The National League is acknowledged as one of the most difficult divisions in English football from which to gain promotion. The fifth tier in England is known for its competitiveness.
That’s why when teams are promoted to the EFL, automatically or via the play-offs, it’s met with delight and relief. Everybody associated with Oldham Athletic got to experience that feeling recently, as the Latics achieved a 3-2 extra-time victory over Southend United in a highly entertaining play-off final.
Latics get over the line eventually
Things didn’t start well for the north west outfit, as Cameroonian defender Manny Monthe scored an own goal after just five minutes. It was the only goal of the first half.
However, it didn’t take Oldham long to equalise in the period. Just three minutes into the second half, Joe Garner fired home from the penalty spot. With neither team finding a winning goal, the encounter went into extra time.
The game looked like it was getting away from Mickey Mellon’s side as Southend regained the lead very early in extra-time, courtesy of a goal from the substitute Leon Chambers-Parillon.
The Latics were not done yet, though. The game swung in Oldham’s favour dramatically within a two-minute period. First, forward James Norwood rounded the Shrimpers goalkeeper to level the scores on 110 minutes.
Two minutes later, Athletic were ahead in the encounter for the first time. Kian Harratt picked the ball up on the right and swung in a cross towards the far post, which evaded everybody, including defender Ben Goodlife, who had slid in an attempt to stop the ball. His effort was in vain as the ball found the net.
Goodlife had a late chance to take the game to a penalty shootout, but he fluffed his lines in front of goal. Oldham hung on to what was a massive victory.
The victory earned the Latics their first promotion in 34 years, which was when the club moved up to the English top-flight. The club had been out of the EFL for three years, but everybody connected with the club will feel that they are back where they belong.
Oldham are back where they belong
Talking after the game, manager Micky Mellon told the BBC: “It’s an unbelievable achievement to turn it round and get a result from where we were. It’s a fantastic moment for us.
“This club is a monster. We were under a lot of pressure because we have a great family that back us – we needed to go up.
“It makes so much difference to everything about Oldham as a football club; we can really build forward behind the scenes now.
“It’s massive, it’s monstrous to get us in [the league]. Everything changes now for the club.”
The fact that 20,000 Oldham fans turned up in a record 52,000 crowd for a fifth-tier play-off final showed the size of the north west club
They have endured a terrible fall from grace, which saw them slip into non-league football for the first time in their modern history. The Latics will be hoping to look now and move in the right direction, as they were one of the first clubs in the newly established Premier League in 1992.
HISTORY MADE. #oafc pic.twitter.com/TKphn7v3N2
— (P) Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) June 1, 2025
For Southend, it is a case of picking up the pieces and attempt to make their return to the EFL next season. In terms of last season, the Shrimpers finished seventh place in the National League table, so it may have seemed slightly unjust if they had won promotion.
However, it could be argued that Oldham only finished five points ahead of United in the regular season. The Shrimpers have been out of the Football League for four seasons.
This season was their highest finish in the regular campaign. If they are to mount another promotion in season 2025/26, then they will have to improve in all areas, as is usually the case, the National League will be highly competitive.
A good advertisement for the National League
Play-off finals are often dramatic and offer good entertainment value. This season’s edition was no different, with thrills and drama. Overall, the final and its entertainment were a good advertisement for the National League.
Every season, the league gets tougher, and the argument for two teams going up to the EFL each season is now even stronger. That’s a discussion for another day. However, for now, Oldham Athletic are back in the Football League, and no doubt they will be determined to enjoy their triumph.
Matt Tomiak
