Highlights and goals: Walsall 2 (4) - 1 (1) Chesterfield in EFL League Two

Thank you very much for joining us for our coverage of the second leg of the League Two promotion playoff semifinal between Walsall and Chesterfield. We'll see you next time.

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Have a great day!

The match ends at Poundland Bescot Stadium and, for the second time in history, Walsall is going to Wembley to play in the promotion final against Wimbledon or Notts County. Fans rush onto the pitch to celebrate with their players.

Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield.

Sixth yellow card of the match, third for Walsall. The scorer of the second goal, Levi Amantchi, is cautioned for celebrating his goal by removing his shirt.

The game has not yet resumed due to an invasion of the pitch by home fans following the goal.

GOAL! GOOOOOAL for Walsall! It's now official, Walsall are going to Wembley for the promotion final. A magnificent individual play by Albert Adomah on the right wing, a ‘dipping’ cross for Levi Amantchi who only has to nod the ball in with his head to send the fans wild.

Walsall 2-1 Chesterfield

GOAL! GOAAAAAAAAL for Chesterfield! A late equalizer for the Blues. A throw-in into the center of the box is flicked on by Will Grigg and falls to Armando Dobra, who controls and finishes with his right foot.

Walsall 1-1 Chesterfield

Fifth and final substitution for Walsall.

ON:
Donervon Daniels

OFF:
Nathan Asiimwe

In addition, six minutes of added time will be played in this game, which is all but over for the home side.

"That noise tells you Walsall are on their way to Wembley!" 🔊

Charlie Lakin heads in for the hosts! 💥 pic.twitter.com/O3F1uj5Hb8

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2025

Poundland Bescot Stadium is buzzing, and we're just minutes away from confirming Walsall's place in the promotion final at Wembley against either Wimbledon or Notts County, who face each other tomorrow.

Fifth and final substitution for Chesterfield.

ON:
Michael Jacobs

OFF:
Tom Naylor

Another positional substitution as they look to score three goals in just over five minutes remaining, which seems impossible.

GOAL! GOAAAAAAAAAL for Walsall! More than ever, the Reds are in Wembley for the promotion final. A cross from the right by Albert Adomah finds Charlie Lakin's head, but it's defender Ashley Palmer who ends up putting the ball in the net.

Walsall 1-0 Chesterfield

Fifth yellow card of the match, third for Chesterfield. Albanian striker Armando Dobra is booked for a very obvious dive inside the box, hoping that the referee would award a penalty in his favor.

Third and fourth substitutions for Walsall.

ON:
Albert Adomah
Charlie Lakin

OFF:
Jamie Jellis
George Hall

Third and fourth substitutions for Chesterfield as well.

ON:
Ryan Colclough
Dylan Duffy

OFF:
Liam Mandeville
Ollie Banks

Oh no, what Walsall just missed, unbelievable. A counterattack at full speed, four reds against two blues, Jamie Jellis assists from the left to Levi Amantchi who shoots alone in front of the goalkeeper, but his shot goes straight into the goalkeeper's body.

First two substitutions for Chesterfield.

ON:
Will Grigg
Jack Sparkes

OFF:
Jenson Metcalfe
Lewis Gordon

Grigg, a forward, comes on for Metcalfe, a midfielder. The visitors are looking for a miracle at this point, as they have had very few, if any, chances to score.

Fourth yellow card of the match, second for Chesterfield. Midfielder John Fleck is booked for a strong tackle in midfield on Jamie Jellis. The referee considers a yellow card to be the appropriate punishment.

First two substitutions of the match for Walsall.

ON:
Brandon Comley
Levi Amantchi

OFF:
Alfie Chang
Jamille Matt

Completely positional substitutions to give the home side a couple of fresh legs as they defend their aggregate lead well so far.

Third yellow card of the match, second for Walsall. Central defender Taylor Allen is booked for a late challenge in the defensive area on Chesterfield.

Very little football in this match.

The second half has so far followed the same pattern as the first. Chesterfield are completely dominating possession, with Walsall pinned back in their own half and holding out against constant pressure from the visitors, but so far without creating any clear-cut chances.

