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Two teams secure promotion in National League North and South playoff finals

Two teams secure promotion in the much anticipated National League North and South playoff finals on Saturday afternoon.

Both York City and Boston United had to negotiate two matches to reach the playoff final with both having to do the job in front of a sold out crowd at the LNER Community Stadium.

Boston United won at both at Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Fylde while the Minstermen believe this is their time, after being an EFL club as recent as 2016, fans hope John Askey can begin their climb back with playoff wins over Chorley and Brackley putting them one win away from glory.

Dorking Wanderers and Ebbsfleet United went head to head also, the teams who finished second and third facing-off.

Dorking go into the game as favourites to continue their incredible rise and what a story they have had so far.

Manager Marc White started the club in 1999 with his friends after falling out of love with the pro game due to Wimbledon’s relocation to Milton Keynes. Now they are just 90 minutes away from an incredible 12th promotion.

Dorking saw their 2020/21 campaign curtailed last due to the pandemic and the club sat on top.

But Ebbsfleet United and their German manager Dennis Kutrieb will look to cause more pain for them.

No side have won more away games than Ebbsfleet have this term, but lost 5-1 the last time they went to Dorking in January.

The Kent club will be well aware of the hosts’ home form, winning 18 of their 21 home matches this term – scoring 61 times.

So how did the National League and South playoff finals play out? Take a look below…

Boston kicked off at York and the ball was already in the stands. York throw in a minute in.

Boston had a goal kick after a poor long ball forward from City with Sanders then doing well to defend and the Pilgrims had the first corner of the game, which went out for another corner, then Jameson punched clear and Kouhyar found Hancox with a ball forward.

It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken, six minutes in fact when York fans erupted. The throw-in was poorly dealt with by Boston and the ball soon found the feet of John-Lewis. The striker made no mistake and slotted the ball past Dewhurst with a calm and composed finish. York 1-0 Boston

Meanwhile in the Dorking game, the Fleet started brighter, Bingham stumbled as he tries to get a shot off outside the six yard box, before his side then clipped the crossbar from a corner ball.

Back to York now and Boston tried to get an instant equaliser as Shiels tried an acrobatic effort but could only blast his attempt over the bar.

Minutes later, York’s Olly Dyson took a free-kick short and had the ball played back to him before slotting it through beautifully to McLaughlin. The midfielder evaded his marker but his strike went wide.

Jameson did well to claw the corner clear and then Boston were adamant they should have had a penalty after it looked as though it was ball to hand.

York had a free-kick with Boston manager Paul Cox not happy and held talks with the officials with the Pilgrims wanting a penalty.

A one-two between McLaughlin and Kouhyar nearly paid off for City, but Kouhyar couldn’t beat his defender.

Back at Meadowbank in Surrey and deadlock was broken after 22 minutes, Bingham latched on to a great through ball from deep and slotted past Lincoln to make it Dorking 0-1 Ebbsfleet.

Dorking started to push on, McShane’s neat through ball was crossed in by Muitt, Prior headed it over the top.

Paxman cut the ball back for Chapman from the left flank, though his clipped effort was caught by Lincoln.

Prior’s chipped ball into the box found Muitt, he brought it back to Rutherford who after taking a touch saw his shot blocked at point blank range.

Cheadle fired a direct free kick opportunity into the wall, the ball spilled out to Fuller but his scuffed effort was caught by keeper Moulden.

Paxman collected the first caution of the afternoon after reacting to Gallagher’s challenge near the dug outs, before Paxman then went up field and his shot at goal was closed down.

Dorking got an equaliser in the 44th minute, a ball clipped in from deep was knocked down for McShane in the box, he took a touch before slotting home several yards out! Dorking 1-1 Ebbsfleet. The half ended shortly after that.

How did the end of the first half played out at York? In the 27th minute, Kouhyar did well and found McLaughlin could only drive an effort over the bar.

York won their first corner of the game with Ferguson making a really good tackle on McLaughlin, the corner was dangerous, though none of the York players could create a chance from it. The ball fell to Akil Wright who shot well wide.

The rest of the remaining ten minute played out to be more end-to-end with York having the better of chances but couldn’t extend their lead.

HALF TIME SCORES:
York 1-0 Boston
Dorking 1-1 Ebbsfleet

York tried to create something down the right wing at the beginning of the second half, but it was dealt with by Boston.

From a Boston corner, Garner won the header after Jameson missed the punch, but it went over the bar, then Kouogun was booked for hitting the ball from the hands of a Pilgrims player who was looking to take a throw-in.

McLaughlin fouled a Boston player when pulling his shirt with the resulting free-kick going out for a goal-kick to the Minstermen.

59th minute and McLaughlin played a good ball and no York player could get on the end of it. Dyson did really well to stop Boston from countering, though Boston got a free-kick, was headed behind for a corner, Jameson punched away, York won a free-kick and again nothing good came from it.

Back at Dorking and the first chance after the restart saw Moore’s corner ball headed wide by Prior.

Paxman delivered a dangerous ball from the right, Muitt did well to clear it under pressure.

