A Stockport fan slide tackles the Stevenage keeper from behind, and flares were thrown at fans during a pitch invasion.
Several Stockport fans were seen to push, shove and bring down Stevenage’s Filip Marschall following the final whistle.
Kyle Wootton also enjoyed winding up the Stevenage fans during his goal celebration when he scored the Hatters’ second 28 minutes in, the aggregate scoreline 3-0 and booked Stockport’s place in the League One playoff final.
😠Absolute CHAOS during Stockport County’s pitch invasion last night…
A fan actually came flying in with a two-footed challenge on the Stevenage keeper from behind. 💀
(Goalkeeper in the bright yellow kit in the middle of the screen.) pic.twitter.com/MoSxYccBss
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) May 14, 2026
Stevenage boss Alex Revell told BBC Three Counties Radio: “We’re all gutted, absolutely gutted, and it’s going to take us a little while to get over it, but Stockport were here last year.
“We have to use that now – use what they did last summer this season to make sure that we finish better than we have now.
“I think what the players have achieved this year, we won’t feel it now because we’re all disappointed, but I’m really proud to manage this team and this group and to get to where we’ve got to.
“Tonight we just fell short. Over the two legs we’ve probably just fallen short if I’m honest but no blame on these players in terms of how hard they work for this football club.
“We all know that this time of year is meetings with players and things to discuss what’s next.
“I think the focus has been on the play-offs, our focus has been on trying to get through these two games.
“Now it’s about rebuilding and making sure that this group is strong again next year.
“This group is so special – I love working with them all – and we’ve got to make sure we protect that.”
Revell speaking to Sky Sports as per BBC Sport’s live blog:
“I’m gutted for the group. and everybody that travelled tonight
“I think in that first half we allowed them to play their game at home, and the atmosphere grew, and we conceded two poor goals from our point of view.
“But in the second half, I saw a team that showed our standards and our levels, and what we expect from this football team, and they’ve done so well this year.
“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved. Obviously, everyone is gutted because you know how close you are to Wembley but Stockport were here this time last year, and we have to use that now for the next season to make sure that this time, next year, it’s us that’s going up.
“No one expected us to be here, we’ve deserved it over the 46 games, and these players do so much for each other.
“They come in and train every day to their maximum, they’ve achieved and set standards that no one expected, apart from probably us within the group thus far.
“I’m so proud of everything, especially seeing the following that we had today. This club is moving absolutely in the right direction, and we just have to make sure we keep pushing that.
“It’s disappointing tonight, and I’m sure that’ll hurt for a few days, but when we come out of that, I’m sure that we’ll all see what an incredible year it’s been.”
Stockport boss Dave Challinor said to Sky Sports:
“It was an amazing night and now we have a one off game at Wembley to get to the Championship.
“The late goal on Saturday certainly made a difference, we needed to start well and those two early goals gave us something to hold on to.
“The players were fantastic in an emotional environment. We’ve been thinking about last season’s disappointment for the whole season and using that as inspiration.”
On using last season’s play-off heartvreak as fuel for the 2025/26 season:
“It’s helped all year, and there’s been plenty of adversity alongside that.
“It certainly hurt me. I’ve been involved in lots and lots of playoff games. I’ve been through the mill in terms of winning and losing.
“I think the big thing when we came back from the pre-season was the players. That was a real tough one to take, because probably going to the play-offs last year, we were in a better place than we are than we are this year. We played well in the two play-off games and things conspired against us.
“So to react in the manner that we did, lots of up and downs this season, but to get to this situation and put ourselves into a final is a massive effort and massive congratulations to the boys.
“They’re a good group, the big thing for me with them is I’m massively demanding of the players. I’ll always be that. But it’s from a place of wanting them to do really well, and not wanting them to just be happy in League One.
“The opportunities now in the modern game are massive. But in order to do that, you’ve got to be bang at it in my eyes every single day. If you do that you’ll get the rewards. So, they’ve earned themselves an opportunity in lots of adversity with the injuries that we’ve had.
“We know that we’ll face a good team that we’re playing against. I’ll enjoy watching Bradford and Bolton tomorrow, and see who we play at Wembley.”
Stockport’s Louie Barry speaking to Sky Sports:
“The two quick goals early on put us on the front foot.
“Credit to him [Kyle Wootton] because he’s had to sacrifice himself at the back and he got the goal.
“We will enjoy it. It’s a massive thing to get to Wembley again. We will enjoy it now but next week we will get our heads towards it.
“Whoever it is, I feel like we’ve got the confidence to put a performance together and win.”
On his goal in the first half: “It felt unbelievable. Something I’ve never felt before. I’ve scored important goals in the league but never scored in play-offs before, it means a lot to me.
“The referee has done really well because he played the advantage. I saw he has the whistle in his mouth.
“When you get that first goal, everyone takes a deep breath, especially the crowd.”
Stockport’s Ollie Norwood speaking to Sky Sports:
“These play-off games are always edgy.
“I don’t think you can ever relax. One goal changes the atmosphere, it changes everything.
“I’m 35 now but I’m still managing to keep up with them [the younger lads].
“I’m just so proud of everyone. The rise of the club, to be part of that journey, I’m just so proud.
“I’m the older player in the team so there’s a lot of responsibility. I’ve loved every minute since I signed.
“There’s a lot to be said about having the older players in the group. You rely heavily on experience and that just comes with playing a lot of games.”
Here’s the social media reaction after a Stockport fan slide tackles a Stevenage keeper and flares were thrown at fans during the pitch invasion…
@anotherborofan: Actually disgusting from those FEW Stockport fans. Including those who threw the flares into the away end, which I cannot find videos of. Unnecessary, just enjoy the moment.
@ReeceDSport: Not even funny is it. Said the same for ours and I’ll say it here. Leave the other side alone
@FulhamSense: People that find this sort of thing funny have the same IQ as an ostrich. Degenerates.
@Govey24: That’s assault. How is that funny in any way?
@SFCPodcast: Unacceptable.
@SFC_Interviews: Disgusting behaviour from some of the Stockport fans after the game. Absolutely no place for people like this who are just out to hurt others in the game or society in general.
@Lewis_Conner_: Regardless of what club it is this just isn’t on. Get on the pitch have your fun but leave the opposition players alone. Especially if you’re going out to hurt them. This is their livelihood remember
@StevenageLuca: Disgraceful. A number of incidents that should receive big repercussions. Go celebrate with your own fans, leave the conflict alone.
@AGroundsss: Always one cock end isn’t there. Just enjoy the moment the obsession with doing things to the opposition players or fans it’s just strange in every way.
@Stuartjamess: Not really funny is it? What if that ends his career? Fucking morons
@Tobyypufc: He won’t be going to Wembley, what an absolute muppet
@BenS17sfc: @StockportCounty this the type of fan u want at your club?
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