Second yellow card of the match, the first for Chesterfield. Midfielder Jenson Metcalfe is cautioned for a clear shirt pull on an opponent in midfield, completely preventing him from continuing the play.

The final 45 minutes of this match are underway, with Walsall and Chesterfield tied at 0-0 at Poundland Bescot Stadium in the second leg of the EFL League Two 2024/25 promotion playoffs to determine the first finalist.

The first 45 minutes have come to an end at Poundland Bescot Stadium, where Walsall and Chesterfield are tied at 0-0 in the second leg of the promotion playoffs in EFL League Two, or the fourth division of English soccer.

Three minutes of added time will be played at Poundland Bescot Stadium, where Walsall and Chesterfield are tied at 0-0, but it is the home team who are on their way to the promotion playoff final after winning the first leg 2-0.

A game with many inaccuracies and no excitement. The atmosphere in the stadium was palpable as the fans welcomed their players with fireworks, but little by little the effusiveness in the stadium died down.

First yellow card of the match, and the first for Walsall. Right-back Nathan Asiimwe is cautioned for delaying a throw-in.

Walsall are sitting comfortably and taking advantage of Chesterfield, who despite having possession, have not created much in attack.

Walsall's first big chance, but they end up wasting it. A quick counterattack sees four reds against three blues, but they fail to finish the move off and end up shooting straight at the goalkeeper, although it is another shot on target.

By giving the ball to Chesterfield, they are becoming increasingly stronger and getting closer and closer to the home team's goal, who have done very little in attack, looking to create danger with quick counterattacks.

Uneventful game with no excitement so far. Walsall has ceded possession to Chesterfield, who are moving the ball around without any clear objective. Walsall is holding its own in its half without much effort.

First big chance for Chesterfield, but the home goalkeeper saves easily. A cross from the right, almost on the penalty spot, is met by Aribim Pepple, who jumps high in the air and heads the ball towards the ground, but the goalkeeper saves it easily.

Chesterfield now has control of the ball and possession, but they have not managed to create any great chances in attack, and Walsall, taking advantage of the lead they gained in the first leg, is not in any trouble.

The first few minutes of the match saw Walsall attack and put intense pressure on Chesterfield, as well as controlling possession of the ball and already managing to get two shots on goal and two corner kicks.

The ball is rolling at Poundland Bescot Stadium in the town of Walsall, England, between Walsall and Chesterfield in this match corresponding to the second leg of the EFL League Two 2024/25 promotion playoffs.

The Walsall and Chesterfield players are taking to the pitch and we're ready to bring you all the latest from this pleasant afternoon in the town of Walsall for the second leg of the EFL League Two 2024/25 promotion playoff semifinals.

Warm-ups beginning for our semi-final second leg 📈#Spireites pic.twitter.com/attzGr7ZSV

— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) May 16, 2025

Let’s get to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/4AOP6oEW78

— Walsall FC (@WFCOfficial) May 16, 2025

1 - Max Thompson (Goalkeeper)
5 - Jamie Grimes (Center Back)
24 - Jack Sparkes (Full Back)
10 - Michael Jacobs (Midfielder)
18 - Dylan Duffy (Midfielder)
9 - Will Grigg (Center Forward)
11 - Ryan Colclough (Center Forward)

12 - Sam Hornby (Goalkeeper)
5 - Donervon Daniels (Center Back)
8 - Charlie Lakin (Midfielder)
14 - Brandon Cornley (Midfielder)
37 - Albert Adomah (Winger)
10 - Josh Gordon (Center Forward)
11 - Levi Amantchi (Center Forward)

05/11: Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall
05/03: Accrington 0-1 Chesterfield
04/26: Chesterfield 4-1 Morecambe
04/21: Chesterfield 3-3 Bradford
04/18: Wimbledon 0-0 Chesterfield

All matches corresponding to League Two.

05/11: Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall
05/03: Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Walsall
04/26: Walsall 0-1 Accrington
04/21: Newport County 0-0 Walsall
04/18: Walsall 2-2 Harrogate Town

All matches corresponding to League Two.

