Walsall FC flew into the League Two play-off final, making the town proud! They defeated Chesterfield 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final face-off. Bishop’s goal at Chesterfield’s home ground. Walsall carried the momentum of their 2-0 first leg lead and cruised to a comfortable 4-1 aggregate win. This success represents a huge turnaround for Walsall. After their epic collapse last season, they are even more hungry to claim that promotion.
On May 20, Walsall’s Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi’s goals were all but an adrenaline surge. Their stellar showing earned the team a place at Wembley! Lakin’s decisive headed goal in the 81st minute sealed the win, showcasing Walsall’s determination and skill. Chesterfield’s Armando Dobra pulled one back with a late consolation goal, but it wasn’t enough to save the day.
Key Moments in the Match
Walsall FC resisted Chesterfield’s pressure to take a convincing victory on the road. They preserved a no-no until the dying seconds of the encounter. It was the team’s defensive strategy, in tandem with their attacking prowess that wowed their supporters and earned their place in the final.
Walsall’s Albert Adomah—he was the best player in the league, and I don’t think the league cared. With elaborate footwork, Mbaehwe put in a great cross that enabled Amantchi to head home from close range. This moment highlighted the synergy within the Walsall squad, emphasizing their collective effort throughout the match.
Mat Sadler, Walsall’s manager, expressed satisfaction with his team’s execution of the game plan.
“There were a couple of hairy moments but in the main I thought we did exactly what we wanted to do. The game plan played out how we wanted it to.” – Mat Sadler
Not only does Walsall’s win mean it’s one game away from being promoted, this came in a difficult season. In 2025 the club hit rock bottom. They fell from a robust, leadership buoying, position atop the table and concluded the campaign in a distant fourth. What makes this victory so much sweeter is that they had to go through the play-offs this year for their opportunity for promotion.
The Path Ahead
For now, Walsall FC will prepare to take on either AFC Wimbledon or Notts County in the League Two play-off final. The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on bank holiday Monday, May 26, with the final set to kick off at 3 PM. Walsall can only confirm their League One safety with a win in this match. They can, too, make amends after having let us down in the past.
The team has displayed amazing resilience, camaraderie and teamwork on their path to this moment. All of those qualities have been on display throughout these energetic and engaging performances. Chesterfield’s Paul Cook, another interesting managerial prospect, was full of praise for Walsall’s battling spirit and professionalism.
“We’ve got an unbelievable group of players, an unbelievable group of people. We’ve just got a real togetherness about the place and that was never not the case. All the late goals we scored showed that togetherness we have.” – Paul Cook
Despite Chesterfield’s loss, Cook acknowledged the significance of Walsall’s achievement and congratulated them on their victory.
Reflections on the Match
The mood at the match perfectly encapsulated what was at stake for both teams. With Walsall making it uncomfortable for Chesterfield to settle on the ball for the remainder of the match, Chesterfield feeling the impact of this pressure. Dobra’s late goal would provide Chesterfield fans a brief moment of reprieve. It was not enough to alter the result of the race.
Chesterfield player Dave Edwards, having lost the game, was understandably bitter after the game but begrudgingly admired Walsall’s achievement.
“I’m devastated. But I think the biggest thing of the night is it’s Walsall’s night and you’ve got to respect that.” – Dave Edwards
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