2022 EFL League Two play-off final

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2022 EFL League Two play-off final
Wembley Stadium in London hosted the final.
Mansfield Town Port Vale
0 3
Date28 May 2022 (2022-05-28)
VenueWembley Stadium, London
Man of the MatchJames Wilson
RefereeJarred Gillett
Attendance37,303
← 2021
2023 →

The 2022 EFL League Two play-off final was an association football match which was played on 28 May 2022 at Wembley Stadium, London, to determine the fourth and final team to gain promotion from EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football, to EFL League One. The top three teams of the League Two, Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers, gained automatic promotion to League One, while the clubs placed from fourth to seventh in the table took part in the 2022 English Football League play-offs. Port Vale and Mansfield Town competed for the final place in the 2022–23 season in League One.

sent off after being shown two yellow cards in the space of five minutes to reduce his team to ten players. Port Vale had two goals disallowed for offside before Mal Benning scored with five minutes to go to secure a 3–0 win for his side. Wilson was named man of the match
.

Route to the final

Main articles: 2021–22 EFL League Two and 2022 English Football League play-offs § League Two
EFL League Two final table, leading positions[1]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Forest Green Rovers (C, P) 46 23 15 8 75 44 +31 84
2 Exeter City (P) 46 23 15 8 65 41 +24 84
3 Bristol Rovers (P) 46 23 11 12 71 49 +22 80
4 Northampton Town 46 23 11 12 60 38 +22 80
5 Port Vale 46 22 12 12 67 46 +21 78
6 Swindon Town 46 22 11 13 77 54 +23 77
7 Mansfield Town 46 22 11 13 67 52 +15 77
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

goals scored.[2]

Mansfield Town faced fourth-placed Northampton Town in their play-off semi-final with the first match of the

aggregate lead. Despite dominating possession, Northampton Town failed to score and the match ended 1–0, with Mansfield Town progressing to the play-off final 3–1 on aggregate.[2]

In the other play-off semi-final, Port Vale faced

sent off after an altercation with Dion Conroy. No additional goals were scored so the game had to be decided with a penalty shoot-out. Swindon Town goalkeeper Lewis Ward saved penalties from both David Worrall and Ryan Edmondson but McKirdy's strike went high over the crossbar. Stone then saved Josh Davison's penalty before Mal Benning scored Port Vale's sixth spot-kick to make it 6–5. Ellis Iandolo's penalty was off-target and Port Vale won the shoot-out to qualify for the final.[6] After the shoot-out, a crowd of supporters invaded the pitch, with Swindon Town manager Ben Garner stating that his players had been "verbally and physically abused".[6]

Match

Background

The trophy awarded to the play-off winners, pictured in Port Vale colours in 2022
The play-off trophy in Port Vale colours

This was Mansfield Town's second appearance in a play-off final, having lost on penalties to Huddersfield Town in the 2004 Football League Third Division play-off final. They had played in the fourth tier of English football since gaining promotion back to the English Football League after winning the Football Conference in the 2012–13 season.[7][8] This was Mansfield Town's first visit to Wembley Stadium since losing 1–0 against Darlington in the 2011 FA Trophy final.[2][9] Port Vale had participated in play-off finals twice before, winning the two-legged 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final against Bristol Rovers, and losing the 1993 Football League Second Division play-off final 3–0 against West Bromwich Albion at the old Wembley stadium. They had played in League Two since being relegated from League One in the 2016–17 season.[10] This year's play-off final marked Port Vale's first appearance at the renovated Wembley Stadium.[11]

In the league games between the sides during the regular season, Port Vale secured a 1–1 draw away at the One Call Stadium in October 2021 before winning 3–1 at home the following March.[12] Going into the final, Wilson was Port Vale's top scorer with 14 goals in 46 matches, followed by Proctor on 13 goals in 33 games.[13] Oates was the leading scorer for Mansfield Town, having scored 12 goals in 44 games, followed by Bowery on 9 goals in 46 matches.[14]

