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2025/26 National League, North and South playoff finals confirmed following semi final ties

The 2025/26 National League, North and South playoff finals are now confirmed following semi final ties played out over the weekend.

Boreham Wood came away with a 2-1 victory in extra time to reach the National League playoff final, Zak Brunt with the winner in the 105th minute.

Soon after that Luke Garrard and his side discovered they would face Rochdale in the final, an own goal from Scunthorpe’s Will Evans and Devante Rodney had Dale 2-0 up on the 57th minute, before Declan Howe’s consolation strike for the Iron.

In the National League North playoff final, it’s South Shields v Kidderminster Harriers, and for the National League South, Hornchurch host Torquay.

Goals from Richard Faakye, Kieren Donnelly and Seb Thompson had Kidderminster 3-0 up before Luke Matheson’s consolation for the Silkmen.

South Shields beat Buxton 1-0 thanks to Paul Blackett from the penalty spot just before half time.

Hornchurch beat Weston-super-Mare 2-0, Josh Rees and Henry Sandat found the net to send their side into the final.

A brace each from Jordan Young and Deon Moore means they are now just 90 minutes away from promotion to the National League.

CARLISLE 1-2 (AET) BOREHAM WOOD

Carlisle United head coach Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: “On the day, it’s a disappointment for everyone.

“Georgie [Kelly] is adamant that it was not handball and that it should have been a goal. He’s convinced that it hit something bony. To see that fly in at 2-1, I think we would have gone on to win the game.

“The referee has to be 100% certain it’s handball and only Georgie knows that and he’s adamant it wasn’t. That’s a big moment in the game.

“Unfortunately, Junior has then made a rash challenge. I think the referee should have used a bit of common sense as the lad has jumped up, it wasn’t high. It wasn’t worthy of a red card, but certainly a yellow.

“But we’ve had an outstanding season and the club has come a long way.”

Hughes saids spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on his future, he said, as per News & Star. “I think it’s probably not the time or the place to discuss that.

“It’s all a bit raw at the moment, so there’s a few things I need to consider.

“But I’ve enjoyed everything that we’ve done here as a group. I think the staff have been outstanding, and the players have responded to that.

“So I’m grateful for that. The next few days will give everybody a bit of clarity, I’m sure.

“I haven’t had conversations with anybody in terms of my future.

“My understanding is there probably will be in the next couple of weeks.”

ROCHDALE 2-1 SCUNTHORPE

Rochdale’s Jimmy McNulty said to DAZN, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “Amazing, I thought the lads were brilliant.

“I know a lot of people have said it would be difficult to come back after last week but honestly I have seen none of it, I thought the performance was outstanding, we could have scored a lot of goals.

“I thought the personality we played with for the occasion was a sign of our growth.

“I can’t credit the players enough for embodying that personality when the occasion is asking for you to be nervous. The players were calm.”

On being written off after the late equaliser against York denied them automatic promotion in the 103rd minute: “We know the wider narrative. It was impossible to pick ourselves up and win, but we never felt that way. You can see it in the confidence of the performance.

“Wembley is the best way for either Rochdale or Boreham Wood to do it, We all want to play there when we were boys.”

Rochdale’s Callum Perry, player of the match, told DAZN: “It was a massive performance, we’ve worked all week and we did the gameplan perfectly.

“We’ve heard all week it would be so tough to come back and win but we never doubted it for a minute.

“I’ve never played at Wembley, what an experience, we know what’s at stake, it’s a big game.”

KIDDERMINSTER 3-1 MACCLESFIELD

Kidderminster’s Adam Murray said, per Kidderminster Shuttle: “I was wary of this game and we knew we had to change what we did a little bit,” he said. “We sat a little bit deeper today because we knew they’d try and go in behind us a lot and at times we’d have to soak that long ball up.

“So we knew our goals would probably come from counter-attacks and it worked that way. When you get a plan like that that comes together and it works, as a coach, there’s nothing better. But for it to work, the players have to execute it and I thought today it was absolutely outstanding.

“We knew we were going to have to win our individual duels in 90% of the pitch,” he explained. “Richard’s won his duel in the first five seconds… he set the tone of what it was about and he carried that on.

“For such a young player to have that discipline for 95 minutes, it’s incredible… his future’s so big, it’s so bright.

“Digger [David Davis] had the last word today… what he said blew my mind. I was nearly in tears because the words he used in terms of one of the best dressing rooms he’s ever been in.

“You can’t put a price on that… we’ve built something special here at the minute and we’re still building.”

SOUTH SHIELDS 1-0 BUXTON

South Shields owner Geoff Thompson said in an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle, per the Northern Echo: “It’s been an amazing day and I’m delighted for everyone involved. I think the allocation for Kidderminster next week is around 1,200 so we will have 1,200 away fans here. Our capacity is 4,000, so I expect a full house here next week and what an occasion it will be.

“I got involved here around 11 years ago and we were playing at the lower end of Northern League Division Two.

“It’s not down to me, it’s down to the fans, but what a journey we’ve had and it could be the fifth promotion if we get through next Saturday. Incredible, let’s just hope we can do it.

“I’m slightly cautious about predicting things because Kidderminster are a very strong side but we have every chance to beat them. Can you imagine? Here we are, South Shields, into the National League and then one step away from the Football League again. Who knows? We have to dream, don’t we?”

HORNCHURCH 2-0 WESTON-SUPER-MARE

TORQUAY 4-2 DORKING

Torquay manager Jimmy Ball told BBC Radio Devon: “When you work a week on a plan to exploit another team and it works really, really well it’s always pleasing.

“The players have to execute what you’re asking them to execute, they have to believe in it and follow it, and they did to a man – from a managerial point of view, that is pleasing.

“Dorking were a really, really good side with some fantastic players but I think we got the better of them today in all areas.”

On Deon Moore: “When I brought him in, that’s what I knew he was capable of.

“He’s playing a bit angry, which is great, he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder, a point to prove, and there’s nothing better than that.

“We’ve got to keep that mentality and that’s going to be the goal going forward this week.”

Dorking’s Marc White tweeted: “When we started in Division 5 of the Crawley & District League and supplied our own referee, it would have been a dream to be a big game for an iconic club like Torquay, I am so proud of our 5th Play Off place from 5 seasons in the NLS, our success is always others jealousy, enjoy the flattery.

“Well done to @TUFC1899 on a deserved win. Thanks to our amazing supporters for standing besides us in a very challenging season. We will be back! 😘”

POST-MATCH REACTION:

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