Extra time goals from James Norwood and Kian Harratt saw Oldham Athletic defeat Southend United 3-2 in the National League playoff final to end their three-year hiatus from the EFL, securing their first promotion since 1991.
Both teams came into this match with at least a century of experience in the Football League, but were desperately trying to restore their place having fallen into the fifth tier after recent financial turmoil.
Both sides approached this fixture in impressive form, as Oldham’s playoff campaign consisted of a 4-0 victory at home to Halifax Town before a comprehensive 3-0 win at York City booked their place at Wembley. Meanwhile, Southend were unbeaten in their previous 6, and they won a thrilling eliminator tie 4-3 at Rochdale, before a penalty shootout victory over Forest Green secured their spot in the final.
Team News
Perhaps as was to be expected given the form the sides were in, neither manager made drastic changes to their side.
Oldham manager Micky Mellon was hoping to guide a third side to promotion from the National League after his successes with Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town. He was clearly impressed by the display his side produced against York City, naming an unchanged team from the trip to the LNER Stadium.
Meanwhile Southend boss Kevin Maher made two alterations from the dramatic win at Forest Green. Jack Bridge, whose late equaliser took that game to penalties, replaced Leon Parillon on the left wing, whilst Cav Miley overcame an injury ridden campaign to start as academy graduate Oliver Coker dropped to the bench.
Story of the Match
The game kicked off to a raucous atmosphere, as both sets of fans tried desperately to inspire their side to promotion.
It was Southend United who had the first opportunity, and they capitalised and grabbed the opening goal. A lofted pass from Gus Scott-Morriss over the top appeared set to fall to Charley Kendall, causing Manny Monthe to desperately divert its path and inadvertently lift the ball over Matt Hudson in the Oldham goal and into the back of the net, handing Southend the early advantage.
Following that early setback, Oldham started to work their way back into the game. A chipped ball from Monthe released Mark Kitching down the left hand side, and his cross looked destined to find top scorer Mike Fondop, only for his teammate Vimal Yoganathan to head an effort wide from inside the six-yard box.
The Latics’ pressure continued, as a free kick into the box fell to Fondop’s feet. However, his shot from the edge of the area trickled just wide of the post. Minutes later, Joe Garner’s header from a corner hit the post as Southend survived another wave of Oldham’s barrage.
Oldham continued to bombard the Southend defence, and Fondop rolled Ben Goodliffe before he was brought down in the area by a sliding tackle from Harry Taylor. However, much to the ire of the Oldham supporters, referee Elliot Bell did not point to the penalty spot.
A calamity at the back just before half time between Goodliffe and Taylor sent Oldham through on goal, but yet again Fondop was unable to finish. He lifted the ball over Nick Hayes in the Southend goal and looked set to nestle into the back of the net, but the ball bounced wide of the post as somehow Southend held onto their lead until the half time whistle.
The second half picked up where the first left off, as once again Oldham were on the front foot.
An early throw-in from Reagan Ogle fell to Monthe in the six yard box, but he was scythed down by a desperate challenge. This time, the referee awarded the penalty, and up stepped experienced striker Joe Garner, who sent Hayes the wrong way to equalise for the Latics less than 2 minutes into the second half.
The game settled into a bit of a lull after that, as Southend enjoyed their first spell of sustained pressure of the entire match.
However, it was Oldham who had the next chance to take the lead, as a long range effort from Corry Evans fell kindly to Fondop in the box. However, Hayes produced an exceptional reflex save to deny the forward and keep the score 1-1.
Both managers were clearly looking to win the game, as they made attacking changes. Kevin Maher brought attackers Macauley Bonne and Leon Parillon into the fray, before Micky Mellon introduced Jesurun Uchegbulam and veteran James Norwood to his sides’ attack.
And it was Maher who almost saw his changes immediately pay dividends, as a passing move saw Keenan Appiah-Forson sneak into the penalty box behind Evans. Evans then appeared to haul the Southend attacker to the ground, but yet again the referee waved away the protests.
As the clock ticked up towards the final whistle, it appeared increasingly likely that a goal now would be decisive.
Both sides had late chances to snatch promotion. First Ben Goodliffe’s header from an unmarked position was saved comfortably by Hudson, before an effort from Kitching whistled narrowly wide of the Southend post.
Those chances were as close as either team came to a winner in the first 90 minutes, as the game went to extra time.
Once again, it was a fast start from kick off, and this time it was Southend who scored straight from the restart. Scott-Morriss broke down the right hand side, and his lofted cross appeared destined to fall into the back of the net. Hudson saved the original shot, but the rebound fell right onto the head of substitute Leon Parillon, who put the ball into the back of the net to restore the Shrimpers’ advantage.
Oldham pushed forward for an equaliser, and Mellon sent forward Kian Harratt on to try and force the issue.
As the final entered the second half of extra time, both sides hoped to continue the trend of goals quickly after the restart.
And sure enough, that run was extended. A long ball forward found James Norwood, who used all of his experience to round Hayes and tap the ball into the empty net to restore parity.
Moments later, the comeback was complete. From the kick off, the ball broke to Kian Harratt on the left hand side. Harratt, who served a ban for breaching the FA's gambling regulations, crossed the ball towards Fondup, only for it to take a little deflection and bounce into the back of the net to give Oldham a 3-2 lead.
The Latics maintained their advantage to the final whistle, causing an emotional outpouring from their supporters who haven't experienced promotion in a generation.
What Comes Next?
For Southend, the season ends in heartbreak. However, this Wembley excursion should not dishearten Shrimpers supporters, as it shows that the club is finally back on an upwards trend after years of misery.
However, Oldham will now celebrate, before they focus on rebuilding ahead of a League Two campaign next season. When he was last promoted to the EFL, Micky Mellon won consecutive promotions with Tranmere Rovers, and he will hope he is able to repeat the trick with Oldham.