Joe Martin was cautioned for a foul on Muitt near the right touchline with the resulting free kick from Cheadle headed wide by Prior towards the back post.

Chapman’s free kick from deep was met by Jombati in the air but it was a straight forward catch for Lincoln then Taylor was cautioned for a late foul on Lee Martin as he broke down the left flank. Still 1-1 by the 62nd minute.

Over at the LNER Community Stadium, Jameson went down, was treated to and was fine to carry on. Barrow tackled a Boston attacker and a penalty wasn’t awarded.

Then Barrow collapsed to the ground in pain with no player near him, he went off on a stretcher and Matty Brown replaced him.

72nd minute and Boston had another corner which came to nothing.

John-Lewis went down after a heavy tackle with York assistant Kingsley James seen speaking with Cox’s staff. Not in a good way either.

York had a free-kick with Matty Brown nodding the header down but Boston clear before it can reach the foot of one of his teammates. York holding on with less than 10 minutes reaming.

York wrapped up the game in the 86th minute, doubling their lead. Maziar Kouhyar scoring and majority of those inside the stadium go ballistic.

Kouyhar found himself with the ball on the right wing and had Lenell John-Lewis racing into the box as a support option. The attacker, though, chose to shoot, beating Dewhurst at his near post. York are mere minutes away from National League football next season.

The full time whistle blew and York were promoted back to the top tier of English non league football with a 2-0 win over Boston.

Over at Dorking, two late goals were scored with the game going to extra time.

Six minutes were added on to the end of the second half, and four minutes into that, Fleet counter and after Poleons’s effort was brilliantly kept out by Lincoln, the ball fell to Tanner who calmly guided the ball home.

Then with seconds remaining, a ball into the box was flicked to the back post and Moore stuck it away. Astonishing finish at Meadowbank. 2-2.

In the 98th minute, Josh Taylor’s low cross at the byline went beyond McShane but landed for Rutherford who tucked the ball home at the back post! 3-2 Dorking.

The hosts held on tfor the win and will be in the National League next season, the highest they’ve ever been!

Fans reacted as two teams secure promotion in Saturday’s National League North and South playoff finals…

ON YORK:

@roberth97081131: I love John Askey

@__gkk_: Congrats York City. On your way back πŸ‘πŸ»

@scfccol: Congratulations!!! Great to see you back up

@oafcoafc1: Congrats from an Oldham fan looking forward to visiting next season

@exetercity1904: Well in!! A club that deserves to be playing so much higher. Congratulations and enjoy the night πŸ‘πŸ‘

@thecurioscortex: Congratulations, hope you are not visiting Blundell Park next season UTM

@MNorvock: Congratulations. Great to a PROPER football club heading in the right direction ⚽️⚽️

@mally308: Fantastic and makes those 0-3 cold February night games all worthwhile, excellent turnaround this season

@HarriersOnline: Congratulations City. At least you managed to get out of this hell hole. Our turn next season. It has to be.

@BUFCSupporter: Congratulations πŸ‘ well deserved

@dbrewer59: Welcome back looking forward to visiting your new ground

@KrasnyiDJW: Well done for finally getting out of this grim league. Hoping Kiddy will join you next year.

@RichTheRed252: Brilliant! Still pissed off that we couldn’t get tickets considering the games we go to but can’t wait for next season!!! #YCFC #York

@alfieartist11: well in lads, good to see a proper club on the up

ON DORKING:

@AlecHitchSUFC: Congratulations! See you next season πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

@WillB_2003: Well innnn, look forward to a Surrey matchup in the National League 🀝

@TAHPAO2019: Deserved. Good to see Dorking doing well. Maybe see you for a pre season friendly….

@BenGunner34: Congrats boys you deserve it after giving us a touch race to the finish line πŸ–€πŸ’›

@charltondoris: Well done from all at maidstone united! See you next season 😊

@MrAnthonyCarter: Congrats see you next season from @YTFC πŸ‘πŸ‘.

@JrKroz: From everyone at Maidenhead United, thank you for keeping crapfleet in their place – NLS – and we look forward to welcoming you at our place next season!

@CornerMoaners: Congratulations, an Surrey away looms

@xuelander83: Congratulations πŸŽ‰ dorking all the best in the national league πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

@TewNick: Congratulations Dorking, especially Jimmy Muit!! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

@saundeel: Scenes πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

@ben_wrecsam: Congrats from a Wrexham fan but hoping we never play you!!!

@d0nkeydr0p: Fully Deserved!!! πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ

@GrahamG14843952: Oldham Athletic v. Dorking Wanderers ?!!

@arty566: This is wonderful!! I’ve followed you on YouTube like many others and I couldn’t be more delighted for you all!! Fantastic manager , back room staff and fantastic team !! Not forgetting your media team and fans!! Enjoy your celebrations !!!

@Daveybob1986: Ooooooo Alfie Alfie……

@Leestevens1983: Looking forward to this Away trip with Eastleigh! Congratulations ⚽️⚽️⚽️

@JohnBos00496028: Well done Wanderers amazing result. Welcome to National League πŸ‘πŸ»

@jonj2006; Fitting that the top scorer of the league should score the winner & send them up! ⚽️

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