Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield (4-1 agg): FLW report as Saddlers book League Two play-off final spot with late drama | OneFootball

FLW reports from the Poundland Bescot Stadium

Walsall booked their place in the League Two play-off final on May 26th with a 2-1 victory over Chesterfield at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Despite being unfancied by many heading into the post-season campaign, a 2-0 advantage at the SMH Group Stadium last Sunday gave Mat Sadler's side a crucial advantage to take back to WS1, and the Reds would eventually see the job through.

After a cagey, yet, end-to-end encounter, Charlie Lakin scored with 81 minutes on the clock as he turned Albert Adomah's teasing cross home, just minutes after the duo came on as substitutes.

Armando Dobra restored some pride for the Spireites with a neat finish in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the 90 minutes, before Levi Amantchi rounded off proceedings with a powerful header less than a minute later.

The Saddlers are now heading to Wembley for just the second time in their history and will face either AFC Wimbledon or Notts County in North London, as they look to return to League One for the first time since 2019.

Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield (4-1 agg)

The first chance of this second-leg fell to Jamie Jellis after the attacking midfielder was played down the right by David Okagbue, with Ryan Boot equal to his low effort from a tight angle. Birmingham City loan duo Alfie Chang and George Hall then combined as Jellis looked to set up Jamille Matt for his first opportunity, although the Spireites defence would eventually clear their lines.

Not even six minutes had elapsed when Nathan Asiimwe teased Lewis Gordon twice, with Ash Palmer forced to concede yet another corner as Hall lurked at the back post.

Chesterfield's first attempt to halve the aggregate deficit saw Jenson Metcalfe fire a deflected first-time volley towards the top-right-hand corner as Tom Naylor's free-kick was only half-cleared by the hosts. Metcalfe then found Bim Pepple in space inside the box, but the forward's header was comfortably gathered by Tommy Simkin.

On 27 minutes, the visitors forged yet another opportunity as Ollie Banks' cross was brought down by Naylor and laid off to Pebble, who couldn't muster a shooting chance on the turn under pressure from Taylor Allen. Cook's star man, Armando Dobra, then fired a long-range strike which was comfortable for the Saddlers goalkeeper.

Liam Gordon then looked to capitalise on a Banks slip on the halfway line, slipping in Jellis, whose shot was blocked by Palmer as far as the Guyanese, but his powerful strike was straight at Boot.

With four minutes of the first period remaining, Pepple dragged yet another effort wide of the mark from 20 yards out after neatly turning away from Harry Williams, before being thwarted by Simkin a minute later after bursting into the box.

The first chance of the second half came nine minutes in, and the Chesterfield supporters saw their initial belief of a comeback quashed as Ben Toner ruled out a fizzing strike from Metcalfe from the edge of the box which flew past Simkin for handball.

With the tie starting to drift away from the visitors, former Walsall striker and top-scorer, Will Grigg, was introduced midway into the half, with his fellow substitute, Jack Sparkes, the latest to fire an effort goalbound through bodies, with Simkin standing firm once more.

Amantchi had the chance to all-but seal a place at Wembley for Sadler's men with 17 minutes to go, but the January signing couldn't turn Hall's square ball home from inside the box, before Dobra was booked by Toner for simulation, despite strong appeals for a penalty from those of a blue and white persuasion.

However, with nine minutes remaining, all the tension among Walsall supporters ended as Lakin drifted into the box to connect with fellow substitute Adomah's cross, giving the Saddlers a three-goal aggregate advantage heading into the closing stages.

In an attempt to at least get on the scoresheet, the Derbyshire side continued to press forward but Dylan Duffy and Sparkes both saw efforts blocked from close range. Amantchi then looked to add further gloss on proceedings for the hosts, but could only drag his effort wide of Boot's left-hand post.

Allen looked to register his 20th goal contribution of the campaign in stoppage time but saw a low drive fizz past the post before Dobra registered a consolation in the 94th minute, neatly firing past Simkin.

However, the party atmosphere would be restored less than 60 seconds later as Amantchi headed another fine Adomah assist home from close range in what proved to be the semi-final's final meaningful action despite a lengthy delay after a premature pitch invasion.