In May 2022, the EFL announced that for the first time, the

fourth official while Peter Bankes acted as the VAR.[16] Before the match, Mansfield Town's manager Nigel Clough confirmed that neither he nor Clarke were consulted about the introduction of VAR.[17] Port Vale made no changes to their starting eleven from the side who played in the second leg of the play-off semi-final while Mansfield brought in Murphy and Matty Longstaff.[17] Mansfield Town wore gold shirts, navy shorts and gold socks while Port Vale's kit comprised white shirts, shorts and socks.[17]

Port Vale manager Clarke had returned from bereavement leave 22 days before the final and upon winning the play-off semi-final stated that: "We've got one more game to go against Mansfield, which is fitting because it's where my eldest daughter came from ... it's the town where I was born ... it'll be an emotional day but I'm looking forward to the final."[18] Andy Crosby, Port Vale's assistant manager, led his side out for the final, having covered for Clarke during his absence earlier in the season.[17]

Summary

James Wilson celebrating
James Wilson scored Port Vale's second goal.

Mansfield Town kicked off the match at around 4.00 p.m. on 28 May 2022 in front of 37,303 supporters at Wembley Stadium, London.[17] In the ninth minute, Murphy took advantage of a mistake between Port Vale's goalkeeper Stone and James Gibbons but his header was saved by Stone.[19] Seven minutes later, Hall headed the ball back into his own penalty area forcing Stone to make a clearance. On 19 minutes, John-Joe O'Toole conceded possession of the ball midway inside his own half allowing Port Vale's Ben Garrity to pass to Harratt whose long-range shot struck the bottom of the Mansfield Town goalpost. A minute later, Port Vale took the lead when Benning's cross was headed into the Mansfield Town goal at close range by Harratt. In the 24th minute, Port Vale doubled their lead through Wilson: Worrall crossed from the right and Garrity's header struck the Mansfield Town crossbar, rebounding to Wilson who scored. In the 30th minute, Hawkins received the first booking of the game for a foul on Port Vale's Nathan Smith. Four minutes later, Benning's shot was saved at the near post by Mansfield Town's goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.[17] Hawkins was then sent off in the 35th minute after receiving his second yellow card in the space of five minutes, this time for a late tackle on Wilson. With three minutes of regular time in the half remaining, Connor Hall cleared a close-range shot from Bowery after a mistake from Stone. Hewitt became the second Mansfield Town player to be booked when he fouled Jake Taylor in the 44th minute before Benning's free kick was headed wide of the Mansfield Town goal. In first-half injury time, James Perch was shown a yellow card for late tackle on Garrity but the resulting free kick Wilson went narrowly outside the post. Bishop then saved from Wilson and the half came to an end with Port Vale leading 2–0.[20]

Neither side made any changes to their playing personnel during the interval. In the 52nd minute, Taylor's volley from just outside the Mansfield Town penalty area went wide of the goalpost. Two minutes later, Mansfield Town made the first substitution of the match with George Lapslie coming on to replace Murphy. On the hour mark, McLaughlin's strike went wide of Port Vale's goal. Soon after, Harratt shot the ball from close range into the Mansfield Town net but the goal was disallowed as he was adjudged to have been offside. In the 66th minute, Mansfield Town made their second change, with George Maris replacing Longstaff. A minute later, former Mansfield Town player Harry Charsley came on in place of Taylor in Port Vale's first substitution of the game. In the 70th minute, Port Vale had a second disallowed goal after Charsley struck the ball into the net from a curling Worrall cross: the recent substitute was deemed to have been offside. Two minutes later Stone saved a shot from Oates who also saw a 74th-minute strike go wide of the Port Vale goal. With fourteen minutes of the match remaining, Proctor replaced Harratt for Port Vale in their second substitution. Three minutes later Lucas Akins came on for Mansfield Town's last substitution, in place of Stephen Quinn. In the 85th minute, Benning made it 3–0 to Port Vale after volleying in a cross from Worrall. Aaron Martin then replaced Worrall in Port Vale's final substitution of the game. After three minutes of injury time, the final whistle was blown and Port Vale won the match 3–0 to secure promotion to League One.[20]

