Southend United’s Road Back to Wembley and Redemption After Play-Off Heartbreak

Southend United have booked their place in the 2025–26 Isuzu FA Trophy final with a series of impressive performances across the competition and they now head to Wembley with extra motivation. Last season the Shrimpers came agonisingly close to returning to the Football League, only to lose the 2025 National League play-off final 3–2 after extra time to Oldham Athletic at Wembley Stadium. The defeat, watched by a record attendance for this level of over 52,000, still stings for supporters and players alike.

Round 3 Proper – Southend 4-0 Truro City

Southend entered the competition in the third round proper -and made an emphatic start – defeating fellow National League side Truro City 4-0. Goals from Harry Cardwell and Jack Bridge put Kevin Maher’s side into a 2-0 half time lead, before Josh Walker and Bridge made it four.

Round 4 – Bath City 1-3 Southend

A trip to National League South Bath City followed in the next round. An early Joe Raynes red card put the Romans under pressure, with Gus Scott-Morriss punishing this just a few minutes late. Sam Austin doubled the scored after half time, before Jordan Alves ensured a nervy ending, halving the deficit on the stroke of an hour. However, Leon Chambers-Parillon made it 1-3 in stoppage time.

Round 5 (Last 16) – Chatham 0-1 Southend

Step Three Chatham Town were up next, with a Gus Scott Morriss penalty seeing The Shrimpers edge into the quarter final.

Quarter-Final – Horsham 1-2 Southend

It was a fast start at National League South Horsham. Keenan Appiah-Forson (2’) and Jack Bridge (14’) put them into a 0-2 lead. Isaac Philpot made it 1-2 just before half time but Maher’s side stood firm to set up a semi-final clash at Southport.

Semi-Final – Southport 1-3 Southend

The Semi-Final tie got off to the worst possible start, with Chris Sze firing the Sandgrounders 1-0 up. A second half fight back led by a Charlie Kendall brace either side of Jack Bridge’s 55th minute goal.

Wembley Beckons - With Something Extra to Prove

This FA Trophy final appearance offers more than just a shot at silverware -t represents a chance for redemption after last season’s play-off final loss to Oldham Athletic. Southend twice took the lead in that dramatic National League play-off final - at one point even twice during extra time - before Oldham fought back to win 3–2 in a match watched by a record crowd for the division.

Oldham fans vs Southend today.

SCENES 🤯#OAFC pic.twitter.com/JHnZFARTvx

— Greatest Football Limbs 🤜 (@GreatestLimbs) June 1, 2025

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