The National League season concluded last Monday and Barnet were the cream of the crop and are planning life back in the Football League but who will be the second team to join them?
We start to find out who on Wednesday 14th May with the first of two eliminators.
Oldham Athletic vs Halifax Town
We start at Boundary Park where Oldham after confirming a home tie in the eliminator beating Ebbsfleet United host Halifax Town.
Head-to-head
This season the teams have met three times, twice in the league and once in the FA cup and it’s the Latics who have the advantage having won the cup tie and the home league fixture in March with the game at the Shay ending in a 1-1 draw.
Key Players
For Oldham they will be looking at Mike Fondop who has bagged 17 goals in 45 games and Tom Pett who since coming into the side in January has been a creative outlet for the Latics.
For the Shaymen its Jamie Cooke who has scored seven goals and assisted three from central midfield.
The winner of this tie will travel to second place York City on Tuesday 20th May.
Rochdale vs Southend United
The second eliminator will be on Thursday 14th May as Southend United who secured the playoff berth with a draw against Gateshead on the final day will travel to Deepdale to face Rochdale.
Head-to-head
The two sides have faced off twice this season with the last fixture in February at Roots Hall ending in a 1-1 draw with the fixture at Deepdale ending in a 1-0 win for the Shrimpers.
Key Players
For the Dale, Devante Rodney and Kairo Mitchell have been crucial in the front three scoring 17 and 14 goals respectively.
For Southend, it’s been Gus Scott-Morriss who’s leading the team in goals with 17 and assists with five from right back that has got the team into a chance of returning to the EFL for the first time since 2021.
The winner of this tie will travel to face Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday 21st May.
