Final day sees 23/24 National League, North and South playoffs and relegation confirmed

Final day sees the National League, North and South playoffs and relegation for the 23/24 season confirmed, this is how it played out.

In the National League, Chesterfield had already won the title, with the playoffs and relegation battles are going down to the wire.

Barnet, Bromley, Altrincham, Solihull Moors and Gateshead are the five teams already confirmed for the playoffs. The final spot sees a three-way battle between Halifax, Aldershot and Southend.

The relegation battle has been quite the enthralling for weeks with many teams having been in danger. But as the last few rounds of games were played out, teams have climbed to safety and we’re left with five teams scrambling for safety including Wealdstone, York, Ebbsfleet, Woking and Boreham Wood.

So how did it play out?

NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL DAY

GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 1 (Charlie Carter 7′) Hartlepool United 0
GOAL – Southend United 1 (Gus Scott-Morriss 8′) Rochdale 0
GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 1 Hartlepool United 1 (Emmanuel Dieseruvwe 11′)
GOAL – Gateshead 0 Bromley 1 (Olufela Olomola 12′)
Own Goal – Dorking Wanderers 1 (Barry Fuller 12′) Hartlepool United 2
GOAL – Oldham Athletic 1 (Mike Fondop-Talum 17′) Wealdstone 0
GOAL – Eastleigh 0 FC Halifax Town 1 (Adan George 27′)
GOAL – Barnet 1 (Danny Collinge 33′) Kidderminster Harriers 0
GOAL – Chesterfield 1 (Liam Mandeville 29′) Maidenhead United 0
GOAL – Dagenham and Redbridge 1 (Inih Effiong 34′) Aldershot Town 0
GOAL – Chesterfield 2 (Joe Quigley 31′) Maidenhead United 0
GOAL – Southend United 1 Rochdale 1 (Cian Hayes 42′)
GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 1 Hartlepool United 3 (Emmanuel Dieseruvwe 43′)
GOAL – Barnet 2 (Nicke Kabamba 44′) Kidderminster Harriers 0
Penalty Scored – Altrincham 1 (Regan Linney 42′) Oxford City 0
GOAL – Woking 1 (Tunji Akinola 45+5′) AFC Fylde 0

HT Altrincham 1-0 Oxford City
HT Barnet 2-0 Kidderminster Harriers
HT Boreham Wood 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
HT Chesterfield 2-0 Maidenhead United
HT Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Aldershot Town
HT Dorking Wanderers 1-3 Hartlepool United
HT Eastleigh 0-1 FC Halifax Town
HT Gateshead 0-1 Bromley
HT Oldham Athletic 1-0 Wealdstone
HT Solihull Moors 0-0 York City
HT Southend United 1-1 Rochdale
HT Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde

GOAL – Barnet 3 (Luke Freeman 48′) Kidderminster Harriers 0
GOAL – Oldham Athletic 1 Wealdstone 1 (Jack Young 47′)
GOAL – Woking 2 (Tunji Akinola 51′) AFC Fylde 0
GOAL – Oldham Athletic 1 Wealdstone 2 (Sam Bowen 52′)
GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 2 (Jimmy Muitt 50′) Hartlepool United 3
GOAL – Chesterfield 2 Maidenhead United 1 (Tristan Abrahams 52′)
GOAL – Oldham Athletic 2 (Mike Fondop-Talum 56′) Wealdstone 2
GOAL – Barnet 3 Kidderminster Harriers 1 (Charlie Weston 60′)
GOAL – Chesterfield 2 Maidenhead United 2 (Kevin Lokko 55′)
GOAL – Eastleigh 0 FC Halifax Town 2 (Jamie Cooke 61′)
GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 2 Hartlepool United 4 (Joe Grey 59′)
GOAL – Eastleigh 0 FC Halifax Town 3 (Max Wright 70′)
GOAL – Dagenham and Redbridge 1 Aldershot Town 2 (Lorent Tolaj 72′)
GOAL – Oldham Athletic 2 Wealdstone 3 (Mason Barrett 74′)
GOAL – Woking 3 (Kevin Berkoe 77′) AFC Fylde 0
GOAL – Dorking Wanderers 3 (Jimmy Muitt 77′) Hartlepool United 4
GOAL – Gateshead 1 (Greg Olley 77′) Bromley 1
GOAL – Dagenham and Redbridge 2 (Ryan Hill 82′) Aldershot Town 2
Goal Disallowed for Offside – (Tshimanga 85′) Boreham Wood
GOAL – Solihull Moors 1 (Jack Stevens 87′) York City 0
GOAL – Gateshead 2 (Louis Storey 88′) Bromley 1
GOAL – Barnet 4 (Idris Kanu 90+4′) Kidderminster Harriers 1
GOAL – Chesterfield 3 (Oliver Banks 89′) Maidenhead United 2
GOAL – Dagenham and Redbridge 3 (Dion Pereira 90+3′) Aldershot Town 2
GOAL – Southend United 1 Rochdale 2 (Devante Rodney 90+1′)
GOAL – Dagenham and Redbridge 3 Aldershot Town 3 (Josh Barrett 90+7′)

