2022 National League play-off final

The 2022 National League play-off final, known as the Vanarama National League Promotion Final for sponsorship reasons, was an association football match played on 5 June 2022 at the London Stadium between Solihull Moors and Grimsby Town. It determined the second and final team to gain promotion from the National League, English football's fifth tier, to EFL League Two. By finishing first in the 2021–22 National League, Stockport County gained automatic promotion to League Two, while the teams placed from second to seventh participated in the play-offs. The winners of the semi-finals competed for the final promotion spot for League Two. The losing play-off quarter-finalists were Notts County and FC Halifax Town. In the following round, Chesterfield and Wrexham were eliminated in the semi-finals.

2022 National League play-off final
The match took place at London Stadium
Event2021–22 National League
After extra time
Date5 June 2022 (2022-06-05)
VenueLondon Stadium, London
RefereeMartin Woods
Attendance22,897
2021
2023

The match was televised live on BT Sport 1 HD and BT Sport Ultimate.[1] The coverage was presented by Matt Smith,[2] while the commentary team comprised Adam Summerton and Kevin Davies.[3] Radio commentary was provided by Switch Radio[4] and BBC Radio Humberside.[5]

Ticketing

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The National League were criticised before the game for their ticketing policy which resulted in a minimum ticket price of £40. Following complaints the league’s sponsor, Vanarama, gave £20,000 to both clubs to help supporters with costs. In addition 13,000 Grimsby fans were able to watch the game following intervention by the Mariners Trust supporters group which raised money for tickets.[6]

Route to the final

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Solihull won both regular season meetings between the two sides, 2–0 at home and 2–1 away.[7][8]

National League final table, leading positions[9]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Stockport County 44 30 4 10 87 38 +49 94
2 Wrexham 44 26 10 8 91 46 +45 88
3 Solihull Moors 44 25 12 7 83 45 +38 87
4 FC Halifax Town 44 25 9 10 62 35 +27 84
5 Notts County 44 24 10 10 81 52 +29 82
6 Grimsby Town 44 23 8 13 68 46 +22 77
7 Chesterfield 44 20 14 10 69 51 +18 74

Quarter-finals

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23 May 2022 Notts County 1–2 (a.e.t.) Grimsby Town Meadow Lane, Nottingham
19:45
  • Rodrigues   73'
Report
Attendance: 12,023
Referee: Sunny Sukhvir Gill
24 May 2022 FC Halifax Town 1–2 Chesterfield The Shay, Halifax
19:45
  • Stenson   68'
Report
Attendance: 5,661
Referee: Scott Tallis

Semi-finals

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28 May 2022 Wrexham 4–5 (a.e.t.) Grimsby Town Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
12:30
Report
Attendance: 9,734
Referee: Adam Herczeg
29 May 2022 Solihull Moors 3–1 Chesterfield Damson Park, Solihull
12:30
Report
Attendance: 4,026
Referee: Thomas Kirk

Details

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Solihull Moors1–2 (a.e.t.)Grimsby Town
Report
Attendance: 22,897
Referee: Martin Woods
GK 18   Joe McDonnell
RB 2   James Clarke
CB 5   Callum Howe
CB 6   Alex Gudger
LB 14   Harry Boyes
CM 4   Kyle Storer (c)
CM 8   Callum Maycock   114'
RW 7   Joe Sbarra   109'
CAM 11   Ryan Barnett
LW 19   Andrew Dallas   116'
CF 27   Kyle Hudlin   59'
Substitutes:
GK 26   Jack Myatt
DF 12   Reiss McNally   116'
DF 22   Mark Ellis   114'
MF 15   Callum Reilly   109'
FW 24   Danny Newton   59'
Manager:
  Neal Ardley
GK 21   Max Crocombe
RB 32   Jordan Cropper
CB 6   Luke Waterfall
CB 26   Andy Smith
LB 22   Danny Amos
CM 4   Ben Fox
CM 28   Gavan Holohan   101'
RW 18   Érico Sousa   66'
CAM 10   John McAtee   90'
LW 15   Harry Clifton
CF 29   Ryan Taylor   81'
Substitutes:
DF 5   Shaun Pearson
MF 17   Arjan Raikhy   90'
FW 25   Jordan Maguire-Drew   66'
FW 9   Tristan Abrahams   101'
FW 12   Emmanuel Dieseruvwe   81'
Manager:
  Paul Hurst

References

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  1. ^ "Solihull Moors v Grimsby Town". BT Sport. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Live: Grimsby v Solihull Moors". Vanarama National League. 5 June 2022. 120 minutes in. BT Sport. BT Sport 1 HD.
  3. ^ "Live: Grimsby v Solihull Moors". Vanarama National League. 5 June 2022. 60 minutes in. BT Sport. BT Sport 1 HD.
  4. ^ "Preview: Solihull Moors vs Grimsby Town (Promotion Final)". Solihull Moors FC. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Solihull Moors v Grimsby Town". BBC Radio Humberside. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  6. ^ Stone, Simon (6 June 2022). "National League general manager Mark Ives understands play-off ticket frustration". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Solihull Moors 2-0 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Grimsby Town 1-2 Solihull Moors". BBC Sport. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Vanarama National League Table". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 4 May 2024.