season with their 5th place spot, Bath City looked pretty competitive all season long, and secured their spot in the last week of the season, and Aveley proved to be the shock of the season, as they secured their highest finish in the club’s history, in their first season at this level – having been favourites to go straight back down pre-season.

How does it work?

These aren’t your standard EFL playoffs, where 2nd plays 6th home and away, 4th plays 5th home away, and then the winners go to Wembley and have a one-off game to win promotion.

2nd and 3rd will receive a ‘bye’ to the semi-finals, leaving 4th to host 7th, and 5th to host 6th. These are one-off, 90 minute games, that go to extra-time and then penalties if the two contenders can’t be separated.

In the semi-finals, 2nd will host the winner of 4th vs 7th, and 3rd will host the winner of 5th vs 6th. In the National League, the two winners will go to Wembley to duke it out, but in the National League North and South, the highest remaining team will host the final (if 3rd and 4th make the final, 3rd will host the game).

Results

In the quarter finals, we have the following fixtures:

National League
Solihull Moors vs FC Halifax Town
(Altrincham received a bye, and Gateshead are eliminated)

National League North
Alfreton Town vs Boston United
Chorley vs Curzon Ashton

National League South
Braintree Town vs Bath City
Maidstone United vs Aveley

On Tuesday night, both second-tier ties went to extra time, with only one going to penalties – it was Boston United who proved triumphant during penalties; Harry Perritt’s spot kick was saved by Boston ‘keeper Cameron Gregory, before Michael Gyasi converted the winner to set up a clash with Scunthorpe United.

In the other game on Tuesday, Braintree Town and Bath City played out a tense thriller, however it was the hosts who ultimately took the win, with Tom Blackwell scoring a 118th minute winner to ensure one last Essex derby between Chelmsford City and themselves.

On Wednesday night, there were three games, all taking very different turns! In the National League, Solihull Moors raced into a 3-0 lead within the first half, before Jack Evans grabbed a goal for visiting FC Halifax Town just before the half-time whistle. They pulled a second back to make it interesting, before Jamey Osborne put the hosts out of sight to book their spot in the semi-finals against Barnet.

In the North, it once again went to penalties, this time between Chorley and Curzon Ashton. Both sides missed their opening kicks, but the hosts kicked on (no pun intended) to put their remaining four spot kicks away, whereas the visiting debutants had Hayden Campbell’s attempt saved by the keeper; Brackley Town await them in the semi-finals.

In the South, it was Maidstone who confirmed themselves as the final semi-finalists with a dramatic 2-1 win over Aveley at the Gallagher Stadium. Aveley took the lead in the 27th minute via a header from Manny Ogurinde, and the visitors took that lead into half-time. Following the restart, Maidstone continued to probe, and got their reward in the 63rd minute when former Aveley man Matt Rush bundled home the equaliser. And in the 92nd minute, replicating the Yeovil scorers (and scoreline), Mo Faal buried his shot to send the home fans delirious, and ensuring they face Worthing in the semi-finals.

Final Scores

Solihull Moors 4-2 FC Halifax Town
Alfreton Town 0-0 Boston United (Boston win 5-4 on pens)
Chorley 0-0 Curzon Ashton (Chorley win 4-2 on pens)
Braintree Town 1-0 Bath City
Maidstone United 2-1 Aveley