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Penalty shootout decides thrilling National League playoff final between Boreham Wood and Rochdale

A penalty shootout decides what played out to be a thrilling National League playoff final between Boreham Wood and Rochdale.

Rochdale came into this hoping to return to League Two after three seasons away. They suffered heartbreak at the end of the regular 2025/26 season, finishing the season 2nd, on 106 points, missing out on automatic promotion after that dramatic final day against the York, who won the title.

Boreham Wood, who ended the campaign 4th and with 90 points, were eyeing a place in the Football League for the first time.

Matt Rush put Boreham Wood ahead 22 minutes in, before Abdul Abdulmalik added a second for Luke Garrard’s side with around 20 minutes of the second half to go.

Tyler Smith came off the bench to pull one back for Dale on the 79th minute, setting up a tense finish, but Boreham Wood held on for the win.

With just seconds to go, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe grabbed Rochdale a very late equaliser, directed in via a defender, taking the tie to extra time. Also sees Boreham Wood go into extra-time for a third successive play-off game. But spot kicks were need to settle this one.

PENALTIES:

Boreham Wood 0-0 Rochdale – (Callum Reynolds – Penalty saved)
Boreham Wood 0-1 Rochdale – (Sam Beckwith – Penalty scored)
Boreham Wood 1-1 Rochdale – (Erico Sousa – Penalty scored)
Boreham Wood 1-2 Rochdale – (Ed Francis – Penalty scored)
Boreham Wood 1-2 Rochdale – (Matt Rush – Penalty saved)
Boreham Wood 1-3 Rochdale – (Callum Perry – Penalty scored)
Boreham Wood 1-3 Rochdale – (Cameron Coxe – Penalty hits bar)

ROCHDALE WIN THE SHOOTOUT

Derek Payne (ex-Watford player on BBC Three Counties Radio), as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “I think you have to give Rochdale credit, especially when talking about mental strength. The drama of the National League this season has been fantastic. I’ll go back to the first goal Boreham Wood conceded was a big blow, it was a soft blow.”

Gus Scott-Morriss (Southend United defender on DAZN): “We thought the game was dead but you just felt there was one more chance and Rochdale have taken it. It was incredible, fair play to Emmanuel Dieseruvwe he’s done it for them and we go to extra-time, just amazing.”

Calvin Andrew (Ex-Rochdale player on BBC Radio Manchester): “What an unbelievable scene we are seeing here! History has been made, Rochdale have done this in the most exciting and entertaining fashion. Ollie Whatmuff was fantastic.”

Stuart Maynard (York City boss on DAZN): “Oliver Whatmuff has been unreal in goal for Rochdale this season. I wonder if Boreham Wood had another substitution available they might have brought on Nathan Ashmore as he’s an excellent penalty stopper.”

Here’s how fans reacted after a penalty shootout decides what played out to be a thrilling National League playoff final between Boreham Wood and Rochdale…

@MUFCBreeze: Shouldn’t have even had to be this way. Congrats Rochdale

@epicfail2048: Congratulations Dale from your old pals Plymouth. Welcome back to the football league 💚

@Ryannx97: Well done Rochdale. Big effort from the lows of losing it in the last minute. Back to where you belong.

@Declan86868411: Get in lads welcome back to the EFL! Completely deserved after the season you had

@andy_b1969: Congratulations from a shrimper….enjoy your evening!!

@alfiecassidy62: Should of went up automatically #3UP. Congratulations justice has prevailed

@Gareth_Wilson95: Wow! So nearly didn’t get there as well! EFL and National league needs to sort out 2 up. Feel for boreham wood, they’ve been amazing today

@S10propaganda: Well done lads and lasses. Done the whole country a service would have been a crime against football if whatever that is you’ve just beaten had gone up.

@aviationbyjames: definitely the most fair and deserved result, to not go up on 100+ points would have been a disgrace, congrats 👏

@ycfc19842026: Congratulations fully deserved after your season 👏

@andy_sufc: Deserved. Despite me giving it to ya all year. It’s banter lads but hats off 🤝

@JoshuaJ18864798: Congrats guys, only fair we both went up see you next year 🙌

@tommyouting: You see, last minute goal + no pitch invasion = promotion. You learned your lesson, lads, that’s all you can ask in life.

@SteveBottomley1: Wow! Talk about nail biting!! Congratulations and welcome back to the EFL! 💪🏻😎👍🏻

@BEN2911: Congratulations from a Notts fan! We know how it feels to get 100+ and not go up automatically! The footballing gods done their magic again 👏

@JoeWills387897: Well done and congratulations for achieving promotion back to the EFL after 3 seasons away, I’m very glad indeed they have been promoted back to the EFL because to have 106 points and not be promoted would have been very cruel indeed.

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