Non League Finals Day - A goal starved day at Wembley which saw both finals settled on penalties, AFC Stoneham defeating Cockfosters to net FA Vase glory & Southend United grabbing win over Wealdstone to take FA Trophy honours

(AFC Stoneham celebrate their FA Vase win over Cockfosters in front of their fans at Wembley)

Non League Finals Day, Wembley Stadium, Sunday 17th May

It was that time of year again as the two biggest national non league competitions took centre stage for a day at Wembley as both the FA Vase & FA Trophy finals took place and four sides had not only the chance to have a day out at Wembley with their fans, they also had a chance to win a Trophy and end their seasons on a high.

First up was the lunchtime fare of the FA Vase, and this season it saw Wessex League Premier runaway champions AFC Stoneham & Spartan South Midlands Premier play off final runners up Cockfosters, let's see how that one panned out.....

Isuzu FA Vase Final

AFC Stoneham Vs Cockfosters

Eastleigh based AFC Stoneham went into this final as favourites no doubt, they had played out a wonderful season so far, winning the Wessex League Premier by fourteen points and netting 109 goals in their thirty eight games, meaning they won promotion to the next level, Cockfosters though had themselves played out a more than decent campaign, finishing fourth in the Spartan South Midlands Premier. 

This meant a play off place was earnt, but they did lose the final meaning they failed to win promotion to Step Four, Fosters though did knock out last years Vase winners Whitstable Town on route to this final, and Whitstable ran away with the SCEFL Premier this season, so Fosters would be no pushovers for AFC Stoneham you would have thought, and this is a one off final at Wembley, so it was who could hold their nerve on the day.

AFC Stoneham came into this competition in the second round proper and saw off Kidlington, Cinderford Town, Barnstaple Town, before they knocked out Haywards Heath Town on penalties, who were many people favourites for the competition, and then beat Coventry United & then Hallan 6-1 on aggregate in the semi final, Fosters though came in a few rounds before today's opponents.

It was the second round qualifying for them, and they saw off Long Melford, Tring Athletic (just, 12-11 on penalties!!!), AFC Welwyn, also on penalties, SOUL Tower Hamlets, you guessed it, on penalties, Crawley Down Gatwick, then the holders Whitstable Town on penalties as mentioned above, before seeing off Droylsden and then winning their semi final tie against Punjab United 3-1 on aggregate, so that was four shoot out wins on their way to Wembley, this side have got big balls and character clearly!!!

Would this be enough against what was clearly a very very good AFC Stoneham outfit? Well, clearly AFC Stoneham were not at their best in this final, and by half time Cockfosters would probably have been the happier of the two sides, they had pretty much nullified any threat from the South Coast side, and had probably looked the more threating of the two sides in what was probably one of the worst halves of football I've seen for a while.

Now that is no disrespect to both sides, but whether the occasion had got to them, especially AFC Stoneham, who knows, it was a huge occasion for both sides, so nerves and not wanting to make mistakes were understandable, but it was a hard watch in the first forty five minutes, the second period was slightly better, although that wasn't difficult, again Fosters created the best of whatever openings came long, including one that saw a miskick come off the bar.

However, as the second half went on, AFC Stoneham began to get more of the ball and put pressure on the Fosters side, and they had two great opportunities to win it, firstly seeing a looping header come back off the bar, and then seeing the keeper make a brilliant save to deny them in the final ten minutes, meaning this final would have to be decided on penalties kicks as they did away with extra time this year at finals day, thank goodness!!!

Penalties were no stranger to Cockfosters, this was their fifth shootout in this seasons tournament alone, but this was Wembley and a major final, so that hit's different, AFC Stoneham had only had one shootout on route but they quickly took control of it and at 4-2 Fosters needed to score to keep the shoot out going and at least make AFC Stoneham score to win it, but they blazed over meaning the Eastleigh side were Vase winners for 2026!!!

Not the best of games then, but AFC Stoneham didn't care and celebrated accordingly with their fans, Cockfosters just came up short in the end, but they did stop their opponents scoring in this one, which is a very rare thing this season, what a run it's been for them, but their has to be a winner and a loser, and today was AFC Stoneham's day!!!

