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

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·16 de maio de 2025

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

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.

Vídeos OneFootball

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 the only goal of the reverse tie 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.