FT Altrincham (1) 1-0 (0) Oxford City
FT Barnet (2) 4-1 (0) Kidderminster Harriers
FT Boreham Wood (0) 0-0 (0) Ebbsfleet United
FT Chesterfield (2) 3-2 (0) Maidenhead United
FT Dagenham & Redbridge (1) 3-3 (0) Aldershot Town
FT Dorking Wanderers (1) 3-4 (3) Hartlepool United
FT Eastleigh (0) 0-3 (1) FC Halifax Town
FT Gateshead (0) 2-1 (1) Bromley
FT Oldham Athletic (1) 2-3 (0) Wealdstone
FT Solihull Moors (0) 1-0 (0) York City
FT Southend United (1) 1-2 (1) Rochdale
FT Woking (1) 3-0 (0) AFC Fylde

Halifax get the last playoff place
Boreham Wood are relegated

TNT Sports will cover all National division play-off games including the Vanarama National League Promotion Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 5 May, kick-off at 3pm.

(This date has been changed on the advice of Wembley Stadium due to the ASLEF strike on Saturday 4 May)

Gateshead were due to play Solihull in the playoffs, however a day after the final day, Gateshead were told that they do not meet the criteria for membership to the EFL, who say “the Club has been unable attain security of tenure to play in matches at its Stadium for a Minuit 10 seasons.” Under the rules, the club cannot be replaced, and they will be removed from the planned fixture on Tuesday 23 April 2024. The outcome of this is that Altrincham will get a bye to the semi-finals, NOT Solihull as initially announced.

Read more on this decision HERE.

Eliminator A – Wednesday 28 April – Solihull Moors v FC Halifax Town – 7pm
Semi-Final – Saturday 27 April – Barnet v Solihull Moors/FC Halifax Town – 5.30pm
Semi-Final – Sunday 28 April – Bromley v Altrincham – 4pm
Promotion Final – Sunday 5 May – 3pm

It’s goodbye to Boreham Wood

Ebbsfleet United survive on a dramatic final day after a tense goalless draw #TheVanarama pic.twitter.com/kvv7lAO556

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) April 20, 2024

Danny Searle celebrates Ebbsfleet’s safety – what a job he had done 👏 pic.twitter.com/8aL8dSa3Hz

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) April 20, 2024

NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH

There are still two play-off positions that need to be confirmed.

Curzon Ashton are currently in a strong position to secure one of them, while Boston United’s hold on the other spot is not secure.

Curzon Ashton only need a single point against Bishop’s Stortford to secure their place in the play-offs.

On the other hand, Boston United will continue in the competition if they win against Hereford.

Hereford still has a mathematical chance, but they would need a significant goal difference swing to make it.

If Boston United draws or loses against Edgar Street, South Shields will move up the table if they defeat Southport.

If both teams fail to secure a win, Spennymoor Town will have a chance as they face King’s Lynn Town at home.

Farsley Celtic will face relegation if they lose to Buxton, and the same fate awaits them if Blyth Spartans defeat Brackley Town.

However, Brackley Town is aiming for a play-off advantage, and a victory would secure their spot without having to go through the Eliminators.

Rushall Olympic is unlikely to be relegated, even a loss against Warrington Town is unlikely to send them down due to their superior goal difference.