Full time AFC Stoneham 0 Cockfosters 0 (AFC Stoneham won 4-2 on penalties)

Onto the second game of the day then, the FA Trophy Final, and this brought together my local side, Southend United, who were up against fellow National League outfit Wealdstone, let's see how that one fared.....

Isuzu FA Trophy Final

Southend United Vs Wealdstone

The last few years for my local side Southend United has been turbulent to say the least, at least off the field, but despite all the problems off the field the team have been superb and this was their second Wembley final in two seasons, they had qualified for the play offs last season, losing out to Oldham Athletic here at Wembley in a dramatic play off final, and although they had finished sixth this season to qualify again, they lost out in the eliminator to Scunthorpe United, meaning another season in the National League.

For Wealdstone it was a much tougher campaign on the field this season, for the majority of their National League campaign they were looking down rather than up and in a relegation battle or worry at least, I saw them play at Braintree Town a couple of months ago and had Town won that game they would have only been three points behind Stones and they were in the bottom four, but, Stones thrashed them in that game and never looked back, ending the season 15th and fourteen points above those relegation spots.

Both these sides had come into the competition at the Third Round Proper stage, The Blues had seen off Truro City, Bath City, Chatham Town & Horsham before winning at Southport in the semi final, The Stones had seen off Cheshunt, Dagenham & Redbridge, Forest Green Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers (on penalties) before they won their semi final at home to Marine, both had to battle in many of those ties to get here, so both final spots were well earned.

Now, Southend had finished twenty five points above Wealdstone in the league, however, Wealdstone had played them twice at Grosvenor Vale this season and won both times, 3-2 in the league and 1-0 in the FA Cup, Southend had won the most recent meeting, the final day of the league season, 2-1 at Roots Hall, so all three games had been close, and Stones did hold the upper hand in meetings this season, so this final was expected to be rather close and could possibly go either way, hard one to call then?

The Essex side certainly started the game well, and they were mighty close to grabbing an early lead after a good move saw them get in on goal and fire a effort across goal that looked destined for the bottom corner, but a faint touch from the keeper saw it thump off the post, but Southend continued to have the better of the early exchanges as Wealdstone were yet to settle.

Southend were backed by a huge following who were creating a good atmosphere, but Stones did actually end the first half the stronger, and only a brilliant one handed save denied them the lead late on in the half, another half where no goals were scored, the only time the ball did find the net was after the referee had blown for a foul on the Stones keeper, meaning Southend were denied, and left me sitting there wondering whether or not I was going to see a goal at all today, the game was certainly set up nicely for the second period, could someone find a winner in this one?

The second half was again very competitive as expected, but neither side could find their shooting boots once again, both sides were now attacking the ends their support was, but it could not provide a winning moment, and for the second time today it saw a goalless draw have to be settled by penalties, as just like the Vase final, this game also had no extra time, thankfully!!!

It was now the turn of Southend & Wealdstone players, management & support to go through the nerve shredding spot kicks for the prize, and it was Southend, who won the toss to take the penalties in front of their support, take control of the shootout after they scored their first two and Stones see their first two saved, it all resulted in Southend having the chance to net victory if they netted their final kick, and they duly did to win the shootout 4-2 and celebrate wildly in front of their huge support.

A great day for Southend then, but commiserations to Wealdstone who more than played their part in this one, another close game against their opponents but they ultimately fell short today, but they can be proud of their achievements this campaign overall.

It's Southend United's day though, and a much deserved one for the club after all they have been through!!!

Full time Southend United 0 Wealdstone 0 (Southend United won 4-2 on penalties)

So, that completes Non League Finals Day for another year, on the pitch it certainly wasn't one of the best that's for sure, no goals and two penalty shoot outs, but still a good day out and a good atmosphere, especially in the second game, and an overall crowd of just over 43,000 came to watch too, goal starved but a day out at Wembley and a first for some, I always enjoy these days and I look forward to next May when I can do it all again and hopefully see some goals!!!

