Whilst the Poppies faithful witnessed an unbelievable finish to our Playoff Semi-Final match against Harborough Town, AFC Telford beat Halesowen Town 3-2 at Bucks Head last Wednesday. Going a goal down in the 22nd minute, ‘The Bucks’ replied with two quick goals on the 42nd and 45th minute, one scored by former Poppy Orrin Pendley, before an equalising goal from the Yeltz’s Charles Wragg only to see goal machine, and 2024-25 Golden Boot winner Matt Stensen, score Kevin Wilkin’s side third goal of the evening, which turned out to be the winner in front of 3204 fans.
Fast forward to today, and the Final is being contested by two teams that are arguably always the bridesmaid, never the bride when it comes to Playoff success. This is consecutive Play-off finals for AFC Telford. Last season, they again finished 2nd in the league, beating Mickleover in the semi-final but lost 0-1 at home to Leamington. This will be the Poppies 3rd Play-off final and hopefully, it’s third time lucky, as who can forget in 2004-05 Kevin Wilson’s side losing 2-3 to Altrincham (goals from Ollie Burgess and Jamie Paterson) at Rockingham Road and in 2013-14, Dean Thomas guided the Poppies to final in our first season at Latimer Park against Slough Town. After playing 10 games in April winning every one (conceding just 4 goals in the process), the Poppies went 2-0 ahead at half time with goals from Chris Logan and Henry Eze but lost 2-3.
Coming into today’s game, AFC Telford are unbeaten in their last 17 games, most notably beating the league champions 6-2 at home, with seven wins and ten draws. Over the last six league games, AFC Telford were seventh in the overall form guide (10 points from 18), second in the home form table (14 points from a possible 18) and crucially, 12th place for away games picking up only 6 points from a potential 18). With so many draws, AFC are difficult to beat and with the league’s Golden Boot winner, they pose a formidable threat in front of goal.
KTFC on the other hand, were fourth in the overall form guide (12 points from a possible 18), 11th in the home form league table (9 points from a possible 18) and third in the away form guide (14 from a possible 18). With the Poppies winning 3-1 away at Buck’s Head stadium following a home 1-1 draw earlier in the season, ‘The Bucks’ will not relish having to play away at Latimer Park and with a full house, including 600 Telford fans, it will be an exciting but intimidating atmosphere.
As we know, past form is no indicator of future success. However, with two teams in fantastic form it will be a final to remember where one will walk down the aisle.
Enjoy the game. COYP!
AFC TELFORD UNITED
Season V Comp F-A Att: Poppies Scorers
2007-08 H BSN 3-0 2520 Robinson.2, Bridges
A BSN 1-0 2818 Graham
2008-09 A SSQF 2-3 874 Potter, Marna
H FAT3 0-1 1692
2011-12 H BSBP 2-1 949 Wyke, Joyce
A BSBP 1-3 2035 Marna
2015-16 H FAC2Q 2-1 693 Baker-Richardson.2
2019-20 H VNLN 2-1 959 Carta, Nti
A VNLN 1-3 1206 Sterling-James
2020-21 H VNLN 0-0 514
A VNLN Void Season Null & Void
2021-22 H VNLN 2-2 605 Stead, Crawford
A VNLN 2-2 1247 Crawford, Brown
2022-23 H VNLN 2-0 472 Bennett, Oluwabori
A VNLN 1-1 1038 Bennett
2023-24 H PISPLC 1-3 604 Scott
A PISPLC 0-4 1054
2024-25 H PISLPC 1-1 1698 Fifield
A PISLPC 3-1 1293 Edwards.2, Wilson
POPPIES WINS: 7 GOALS FOR: 24
BUCKS WINS: 6 GOALS AGAINST: 25
DRAWS 5
Played for both clubs (23)
Spencer Weir-Daley, Sam Smith, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Ellis Deeney, Nathan Fox, Craig Stanley, Elliott Hodge, Kyle Perry, Connor Johnson, Riccardo Calder, Lamie Sherif, Keaton Ward, Andre Wright, Nathan Fox, Orrin Pendley, Ethan Hill, George Forsyth, Ellis Myles, Tre Mitford, Kobe Chong, Alex Gudger, Kyle Storer, Sam McLintock.
Managed both clubs (1)
Mark Cooper
League debuts v AFC Telford Utd (14)
Club debuts (1)
PLAY-OFF FINALS
AFC Telford beat Halesowen Town 3-2 at Bucks Head last Wednesday, going a goal down in the 22nd minute, replying with two quick goals on the 42nd and 45th minute, one scored by former Poppy Orrin Pendley, before and equalising goal from the Yeltz’s Charles Wragg, only to see goal machine and 2024-25 golden boot winner Matt Stensen score Kevin Wilkin’s side third goal of the evening, which turned out to be the winner in front of 3204.
This is consecutive Play-off finals for AFC Telford. Last season they again finished 2nd in the league, beating Mickleover in the semi-final but losing 0-1 at home to Leamington.
This will be the Poppies 3rd Play-off final and hopefully it’s third time lucky, as in 2004-05 Kevin Wilson’s side lost 2-3 to Altrincham (goals from Ollie Burgess and Jamie Paterson) at Rockingham Road. The irony that day was Kettering’s Martin Matthews scored at late own goal in extra time gifting ‘The Robbins’ the win. Attendance that day was 2285.
In 2013-14 Dean Thomas guided the Poppies to final in our first season at Latimer Park. After playing 10 games in April winning every one, (conceding just 4 goals in the process), set up a final against Slough Town. The Poppies 2-0 ahead at half time with goals from Chris Logan and Henry Eze scumbled 3-2 to ‘The Rebels’ in the second half. Attendance that day was 2331.