FT Banbury United (0) 0-3 (1) Tamworth
FT Bishop’s Stortford (0) 0-0 (0) Curzon Ashton
FT Blyth Spartans (0) 1-5 (4) Brackley Town
FT Chester (0) 0-0 (0) Darlington
FT Farsley Celtic (1) 2-0 (0) Buxton
FT Gloucester City (1) 1-2 (0) Scunthorpe United
FT Hereford (0) 0-2 (0) Boston United
FT Peterborough Sports (0) 1-3 (2) Chorley
FT Rushall Olympic (0) 0-0 (0) Warrington Town
FT Scarborough Athletic (0) 0-1 (1) Alfreton Town
FT South Shields (2) 3-0 (0) Southport
FT Spennymoor Town (1) 3-0 (0) King’s Lynn Town

Boston and Curzon Ashton get a place in the National League North playoffs
Blyth Spartans are relegated

TNT Sports will again cover the Vanarama National League North Promotion Final on Saturday 4 May, kick-off at 3.30pm.

All other play-off matches in the North and South will be available on National League TV.

Eliminator A – (Alfreton v Boston) – Tuesday 23 April – 7.45pm
Eliminator B – (Chorley v Curzon Ashton) – Wednesday 24 April – 7.45pm
Semi-Final – (Scunthorpe v Alfreton or Boston) – Saturday 27 April – 3pm
Semi-Final – (Brackley v Chorley or Curzon Ashton) – Sunday 28 April – 3pm
Promotion Final – Saturday 4 May – 3.30pm

NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

Bath City were in a favorable position to secure one of the final two play-off spots.

A significant goal difference was required at Aveley, one of the clubs vying for a spot, but obtaining a point in Essex would guarantee their spot.

The Millers have had a successful first year, but they won’t not qualify unless they defeat the Romans – or if Hampton & Richmond emerge victorious against Maidstone United.

A draw at the Gallagher Stadium would suffice, even if Aveley narrowly wins, as the Beavers have a three-goal advantage.

However, Farnborough would qualify if Hampton and Aveley fon’t win, and Spencer Day’s team triumphs at Weymouth.

The top three positions are all still open. Chelmsford City would secure one if they win against Chippenham, but if they don’t, other teams could seize the opportunity.

Worthing will also advance to the semi-finals if they emerge victorious against a fatigued Weston-super-Mare.

If any of the top teams falter, fourth-placed Braintree would fancy their chances if they can defeat the not-yet-safe Eastbourne Borough.

Maidstone United could also qualify, but they must secure a victory against Hampton at home to have any hope.

FT Aveley (1) 2-0 (0) Bath City
FT Braintree Town (1) 2-3 (1) Eastbourne Borough
FT Chippenham Town (0) 1-1 (1) Chelmsford City
FT Dartford (1) 2-1 (0) Truro City
FT Dover Athletic (0) 1-3 (2) Yeovil Town
FT Maidstone United (2) 5-1 (1) Hampton & Richmond Borough
FT Slough Town (0) 1-1 (0) Welling United
FT Taunton Town (0) 0-0 (0) Hemel Hempstead Town
FT Tonbridge Angels (0) 2-2 (1) St Albans City
FT Torquay United (4) 5-0 (0) Havant & Waterlooville
FT Weymouth (1) 1-2 (1) Farnborough
FT Worthing (3) 4-2 (2) Weston-super-Mare

TNT Sports will once again cover the Vanarama National League South Promotion Final on Monday 6 May, kick-off at 3pm.

All other play-off matches in the North and South will be available on National League TV.

Eliminator A – (Braintree v Bath) – Tuesday 23 April – 7.45pm
Eliminator B – (Maidstone v Aveley) – Wednesday 24 April – 7.45pm
Semi-Final – (Chelmsford v Braintree or Bath) – Saturday 27 April – 3pm
Semi-Final – (Worthing v Maidstone or Aveley) – Sunday 28 April – 3pm
Promotion Final – Monday 6 May – 3pm

Promotion Finals in the Vanarama National League North and South will take place at the home ground of the finalist club who finished higher in the league table during the regular season.