Boreham Wood 2 Rochdale 2 (aet; Rochdale won 3-1 on penalties) - Another dramatic National League Play Off final sees Rochdale come back from two goals down to eventually see off Boreham Wood on penalties and return to EFL after three years out

Enterprise National League Play Off Final, Sunday 10th May

This has become an annual event me and my good mate Adam attend every year, grabbing an early bird deal in Club Wembley to bag a very decent seat in the blocks next to the Royal Box for only twenty quid, good value, and this year it saw Boreham Wood & Rochdale do battle to see who could grab promotion and join champions York City in the football league next season.

Boreham Wood had finished the season in fourth with ninety points and had to play a couple of games to reach this final, whereas Rochdale were seconds away from actually pipping York to the title before the Minstermen broke Rochdale's hearts by levelling in the 103rd minute of that huge title showdown at Spotlands, it's a wonder how Rochdale picked themselves up from that devastating heart break to actually win their semi final to give themselves a second shot at getting back into the football league after three years out following relegation in 2023.

The Dale amassed 106 points in the season but still failed to win the league after York managed 108 themselves, many felt it would be unfair if the runners up, who finished sixteen points above today's opponents in the table, and eleven above third placed Carlisle, would not earn their place back in the football league, but that's the rules currently, so they had to enter the lottery of the play offs if they wanted to grab that place back in the EFL.

Six teams therefore had hopes of joining York at the next level, Scunthorpe United, who finished in fifth place, defeated sixth placed Southend United in one of the eliminators, whereas Boreham Wood saw off seventh placed Forest Green Rovers in the other, setting up the semi finals that would be played at Rochdale and Carlisle United, Dale saw off Scunthorpe whilst Wood won on the road after extra time in Cumbria, setting up today's final at Wembley.

Now unlike Dale, who had a spent 102 years in the Football League until they fell out of it three years ago, Wood have never ever been there, they got very close a few years ago but lost out to Tranmere Rovers at this venue in the 2017/18 play off final, and in fact they have been down into the National League South before bouncing back, and this season they have managed to give themselves another shot at gaining promotion to the football league for the first time in their history.

No doubt most neutrals wanted Dale to get promoted though, especially after the season they had experienced, any other year they would have walked the league, but they had one more game to try and grab what they felt like a deserved promotion, but Wood on the other hand were trying to create history, so you could not begrudge them a go in the EFL as well, who could hold their nerve in this biggest of games for either side?  

Well, Boreham Wood should have been in front inside a minute, getting behind the Rochdale backline but Leon Ayinde failed to beat Dale stopper Oli Whatmuff who made a terrific stop to deny the ex Dale player, but midway through the first half Wood had the breakthrough and the lead, and it was all down to excellent play from Abdul Abdulmalik who was increasing causing problems for the Dale backline,

The tricky winger danced his way past two Rochdale defenders before firing in a ball towards Matt Rush, and the striker managed to divert the ball off his chest and loop into the far corner of the net, and Adbulmalik almost made it 2-0 himself but saw a lovely curling effort superbly tipped over by Whatmuff who was keeping his side in the contest, Rochdale did have a couple of openings themselves but were largely on the back foot.

Wood passed up more opportunities after the restart and you felt they may come back to rue these missed chances as you felt Dale had to have a decent spell at some point as they had been rather poor so far in this contest, but when Wood did find that second goal in the 69th minute, the superb Abdulmalik finding the bottom corner after cutting inside onto his right foot and seeing his effort deflect beyond Whatmuff, you felt Wood had done enough to win this game and take a histortic promotion.

It was going to take something special for them to be denied now, Rochdale had offered very little and the Wood backline had stood firm with anything thrown at them, but, with 78 minutes on the clock, Dale gave themselves a life line, a long clearence from keeper Whatmuff saw a defender slip, allowing substitute Tyler Smith to get in and fire home, game on, and Dale had around fifteen minutes or so to find a leveller.

These National League Play Off finals are always dramatic, and this one was to be no different, six minutes were to be added on, and with about ten seconds of those remaining, Dale found a last gasp leveller to deny Wood promotion for now and send the game into extra time, Casey Pettit's ball in found Mani Dieseruvwe whose header went in off a defender and gave keeper Ted Curd no chance, and sent the Dale fans behind that goal wild, their them were beaten but had somehow pulled themselves back from nowhere to send this to extra time.

