Live Blog: Vanarama National League Promotion Final

By Tom Scott

Join us here for live coverage of today's Vanarama National League Promotion Final between Salford City and AFC Fylde at Wembley.

Both clubs have equally bold ambitions for their respective futures but only one can progress to the EFL today.


18:07 - LIAM HOGAN: "The third goal probably did kill AFC Fylde off. But we knew once we got three that we kept our cool and manage the game and I think we did that. You look at the likes of Lincoln and how they've gone up the leagues, there's no reason why we can't do the same - this group will go far."


17:50 - GRAHAM ALEXANDER: "This is my first experience of the national league and the standard has been exceptionally high. We had a tough game against Eastleigh and it was another tough game today but I’m delighted to do it this way."


17:40 - DAVE CHALLINOR: "You can always look back and think ‘what if’ but ultimately today we’ve not been good enough. We want to get out of this division, we don’t hide that. I hope to be challenging for the play-offs again next season but it’s not going to be easy."


17:16 - BRING ON THE CONFETTI! They've got their medals now Salford City head back onto the pitch to celebrate with their fans once again!


17:08 - PROMOTION FINAL MATCH REPORT - Read all about today's action from Wembley right here. Salford City move on to League Two!


17:05 - FULL-TIME ANALYSIS: A victory as convincing as the scoreline suggests. AFC Fylde had no answer for Salford City - Carl Piergianni's goal gave the Coasters a mountain to climb early in the second-half before Ibou Touray rounded things off nicely for the elated Ammies.


17:03 - Salford City celebrate with their fans after their fourth promotion in five years. AFC Fylde look dejected as they watch on.

16:59 - THREE-SY DOES IT! It's elation for the Ammies who commiserate their AFC Fylde counterparts. Goals from Mani Dieseruvwe, Carl Piergianni and Ibou Touray helped them over the line.


16:58 - FULL-TIME - SALFORD CITY ARE PROMOTED TO THE EFL!


16:47 - Salford City are five minutes away from the Football League. They lead 3-0.


16:44 - CHANCE FOR AFC FYLDE! James Hardy's shot ripples the net but unfortunately for the Coasters, it's into the side netting.


16:40 - Final change for the Ammies and it's the man who opened the scoring, Mani Dieseruvwe who receives a standing ovation as he makes way for Rory Gaffney.


16:36 - Final change for AFC Fylde. Andy Bond is off and Andy Crawford comes on for the final quarter of an hour.


16:30 - Another change for Salford City. Off comes Danny Whitehead to be replaced by Mark Shelton.


16:25 - We saw Liverpool overturn a three-goal deficit earlier in the week and now AFC Fylde need something similar with less than half an hour to go. "We are going up!" is the chant from the Salford City fans.


16:22 - GOAL FOR SALFORD CITY! It's three for the Ammies and this time it's Abou Touray! It looked like a cross and it's caught out AFC Fylde keeper Jay Lynch. Salford surely on course for victory now.


16:20 - Second change for AFC Fylde. Alex Reid makes way for James Hardy as the Coasters look to get back into the game.


16:17 - First change for Salford City, Devante Rodney replaces Gus Mafuta for the Ammies.


16:15 - GOAL FOR SALFORD CITY! It had to be! Carl Piergianni towers above everyone to nod home a corner to double Salford City's lead. Is that the goal to confirm their place in League Two next season?


16:09 - HUGE CHANCE FOR SALFORD CITY! Scott Wiseman whips the ball in for Mani Dieseruvwe but he can't get his header on target when he really should've scored from six-yards.


16:07 - KICK-OFF! We're underway again for the second-half!


15:54 - FIRST-HALF ANALYSIS: Salford City have done a good job of keeping AFC Fylde talisman Danny Rowe quiet - Ryan Croasdale and Andy Bond have both gone close since Mani Dieseruvwe opened the scoring but Graham Alexander will be pleased with his side after that first-half display.


15:52 - HALF-TIME! James Oldham calls time on the first-half and it's Salford City who lead through Mani Dieseruvwe's goal in the 15th minute.


15:42 - CHANCE FOR AFC FYLDE! Ryan Croasdale gets a shot away but it bends just wide of Chris Neal's right-hand post.


15:32 - CHANCE FOR AFC FYLDE! The Coasters fire a warning for Salford. Andy Bond races into the box and his shot clips the bar on it's way over.


15:20 - AFC Fylde make their first substitution and it's Luke Burke who makes way for Nick Haughton who comes on against his former club.


15:15 - GOAL FOR SALFORD CITY! Mani Dieseruvwe latches onto a loose ball in the box and the Ammies lead!


15:09 - YELLOW CARD! Nathan Pond is the first in referee James Oldham's book today.


15:08 - CHANCE FOR SALFORD! Scott Wiseman with a shot just wide of the post from 25-yards!


15:01 - AFC Fylde straight on the attack. Alex Reid a whisker away from the low drilled cross from the left.


15:00 - KICK-OFF! It's Salford City to get us underway at Wembley.


14:46 - A rousing rendition of the national anthem from Martin Toal and we're moments away from kick-off.


14:53 - HERE COME THE TEAMS! Both sets of fans in full voice as AFC Fylde and Salford City line-up ready for the national anthem.


14:38 - Both teams head back down the tunnel for their final team talks. We've got approximately 20 minutes to go until kick-off!


14:33 - Entertainer Martin Toal is warming up the crowds with a rendition of 'Is This The Way To Amarillo' Both teams will be wondering if today will guide the way to the EFL.


14:16 - The warm-ups are underway as the sun makes it's first appearance of the day. The atmosphere is building!


14:07 - The teams are in!

AFC Fylde: Lynch, Francis-Angol, Byrne, Tunnicliffe, Bond, Croasdale, Rowe, Philliskirk, Burke, Bradley, Reid

Salford City: Neal, Wiseman, Touray, Mafuta, Hogan, Piergianni, Maynard, Redmond, Whitehead, Dieseruvwe, Pond


13:52 - AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor told us he is expecting a tight game but is hopeful the Coasters can be in the EFL next season.


13:23 - Both teams emerge from the tunnel to a ripple of applause. We've got just over 90 minutes until kick-off.


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Where next?

AFC Fylde Get Play-Off Well Wishes From The PM! AFC Fylde have received some, perhaps unexpected backing from Prime Minister Theresa May.
Vanarama National League Team Of The Season Confirmed After eight months’ worth of toil, we can now confirm the National League Team of the Season. Voted for by the clubs, here is the select side which we are delighted to honour.

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Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South

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