New Non League Goalmouth: National League play-offs – Boreham Wood v Rochdale + North & South finals

On this week’s edition of the Non-League Goalmouth, Editor at Large Matt Badcock and Executive Editor Jon Couch are joined by the Non-League Paper’s North-East correspondent, Mark Carruthers, to talk through all the latest in Non-League!

The National League season culminates this weekend in three thrilling play-off final clashes.

Rochdale kept their promotion dreams alive with a 2–1 win over Scunthorpe United in the semi-finals after York City pipped Jimmy McNulty’s side to the title on the final day.

They now face Boreham Wood at Wembley, after Luke Garrard’s men secured a 2–1 win away at Carlisle United.

At Step 2, it’s a battle between the second and third-placed teams, as South Shields host Kidderminster Harriers at the 1st Cloud Arena in the National League North, while in the National League South, Torquay United travel to face Hornchurch.

Play-off winners

We also take a look at the play-off final victors from further down the pyramid, including AFC Whyteleafe, who earned their fifth promotion in as many years, going from Step 8 in 2021 to the Isthmian Premier League in 2026.

Rounding off the other Step 4 promotion winners were Hanworth Villa and Stanway Rovers, who will join ‘Leafe in the Premier Division, while Emley, Avro and RC Warwick will be plying their trade in the NPL Premier after winning their respective play-off final bouts.

Earning their spot at Step 2 for next season are Hednesford Town, who won back-to-back promotions in the most dramatic of circumstances, winning 5-4 on penalties against Warrington Rylands after the Pitmen equalised in the 90th-minute to take the game to extra time.

Billericay Town also left it late to book their place in the National League South, scoring a 118th-minute winner to beat Brentwood Town 2-1, while Spalding United, Farnham Town and Hitchin Town all triumphed in the final fixture of the season.

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