Wood were crushed, but they had to somehow get themselves up for an extra half hour and possibly penalties but you felt Dale had the momentum now, but in an extra time period that didn't really have the same drama as the second period, Wood were the ones who were pushing for a winner, but they could not muster one, and the game would go to spot kicks to determine who would join York City in the EFL.

Well, Whatmuff, who had been excellent in the game itself and had kept his side in the contest at times, was the hero in the shootout, he first of all saved Callum Reynolds effort in the first penalty of the shoot out, and then made a superb one handed stop to deny Rush, and at 3-1 to Dale, Wood needed to score to keep the shoot out going but saw Cameron Coxe hit the bar and Dale had somehow won this final and returned to the football league after three years out.

This will be a very painful one for Boreham Wood to take, they should have been out of sight at one stage, and were ten seconds away from winning it in normal time, a very bitter pill to swallow and their hopes of promotion to the EFL for the first time in their history was shattered, for Dale though maybe it was a deserved promotion after the season they had had, justice done maybe, but they were second best for large parts of this final, but they managed to get through it and earn their place in the Football League once again.

So, a dramatic afternoon at Wembley for one of these finals, to be expected after previous seasons when extra time and penalties are often required to separate sides, am absolutely gutted for Wood but pleased for Dale, it was certainly a very enjoyable watch.

Full time Boreham Wood 2 Rochdale 2 (aet; Rochdale won 3-1 on penalties)

Essex Senior League Finals Day at Oakside - Barking U23s stun Billericay Town Reserves to lift Len Cordell Memorial Trophy & Great Wakering Rovers retain Errington Challenge Cup after victory over Halstead Town

(Great Wakering Rovers celebrate retaining the Errington Challenge Cup after victory over Halstead Town at Oakside)

Essex Senior League Finals Day, Monday 4th May

It was the turn of Oakside, Redbridge FC, to host the now annual event in the Essex Senior League as a double header of finals took place, firstly the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy at lunchtime followed by the Errington Challenge Cup in the late afternoon, so this blog will cover both contests throughout the day, starting with of course the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy final.....

Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Final

Barking U23 Vs Billericay Town Reserves

This final brought together a Barking U23 side who finished down in ninth in a ESL Reserve league that ended with thirteen sides (after starting the season with fifteen before two sides pulled out) having grabbed twenty five points from their twenty four games, only six wins too, and a Billericay side that finished runners up to winners Bowers & Pitsea (ten points behind) having won seventeen of their twenty games and grabbing twenty seven points more than today's opponents.

However, one of Billericay's six defeats in the season came at home to Barking, with the visitors that day netting a 3-2 win, Billericay did win 2-0 at Barking in the return game but despite the huge gap in the finishing standings, this final could well be closer than many people would expect, it was a final after all so it's who applies themselves on the day the best and who can hold their nerve that normally come out on top.

Barking did actually get knocked out in the First Round, losing on penalties to Hashtag Reserves, but, that Tags side folded meaning Barking were put through instead, and they have taken full advantage of that, facing penalties again but winning this time against Takeley in what was a action packed Quarter Final (I did see this one myself and it's included in this blog if you are interested https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2026/02/mayesbrook-park-double-header-saturday.html)

They then thumped Rayleigh Town 4-0 in the semi final to set up a final against a Billericay side who netted sixteen goals in their three ties to get here, a 7-1 win over Hutton U23, a 4-0 win at Brentwood Town U23 before they defeated title winning Bowers 5-4 in the semi final, Billericay would certainly be favourites but it would not be easy against a confident Barking U23 outfit.

And this was evident in the early exchanges as Barking flew out of the traps and were a goal up inside three minutes, a corner swung in from the right saw Kyle Smith rise to send a powerful header towards the bottom corner, and although Billericay keeper Fred Strang got a strong hand to it, he could not prevent it from finding the net, and in the 17th minute they had doubled that lead.

Barking had a shot from outside the box deflect through behind the back line, and nobody except Barking skipper and striker Teddy Bowden reacted to this and he duly strode in behind the defence to prod the loose ball beyond Strang and into the net, leaving the Billericay side looking at each other and wondering what was going on.