Details

Mansfield Town0–3Port Vale
Report
Attendance: 37,303


Mansfield Town
Port Vale
GK 1 England Nathan Bishop
RB 4 Wales Elliott Hewitt Yellow card 44'
CB 14 England James Perch Yellow card 45+4'
CB 12 England Oliver Hawkins Yellow card 30' Yellow-red card 35'
LB 3 England Stephen McLaughlin
RM 44 England Matty Longstaff downward-facing red arrow 65'
CM 35 Republic of Ireland John-Joe O'Toole
LM 16 Republic of Ireland Stephen Quinn downward-facing red arrow 79'
MF 7 Scotland Jamie Murphy downward-facing red arrow 54'
FW 9 England Jordan Bowery
FW 18 England Rhys Oates
Substitutes:
GK 24 Czech Republic Marek Štěch
DF 23 England Kieran Wallace
MF 8 England Ollie Clarke
MF 10 England George Maris upward-facing green arrow 65'
MF 25 Wales Ryan Stirk
MF 32 England George Lapslie upward-facing green arrow 54'
FW 34 England Lucas Akins upward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager: England Nigel Clough
GK 26 England Aidan Stone
RB 2 England James Gibbons
CB 6 England Nathan Smith
LB 5 England Connor Hall
RM 7 England David Worrall downward-facing red arrow 86'
CM 23 England Tom Pett
CM 17 England Jake Taylor downward-facing red arrow 67'
LM 11 England Mal Benning
MF 8 England Ben Garrity
FW 9 England James Wilson
FW 24 England Kian Harratt downward-facing red arrow 77'
Substitutes:
GK 1 Brazil Lucas Covolan
DF 16 England Aaron Martin upward-facing green arrow 86'
DF 21 England Sammy Robinson
MF 20 Republic of Ireland Harry Charsley upward-facing green arrow 67'
FW 13 England Jamie Proctor upward-facing green arrow 77'
FW 19 England David Amoo
FW 29 England Ryan Edmondson
Manager: England Darrell Clarke
Statistics[20]
Mansfield Town Port Vale
Possession 55% 45%
Goals scored 0 3
Shots on target 2 6
Shots off target 5 11
Fouls committed 9 6
Corner kicks 5 3
Yellow cards 3 0
Red cards 1 0

Post-match

Reflecting on the season and his personal life, Port Vale manager Clarke said "With all we’ve come through, to put in that performance in the manner we did was outstanding."[21] Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough said "We didn't give ourselves a chance" and noted that he would not be watching his former side Nottingham Forest in the 2022 EFL Championship play-off final, claiming "I don’t care if I don’t see another football game for the foreseeable future".[21] Wilson was named as man of the match.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "League Two – 2021/2022 – Regular season". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Scott, Ged. "Northampton Town 0–1 Mansfield Town (agg 1–3)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  3. ^ Aloia, Andrew (14 May 2022). "Mansfield Town 2–1 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Northampton Town v Mansfield Town, 18 May 2022". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  5. ^ Hurcom, Sophie (15 May 2022). "Swindon Town 2–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b Scott, Ged (19 May 2022). "Port Vale 1–0 Swindon Town (agg 2–2): Vale win 6–5 on penalties". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Mansfield Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Mansfield Town celebrates Football League return". BBC News. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  9. ^ "FA Trophy final: Darlington 1–0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Port Vale". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  11. ^ Frostick, Nancy (20 May 2022). "Port Vale reach new Wembley for first time but victory marred by ugly scenes". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Mansfield Town football club: record v Port Vale". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Port Vale – top scorers". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Mansfield Town – top scorers". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  15. ^ "VAR to be used in all three EFL play-off finals". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Referee appointments: Sky Bet Championship and Sky Bet League Two Play-Off finals". English Football League. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Glendenning, Barry (29 May 2022). "Mansfield 0–3 Port Vale (2 of 2)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  18. ^ Smith, Peter (19 May 2022). "Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke issues apology to Swindon and Dion Conroy". StokeonTrentLive. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  19. ^ Aloia, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Mansfield Town 0–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d Glendenning, Barry (29 May 2022). "Mansfield 0–3 Port Vale (1 of 2)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  21. ^ a b Ames, Nick (28 May 2022). "Port Vale and emotional Darrell Clarke seal promotion against Mansfield". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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