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Painful end to season for Walsall as AFC Wimbledon return to League One with playoff final win

It was a painful end to the 2024/25 season for Walsall as AFC Wimbledon return back to League One with a playoff final win.

It was a pretty open start in the first 10 minutes of the League Two showpiece, both teams having a go, Walsall stringing a few passes together around the box, but fail to take up decent shooting opportunities.

After 20 minutes without a shot, the first chance of the game went to Wimbledon, with Myles Hippolyte receiving a lay-off and sent a shot wide of the right-hand post.

On the half hour mark, the game struggled to open up Wimbledon having slightly more of the ball and looked a tad more threatening when going forward.

Then Marcus Browne, a yard or two of space about 25 yards out, send a shot low and hard, looked to on it’s way into the bottom corner, only for Tommy Simkin to get down and tip to his left and tip it around the post.

Walsall’s Harry Williams had to go off midway after slipping as he tried to block that shot injuring himself in the process. Oisin McEntee replaced him.

With half time approaching, AFC Wimbledon’s Alistair Smith took a slightly heavy touch as he made his way towards the edge of the box and Taylor Allen was there to block off his route to goal.

A big much needed breakthrough in injury time of the first half, the ball ricocheting around the Walsall penalty area, it fell to Myles Hippolyte on the edge of the box, a half-volley into the far corner. His first goal since October.

Walsall’s end to the season a frustrating one, were 12 points clear at the top of the table in mid-January and 15 clear of fourth place, then just three wins in their final 21 games meant they had to settle for a spot in the play-offs.

They managed to get to the final, but missing out would only just make it all the more painful. A much improved second half needed.

And Walsall almost draw level within five minutes of the restart, Jamille Matt getting on the end of a cross from the right and sent it through goalkeeper Owen Goodman’s legs with a deft touch at the near post, however Riley Harbottle cleared off the line for AFC Wimbledon.

The game continued to spring into life.

Walsall full back Nathan Asiimwe went into an aerial challenge with Wimbledon’s Marcus Browne and caught one to the face. Luckily able to play on.

The Saddlers then got their first shot of the match, Jamille Matt’s effort cleared off the line.

AFC Wimbledon’s Riley Harbottle received treatment having taken a blow to the head. He was bandaged up.

Marcus Brown struck the ball from 15 yards out, Walsall blocked it with 30 minutes remaining and the rain coming down.

Walsall boss Mat Sadler brought off Jamie Jellis and Jamille Matt, with Levi Amantchi and Albert Adomah subbed on.

The second half much more end to end, Levi Amantchi nearly made an instant impact for Walsall, pace and power saw him get round Joe Lewis, but a tame shot followed straight at Owen Goodman.

Walsall boss Mat Sadler wanted a penalty, claiming that Lewis held of the striker’s shirt. Nothing was given.

On the 70th minute, Josh Neufville managed to get his way through for Wimbledon, an effort on target from the angle from about 10 yards out only to be saved by Walsall stopper Tommy Simkin.

More subs. Walsall’s Alfie Chang and Nathan Asiimwe were withdrawn. On came Connor Barrett and Charlie Lakin.

AFC Wimbledon’s top goalscorer Matty Stevens was replaced by Josh Kelly.

Walsall tried to build a bit of momentum in this second half struggled to make it count, while AFC Wimbledon showed why the have one of the toughest defence in the league.

AFC Wimbledon made some more subs, trying to hold on to the win. Myles Hippolyte and Marcus Browne off. Callum Maycock and Aron Sasu on.

Walsall sent one last free-kick into the AFC Wimbledon box but it’s cleared yet and the final whistle blew. Wimbledon back in League One,

Here’s how fans reacted with it a painful end to season for Walsall as AFC Wimbledon return to League One with a playoff final win…

@Bluenose_Andy: Well done. Good to see Wimbledon a division above MK Dons.

@jakebeddard: Fans were calling for Johnnie Jackson’s head almost as soon as he walked through the door. To get us back to the third division is such a credit to him and his resilience #AFCW

@sixpointertom: If I was a #Saddlers supporter I’d be absolutely FUMING. Not only their awful run of form in 2025 but to go to a Wembley final and serve THAT up. Offered no attacking threat whatsoever and #AFCW barely had to change gear.

@ashers1157: I was obsessed with Johnnie Jackson when he was at Spurs (I may have then followed his career) but not #AFCW are in league 1… I might just have to take the kids to Lincoln City games 🤣

@Dalb89: Has there ever been a bigger bottle job in the #efl than Walsall this season? Congratulations to #afcw , great to see them a league above MK.

@kernow_argyle: 🎵 Wimbledon Away Allez Allez 🎵 Buzzing! One ground I really want to tick off! #pafc #afcw

@BoozerArab: AFC Wimbledon playing in the league above MK Dons just makes me feel a little bit warm inside.

@Streettough: A very good mate of mine tragically passed last week very suddenly. Huge AFC Wimbledon fan and he would have been loving this. Huge congrats

@LiamKenniford: Fair play to Wimbledon but that’s one hell of a bottle job from Walsall considering the position and the points difference they had 🙈🙈

@9_Hendo: Yeah, Walsall failing to get promoted has to be right up there as one of, if not the biggest bottlejobs English football has seen. 12 points clear at the top with a game in hand was it? To finish in the playoffs and lose the final? Ouch.

@davidwt1997: A really disappointing end to the #Saddlers season. Star players such as Taylor Allen, Jamie Jellis and Jamille Matt struggled against a physical Wimbledon side and face another season in the fourth tier.

@mattparaice4: That’s got to be one of the biggest collapses ever! Top on 58 points after 25 games to then miss out in the playoffs! #bcafc #saddlers #league2

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