Well, they did regroup and pulled a goal back midway through the half, as a corner swung in from the right by Joe Davis appeared to be glanced home by Alex Ansell across goal and into the far corner, although some did say the corner went straight in without anyone touching it, whatever happened what was certain was it was now 2-1 and Billericay were right back in it.

They could not find a leveller before the break though and the second period wasn't that old before Barking established their two goal cushion once again, the superb Nelly Mallek burst down the right before sending a lovely ball across for skipper Bowden to fire home into the roof of the net for his second and Barking's third, giving them a cushion and allowing them to breathe easier.

It was a lead they never really looked like giving up either and were the better side for the majority of the game, Billericay were not on their game today it appeared and so it was a deserved win for Barking who made the most of that reinstatement into the competition that first round defeat by winning the whole competition, congratulations to them for doing that.

Full time Barking U23 3 Billericay Town 1

Onto Part Deux of the afternoon then, the Errington Challenge Cup Final.....

Errington Challenge Cup Final

Halstead Town Vs Great Wakering Rovers

This final saw a Halstead side who finished eighth in the ESL Premier in what you could say were the best of the rest in the division after finishing several points off seventh and way off the play off places, up against a GWR side who of course were embroiled in a title battle with Little Oakley and SOUL Tower Hamlets, finished third in the end and lost in the play off semi final to eventual play off winners Buckhurst Hill to end that part of their season in disappointing fashion.

The points gap between the two sides though over the thirty eight game season was vast, nineteen points to be exact, however, Halstead had beaten GWR 2-0 at home earlier in the season, and at Burroughs Park GWR netted a 3-0 win over today's opponents, so one win each although those results were pretty academic in trying to work out who could get the win in this competition.

Halstead's route to the final saw a 2-0 win over Barking before they thumped Romford 5-1 at Mayesbrook Park to reach the Quarters, the last eight tie against Woodford was far more stressful as after a 1-1 draw Halstead needed penalties to progress, and in the semi final they saw off Hullbridge Sports 2-0 to set up today's final against a GWR side who began their quest for the Challenge Cup by netting a 2-1 win at Frenford.

They then edged past West Essex 1-0 at Burroughs Park before netting a superb 4-2 win at Roding Lane against Buckhurst Hill, and then they claimed their place in today's final by seeing off title winners Little Oakley 4-0 at Burroughs Park, and after failing to achieve promotion, GWR were no doubt desperate to claim a trophy this season to at least end it on a positive note. although of course The Humbugs wanted to end their season on a high too, who would prevail.

Well, it was GWR who drew first blood in the 14th minute, Max Harbrow was slipped in with a lovely pass and he duly fired it beyond Jack Cherry in the Halstead goal who although got a touch to the effort could not prevent it from going into the net, and to be honest they should have been further in front before the break but missed two or three guilt edged chances to go further in front.

The Humbugs had threatened themselves on occasions, but knew they needed to improve after the break to get back into this contest, they did just that and were level eight minutes after the restart when after being awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box, Kane Gilbert made no mistake from the spot and Halstead were now the ones with their tails up and GWR appeared to be losing their way somewhat, it could go either way you felt at this point.

But, GWR did regather themselves and they restored their lead in this one in the 75th minute, a great ball in from substitute Shaun Gittleson went right across goal and saw Max Gnandi with an unmissable chance and he duly tapped home from close range with the goal at his mercy, advantage GWR and they now had found their mojo again and made it three just five minutes later.

This time it was Bradley Bennett with the ball into the box, and his lovely pass was perfect for GWR skipper Ben Search, who made no mistake by side footing home beyond Cherry and into the net, and you felt it was game over now, and despite some late Halstead pressure in the nine added on minutes at the end, GWR had done more than enough to take the victory and retain the Errington Challenge Cup and at least end their season on a positive note.

Full time Halstead Town 1 Great Wakering Rovers 3

Two decent finals then, and eight goals in total, and attendances of 231 for the Len Cordell Memorial Trophy final and then 427 for the Errington Challenge Cup final, very good crowds indeed and an awesome day once again, congratulations to the winners and commiserations to the runners up, they all played their part today in two very watcable contests.