FT: Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield (4-1 agg)

Player Ratings

Walsall

Tommy Simkin - 7

David Okagbue - 7.5

Harry Williams - 7

Taylor Allen - 6.5

Nathan Asiimwe - 7 (Daniels 91" - N.A)

Alfie Chang - 6.5 (Comley 62" - 6)

Ryan Stirk - 6.5

Liam Gordon - 7

George Hall - 6.5 (Lakin 75" - 7.5)

Jamie Jellis - 6.5 (Adomah 74" - 8)

Jamille Matt - 6 (Amantchi 62" - 7)

Unused Subs: Sam Hornby, Josh Gordon

Chesterfield

Ryan Boot - 7

Liam Mandeville - 6.5 (Colclough 76" - 6)

Ash Palmer - 6.5

Kyle McFadzean - 6.5

Lewis Gordon - 6.5 (Sparkes 67" - 6)

Jenson Metcalfe - 6.5 (Grigg 67" - 6.5)

John Fleck - 6.5

Tom Naylor - 6 (Jacobs 82" - 6)

Ollie Banks - 6.5 (Duffy 75" - 6)

Bim Pepple - 6.5

Armando Dobra - 7.5

Unused Subs: Max Thompson, Jamie Grimes

Walsall vs Chesterfield Attendance

The attendance at the Poundland Bescot Stadium for tonight's semi-final was 9,585.

Mat Sadler reacts as Walsall book Wembley place

Speaking to the press afterward, Sadler was able to reflect on the joy of leading Walsall to Wembley, as well as stating that his young squad will share similar emotions after an up-and-down period of the season.

"I've got such an amazing family and close friends, some of who have been to every single game this season, home and away, and you want to share those amazing moments with them," he said.

"They're moments that you cherish and (ones) which don't come around every day. That's for me and the players. I want them to enjoy this moment right now.

"We, of course, know the job's not done," the 40-year-old stated. "We know there's one more step to go.

"I'm a big believer in making sure that we celebrate these moments, and this is another one. A proud moment."

When delivering his thoughts on the 90 minutes, Sadler began: "I thought we started electrically in the first 10 minutes. I thought the crowd were right behind us, and we started with a real pace and power.

"The game plan was exactly that. We knew they liked to move their backline up, we knew people would get attracted to Jamille (Matt) and that's how it kind of played out.

"We also knew going into the game that the 2-0 scoreline is one of those scores in football that's a tricky one. The first goal was crucial," he continued.

"It took a long time to come, and it just allowed us to settle into the game.

"I thought it was a fantastic performance. Very proud of the lads, proud of all the substitutes, the whole squad. There was a real togetherness about us which we've maintained throughout everything this season, and for me, that's the recipe for success."

Paul Cook reacts as Chesterfield suffer two-legged defeat

Addressing the media after the post-match bedlam, Cook's immediate thoughts were to congratulate his opponents.

"My overriding thoughts are just to wish Walsall well at Wembley," he began. "We've done our best.

"There's no point in over-analysing now. The play-offs have been amazing. I've really enjoyed watching each one. Tonight was such a good atmosphere in the stadium.

"We had a lot of possession without any real penetration in the first game and tried to change that tonight. Again, there's no point in over-analysing the game; the play-offs are about winners.

"Walsall now go to Wembley with a fantastic chance. The two teams that play tomorrow, we wish them well, and we certainly wish Walsall well at Wembley," Cook added.

"Mat's had an outstanding season, his players give everything for the club, which is clearly evident when you play them, and it's there night tonight for sure."

Cook then issued his message of support to the travelling supporters who stuck by his team despite being well-beaten on aggregate.

"We're Chesterfield FC. I'm so proud of our fans tonight, singing about how proud they are to be a Spireite at the end of the game. That's what football's about," he continued.

"We'll take our medicine. That's the nature of the game, you have to lose.

"You've got to have some manners when you get beat, because you can enjoy winning even more.

"We've got to go one way, to lick our wounds, and hopefully come back stronger next season."

There was a lengthy delay after Amantchi's winning goal in which Cook wished to take his squad off the pitch as a premature pitch invasion which swarmed the entire playing surface soon took place.

When asked if the Chesterfield players were OK, the experienced boss responded: "My overriding thoughts were just to get our players off the pitch.

"There was 90 seconds left, Walsall had won the game, the game was done. There were no alarms from us about anything we could have done for us to just shake hands and say well done.

"Player safety has to be paramount, and unfortunately, and the end of the game, the Chesterfield players weren't safe on the pitch, and that's really disappointing."