🏟️ The Poundland Bescot Stadium is 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 pic.twitter.com/T105XrJYbJ

— Walsall FC (@WFCOfficial) May 16, 2025

Welcome back to VAVEL.com's coverage of the EFL League Two promotion semifinal second leg: Walsall vs Chesterfield live updates!

My name is Miguel Niño and I will be your host for this match.

We will soon share the starting lineups for the Walsall vs Chesterfield match live, as well as the latest information from Poundland Bescot Stadium. Don't miss a single detail of the live match updates and commentary from VAVEL's coverage.

The Walsall vs Chesterfield match be broadcast live on television by CBS Sports Golazo in the United States and Sky Sports Football in the UK.

If you want to watch directly stream it: Paramount+.

If you want to watch it on internet, VAVEL is your best option!

This is the start time for the Walsall vs Chesterfield match on May 16, 2025, in various countries:

Argentina: 4:00 PM on Disney+ Premium
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United Kingdom: 8:00 PM on Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, and NOW
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Venezuela: 3:00 PM on Disney+ Premium

Ryan Boot; Liam Mandeville, Ashley Palmer, Kyle McFadzean, Lewis Gordon; Jenson Metcalfe. John Fleck, Tom Naylor; Michael Olakigbe, Will Grigg, Ryan Colclough. Manager: Paul Cook

The 33-year-old Northern Irish striker Will Grigg, who joined the team in June 2023 as a free agent from MK Dons, is the team's top scorer this season with 14 goals in 36 games.

Tommy Simkin; David Okagbue, Harry Williams, Taylor Allen; Nathan Asiimwe, Alfie Chang, Ryan Stirk, Liam Gordon; George Hall, Jamie Jellis; Jamille Matt. Coach: Mathew Sadler

The 35-year-old Jamaican striker Jamille Matt, who joined the team in January 2023 as a free agent from Forest Green, is the team's top scorer this season with 12 goals in 51 games.

This will be the 30th meeting between the two teams in their history, with 13 wins for Walsall, 8 for Chesterfield and 8 draws. Walsall have played 15 times at home, with 9 home wins, 3 away wins and 3 draws. All matches have been in the FA Cup, second and fourth divisions.

Last five matches:
May 11, 2025: Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall
February 15, 2025: Walsall 3-1 Chesterfield
October 5, 2024: Chesterfield 2-2 Walsall
March 7, 2017: Walsall 1-0 Chesterfield
August 16, 2016: Chesterfield 2-0 Walsall

Meanwhile, the team led by English coach Paul Cook since February 2022 had a consistent season and made it to the promotion semifinals by a single point. They recorded 19 wins, 13 draws, and 14 losses, earning 70 points and finishing in seventh place, one point above Salford City, two above Grimsby, and three above Colchester.

The Spireites come into this match with the result against them after losing the first leg 0-2 at home, looking to achieve a historic result to reach the promotion final. However, Chesterfield have not beaten Walsall away since October 17, 2015, when they won 2-1. Since then, the two sides have met three times at Walsall, with two home wins and a draw in the FA Cup, which also ended in victory for Walsall on penalties.

The team, led by English coach Mathew Sadler since April 2023, performed well in this season's English fourth division, recording 21 wins, 14 draws, and 11 losses in the regular season, finishing in fourth place with 77 points, one point behind Bradford, who secured direct promotion. As a result, Walsall will contest the promotion semifinals, where they will then have to play a final to confirm their place as the fourth team to be promoted to the third division, the EFL League One.

The Saddlers go into this second leg with the score in their favor after beating Chesterfield 2-0 at home in the first leg, with goals from Taylor Allen and Alfie Chang, putting them one step away from the promotion final against AFC Wimbledon or Notts County.

The Walsall vs Chesterfield match will be played at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, located in the town of Walsall, in the West Midlands county of England. This venue, which opened in 1990, has a capacity of 11,300 spectators.

Welcome to VAVEL.com's coverage of the EFL League Two promotion semifinal second leg: Walsall vs Chesterfield live updates!

My name is Miguel Niño, and I will be your host for this match. We will bring you pre-match analysis, score updates, and live news here on VAVEL.