Shrimpers net Trophy success
Southend United – 0
Wealdstone – 0
(Southend win 4-2 on penalties)
17th May 2025
Not content with serving up just one nil-nil draw, Wembley managed two on the same day, the 2026 FA Trophy Final going the same way as the FA Vase with Southend United and Wealdstone also failing to find the net, meaning a second penalty shootout of the day!
For the Essex side it was a much happier return to the national stadium compared to twelve months previously when they lost the National League play-off final, it was to be a fond farewell for many as management and players left soon after on the dawn of a new era.
The Middlesex outfit could not repeat their heroics of forty years previous, when they defeated Boston by the odd goal in three back in 1985, Collin Andeng-Ndi proving their nemesis saving two of the four spot kicks he faced.
United started the brighter, Harry Cardwell hit the post within the opening ten minutes, and James Golding drove through midfield but could only drag wide; at the opposing end Nathan Tshikuna wove through several challenges but scuffed off target & Micah Obiero curled past the upright.
Before the interval Leon Parillon cleared the bar, his keeper then had to fling out an arm to thwart Anthony Georgiou, from the resumption those in blue & white grew in stature and Obiero had another effort blocked on the hour.
But Southend came back into it as the clock ticked by, Jack Bridge was thwarted by a brave dive at his feet by Dante-Astor Baptiste, and the woodwork once again took a dent when a Keenan Appiah-Forson cross rebounded off the goal frame.
Ndi was called into action late on to ensure the game finished deadlocked, and that was just the start of his heroics; after watching Bridge & Joe Gubbins score from twelve yards, he then denied both Olufela Olomola & Jack Hinchy to put his side in the strongest of positions.
There was brief hope for the Londoners when Baptiste saved Charley Kendall’s effort and Obiero halved the deficit, Harry Boyes extended the Shrimpers advantage, but Connor McAvoy duly reduced once again.
That left Gus Scott-Morriss to step up and net the winner, before sprinting over to celebrate with teammates in front of their adoring fans. F/T: 0-0 (4-2 on pens)
Competition: Isuzu FA Trophy Final
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Kick-Off: 4.30pm
Surface: Grass
Programme: £5
Attendance: 43,306 (combined with FA Vase Final)
For 2025/26 Southend United results please: click here
For 2025/26 Wealdstone results & final National League table, please: click here
For a pictorial view of the 2026 FA Trophy final please: click here
Note: 3 pages (262 images)
