All You Need To Know Ahead Of The National League Play-Offs

By Oliver Osborn

After a 124-day absence, Vanarama National League action returns this evening with Boreham Wood hosting FC Halifax Town in the first of six Eliminators.

Yeovil Town welcome Barnet to Huish Park tomorrow before eight North and South division play-off hopefuls kick-off their campaigns the following day.

Six sides with a bye into the Semi-Final stage will face the winners of the Vanarama Eliminators in a bumper day of National League play-off football on July 25th.

The three Promotion Finals will take place over the first two days of August.

In April, an Ordinary Resolution was supported by National League clubs for the curtailment of the regular season.

National League clubs voted in favour of determining league tables on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis last month.

Due to the current Government sporting guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, all play-off matches will be played behind closed doors.

Ahead of the tonight’s return, here is the key information and changes you need to know before the action gets underway:

Broadcast

For the first time in The National League’s history, every play-off match from across the competition will be broadcast live.

Starting with tonight’s clash at Boreham Wood from 6.45pm, BT Sport will be covering all five of the season-defining Vanarama National League games.

Each of the ten North and South division play-off matches can be watched on a brand new streaming platform.

Drinks and Cooling Breaks

There will be a drinks break in all matches midway through each half, which will last no longer than one minute.

Substitutes

In all play-off matches the number of substitutions permitted for use by each team has increased to five. Up to six substitutes can be named on the team sheet.

Each team has a maximum of three substitution opportunities during the match. An additional opportunity is in place at the end of half-time before the second-half starts.

Removal of Extra-Time

In the event of the scores being level at the end of 90 minutes play, the winners will be determined by a penalty shootout.

Extra-time will not be played.

Fixture Schedule in Full:

Vanarama National League

Friday 17th July 2020- 7pm
Elimination Round- Match A – Boreham Wood vs FC Halifax Town
Sunday 19th July 2020- 3pm
Elimination Round- Match B – Yeovil Town vs Barnet

Saturday 25th July 2020- 2.30pm
Semi Final – Harrogate Town vs Winner of Match A
Saturday 25th July 2020- 5pm
Semi Final – Notts County vs Winner of Match B

Sunday 2nd August 2020- 3pm
Promotion Final – Wembley Stadium

Vanarama National League North

Sunday 19th July 2020- 1.30pm
Elimination Round- Match A - Altrincham vs Chester
Sunday 19th July 2020- 4pm
Elimination Round- Match B – Brackley Town vs Gateshead

Saturday 25th July 2020- 3pm
Semi Final – York City vs Winner of Match A
Saturday 25th July 2020- 5.30pm
Semi Final – Boston United vs Winner of Match B

Saturday 1st August 2020- 3pm
Promotion Final – Stadium of highest ranked finalist

Vanarama National League South

Sunday 19th July 2020- 1.30pm
Elimination Round - Match A – Slough Town vs Dartford
Sunday 19th July 2020- 4pm
Elimination Round - Match B – Bath City vs Dorking Wanderers

Saturday 25th July 2020- 3pm
Semi Final – Havant & Waterlooville vs Winner of Match A
Saturday 25th July 2020- 5.30pm
Semi Final – Weymouth vs Winner of Match B

Saturday 1st August 2020- 3pm
Promotion Final – Stadium of highest ranked finalist

Where next?

Wood Are One Game From Wembley As They Haunt Halifax Boreham Wood are potentially just 90 minutes away from a return to Wembley after overcoming FC Halifax as National League football finally returned.
Details Confirmed for North and South Play-Off Streaming Service The National League’s live streaming platform for the Vanarama National League North and South play-offs has officially been launched.

Match centre

Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South
National League Cup Group A