The 2025/26 FA Trophy final is now confirmed after Saturday’s semi finals with a comeback for Southend and a late winner for Wealdstone.
It’s heartbreak for Southport and Marine who both exit the competition. A heroic effort by the two teams from a lower division pushing two National League teams to the end.
Southport went ahead against Southend just of the half hour mark, Malakai McKenzie getting onto a loose ball, Southend nowhere defensively, found Chris Sze, who sent a first time shot into the bottom corner.
Shortly after, Southend’s Oli Coker had an effort come back off the post. After the break, the Shrimpers got one back thanks to Charley Kendall.
Then a long ball caught Southport out in behind, Jack Bridge making no mistake after the ball fell to him. Two goals in two minutes, 55 minutes in.
Southend’s Kendall were soon denied by the post, before curling the ball into the top corner to make it 3-1 on 75 minutes.
IN FRONT IN THE TIE 👊 pic.twitter.com/LmnQhu9uh7
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) March 28, 2026
Kendall at the double ✌️ pic.twitter.com/WIGF3k3U0Q
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) March 28, 2026
WEMBLEY AGAIN OLÉ OLÉ!!!!! 🎶 pic.twitter.com/HReyW6FDx9
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) March 28, 2026
We’re going to Wembley sing the Shrimpers! pic.twitter.com/PcM5Ebd8a8
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) March 28, 2026
🎵 Wembley again, ole, ole 🎵 pic.twitter.com/6eefPHOKBW
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) March 28, 2026
🤣 KAF’s at the heart of the FT celebrations again! pic.twitter.com/XW7DA2rYbQ
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) March 28, 2026
Southend boss Kevin Maher said after the game, per Southend Echo: “I’m delighted for the football club and delighted for everyone connected with the club.
“Last year was a tough one to take losing the play-off so to be going back is fantastic.
“We’ve had to work hard for that and all credit to the players.
“It was tough day with the wind and the bobbly pitch but I’m so pleased.
“What we’ve had to go through as a club and what the fans have had to endure to have back to back trips to Wembley is a brilliant achievement.”
Meanwhile Wealdstone left it until the 92nd minute to earn a place into the final. Dante Baptiste with a goal kick that fell to Micah Obiero, then half volleys it to make it 1-0. Absolute scenes.
SYLs GOALS LIVE – Full Time Wealdstone 1-0 Marine @micahobiero pic.twitter.com/mbrmtkLkRW
— Syl Allen (@syl_isylma) March 28, 2026
Absolute scenes @WealdstoneFCBought a tear to an old man’s eyes pic.twitter.com/OHGLkaokzd
— lee walker (@superwalker5) March 28, 2026
What game to sponsor the match ball.@WealdstoneFC we’re on our way to Wembley ⚽️ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AYOAPfHm9h
— Hillingdon Conservatives (@Hillingdon_Tory) March 28, 2026
Great last minute win for Wealdstone v Marine in the FA trophy semi final.
Wembley Wembley ! pic.twitter.com/eqnzBKNef7
— Robert Driver (@robertdriver) March 28, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted with the 2025/26 FA Trophy final confirmed after semi finals with a Southend comeback and a late winner for Wealdstone…
ON SOUTHEND:
@MikePatersonFX: Never in doubt,,,,!!! Kendall and Bridge both making their point. First Wembley appearance of the season booked. Now to secure the more important second one starting at the Hallowed Hall on Tuesday…. Safe travels home everyone. Come on you mighty Shrimpers!!!!! #football #FootballCommunity #COYMS @shrimperstrust @Blues_On_Tour
@RobJ_Cricket: Back to Wembley we go! Hopefully one of two trips there this season 🤞🏻
@lee_currie: Oh oh oh everywhere we go…. Watching Southend United! Well done to Ken Darren Benno the players and all the staff congrats 🥂
@DonsEssex: Guess it would be rude not to go 🤣🥳🔵🦐🔵
@shrimperstrust: See you there #shrimpers 🦐
@peaky2234: Congratulations 🍾 would prefer promotion over this any day, but some much needed income & possible silverware is a huge bonus. Not getting 2 carried away as league form really needs to improve now 🙏
@euniesufc: We’ll forget about that first half in a hurry. Second half we came out of the traps and lifted the temp and reaped the rewards. Fair play to the boys. Kendall on fire, Keenan running it when he came on and Southend going back to Wembley. Not a bad Saturday, wbu? 😘
@SUFCexiles: Our final word: Southend have banked a return trip to Wembley in the Trophy after the conclusion of the NL campaign. Maher’s men can now focus on locking down a playoff berth and going one better than last season before a 4th meeting of the campaign with Wealdstone… #SUFCexiles
@steggars: Great show of character that second half lads 💙
@benhumphrey_04: GOING TO GET MY SUIT MEASURED.
Love this photo. These three have been through so much with Southend United! pic.twitter.com/VRr5VDclCw
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) March 28, 2026
ON WEALDSTONE:
@PaulSafferSport: 10 years ago, if someone has said it would be Wealdstone v Southend in the FA Trophy final at Wembley, I don’t know which set of fans would think that would be more ridiculous #wembley 🏆
@neilhay3s: So pleased for you. Well done and Up the Stones !
@CallumJamesQPR: I want you all to know I was sitting in reading station and I screamed
@cknnr17: Couldn’t happen to a nicer club, well in Stones
@Billo20Four7: I am sooooo made up for @Wealdstone_FC what a result. What a day!! Congrats to all involved & the supporters who really deserve this. Absolutely immense.
@ChrisATFC87: Happy for Gary Waddock he came so close to taking us to Wembley..he deserves that
