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2025/26 National League, North, South play-off semi finals confirmed following eliminators

The 2025/26 National League, North, South play-off semi finals are now confirmed following this week’s eliminators.

On Wednesday night, in the National League, Boreham Wood knocked Forest Green through Zak Brunt’s goal on 107 minutes in extra time.

In the first half, Boreham Wood had the ball in the back of the net but the goal didn’t stand. We also saw Harry Isted put in some incredible saves throughout the match, players in confrontation, and chances leaving those with heads in hands.

Boreham Wood will now get set to play Carlisle United, who finished in 3rd place, taking place Sunday at 12:30pm.

Click HERE to check out how Tuesday night’s eliminators played out, three teams setting up three semi finals.

In the National League North, Macclesfield beat Chester 2-1, with Luke Duffy scoring a 98th minute to set up a semi final meeting with Kidderminster.

Connor Woods had put Chester ahead on 36 minutes, but Josh Kay then got one back for Macclesfield on 66 minutes.

Stewards and police were on standby for any trouble that took place before, during and after the game, in and outside the stadium.

In the National League South, Dorking Wanderers progressed through to the semi final after a 2-0 win at home against Maidenhead, thanks to goals from Alfie Rutherford and Harry Sidwell.

Frank Vincent nearly made it 3-0 after rattling the crossbar late on.

They will head to Torquay United for the playoff semi final on Saturday, kicking off at 12:30pm.

National League play-offs:
– Semi-Final: (Carlisle United v Boreham Wood) Sunday, 12:30pm
– Semi-Final: (Rochdale v Scunthorpe United) Sunday, 3pm
– Final: Sunday 10 May (Wembley)

National League South play-offs:
– Semi-Final (Torquay United v Dorking Wanderers)– Saturday, 12:30pm
– Semi-Final (Hornchurch v Weston-super-Mare) – Saturday, 4pm
– Final – Saturday 9 May

National League North play-offs:
– Semi-Final: (Kidderminster Harriers v Macclesfield) – Saturday, 12:30pm
– Semi-Final: (South Shields v Buxton) – Saturday, 4pm
– Final – Saturday 9 May

Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard said on DAZN, per News & Star: “We’ve got confidence and belief from 46 games. You don’t get 90 points in a 46-game season without having a bit of quality.

“We haven’t landed here with luck.

“We respect them [Carlisle] hugely. I respect Mark Hughes, the job they’ve done up at Carlisle, their fans – we know how tough it’s going to be.

“We’re not foolish. But we’re tailor-made for one-off matches.

“This is the mindset we’ve got to have. The 46-game season has been put to bed and we’re one in three in the play-offs.

“Full respect to Carlisle. We go there full of momentum, belief and [aim to] deliver on the job.

“Carlisle are a fantastic team with a fantastic manager, and personnel who can cause you problems. But we also have personnel that hurts teams.

“I’m already trying to prep Carlisle.

“I’ll have insomnia [tonight], so I’ll go and watch a Carlisle game.

On the Forest Green win: “What an advert for the National League. The Rochdale-York game was incredible and I think tonight shows the level of personnel, and managers, and players, in the National League.

“It was a proper ding-dong and I’m thankful we came out on the positive side.

“When we’ve got personnel [like we do] I want to open the game up.

“We’re a side that’s on the front foot and want to attack teams.”

Forest Green manager Robbie Savage said, per Gloucestershire Live: “I told the boys in the dressing room to leave with their heads held high.

“I’m proud of our football club tonight, I’m proud of the 600 away fans, our fans, who made unbelievable noise, stuck with the team.

“It was a moment that got them the goal. Harry made some outstanding saves, we had some massive chances as well, it was a great game of football, and I want to congratulate Luke and his team.

“If it had gone to penalties, it probably would have been a fair reflection on the game.

“I told the boys in the dressing room to leave with their heads held high, go with pride, go back with their family and enjoy their time off, and we’ll be back in and look to go one step further next year.”

The rest of the interviews from Wednesday night can be seen below…

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