Oldham Athletic promoted to League Two

Oldham Athletic 3 - 2 Southend United

It was a magical day for Oldham Athletic

Author | Josh T

The crowd of 52,115 at Wembley Stadium to watch Oldham's win was over 5,000 more than the previous highest attendance at a National League or Conference Play-off final.

A closer look at the first 90 minutes

Oldham began brightly, but it was Southend who struck first. Gus Scott-Morriss played a lofted ball through the centre towards Charley Kendall, and Monthe, trying to intercept, misjudged the bounce and inadvertently poked it past his own keeper, Mathew Hudson.

Oldham responded with intent. Tom Pett’s corner was glanced wide by top scorer Mike Fondop, who was then left frustrated when Vimal Yoganathan got to Mark Kitching’s teasing cross ahead of him, only to head wide from close range.

The Latics began to dominate possession as Southend dropped deeper, but they struggled to find a decisive final ball. Garner clipped the outside of the far post with a header from another Pett delivery, while Southend’s Harry Taylor appeared fortunate to escape conceding a penalty after sliding into Fondop inside the area without appearing to win the ball.

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Fondop again went close just before half-time, latching onto a loose ball behind the Southend defence and lifting it over the advancing Nick Hayes, only to see his effort drift just wide.

Moments into the second half, Oldham were handed a lifeline. Reagan Ogle’s long throw caused chaos in the Southend box, and Monthe was brought down by Ben Goodliffe. Referee Elliot Bell pointed to the spot, and Garner calmly converted, sending Hayes the wrong way to level the match.

Oldham continued to press, with Fondop forcing a sharp save from Hayes after Corry Evans’ long-range effort deflected into his path. Southend responded through Keenan Appiah-Forson, who had a penalty appeal waved away, and nearly found a winner late in regulation when Kitching’s low strike drifted just wide in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Into extra time

Southend regained the lead less than a minute into extra time. Appiah-Forson slid a pass to Scott-Morriss on the right, and his lofted cross was clawed off the line by Hudson, only for Chambers-Parillon to nod in at the back post.

Bonne tested Hudson again in the second half of extra time, but the keeper stood strong. Then came the pivotal moment: a long ball over the top found Norwood, who raced beyond Goodliffe, rounded Hayes, and slotted into the unguarded net.

Oldham completed the comeback barely two minutes later. Harratt, on the right flank, sent in a left-footed delivery that evaded both attackers and defenders alike and crept in at the far post with Hayes stranded.

Southend surged forward in search of an equaliser, and Ralph’s low cross created a final opening, but Goodliffe’s miscue in front of goal ensured Oldham’s historic win was sealed.