2023 EFL League One play-off final

2023 EFL League One play-off final

Sheffield Wednesday lift the play-off trophy after beating Barnsley in the final seconds of the game, hailed as one of the greatest play-off campaigns of all time [1]
Barnsley Sheffield Wednesday 0 1
After extra time
Date	29 May 2023 (2023-05-29)
Venue	Wembley Stadium, London
Referee	Tim Robinson
Attendance	72,492
← 2022 2024 →

The 2023 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match, which took place on 29 May 2023 at Wembley Stadium, London, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One, the third tier of English football, to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of the 2022–23 EFL League One will gain automatic promotion to the Championship, while the clubs placed from third to sixth in the table will take part in 2023 English Football League play-offs. ^[2]

Route to the final

Main articles: 2022–23 EFL League One and 2023 English Football League play-offs § League One

EFL League One final table, leading positions ^[3]

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Plymouth Argyle (C, P)	46	31	8	7	82	47	+35	101	Promotion to 2023-24 EFL Championship
2	Ipswich Town (P)	46	28	14	4	101	35	+66	98
3	Sheffield Wednesday (O, P)	46	28	12	6	81	37	+44	96	Qualified
4	Barnsley	46	26	8	12	80	47	+33	86
5	Bolton Wanderers	46	23	12	11	62	36	+26	81	Eliminated
6	Peterborough United	46	24	5	17	75	54	+21	77

(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Sheffield Wednesday finished the regular 2022-23 season in third place, finishing on 96 points, 2 points behind runners-up Ipswich town. They finished 10 points above Barnsley, who finished the season in fourth place. Both were hence consigned to the play-offs.

Main article: Miracle of Hillsborough

Wednesday were drawn against sixth placed Peterborough United, who had finished in the play-offs on the final matchday due to Wednesday's victory over Derby County at Hillsborough. Despite an early chance from Wednesday striker Micheal Smith, Peterborough were ultimately dominant within the first leg at London Road, winning the game 4-0 thanks to goals from Jack Taylor, Joe Ward, Kwame Poku and Jonson Clarke-Harris. ^[4] Despite Wednesday's toothless performance in the first leg, Wednesday were able to revert their fortunes in the second leg. In a game dubbed "The miracle of Hillsborough" by the club itself, ^[5] Wednesday were able to score 4 goals in normal time, taking the game to Extra time. Despite conceding an own goal in the first half of extra-time after a free kick was diverted off of the head of Lee Gregory into the net, Wednesday were able to equalise once more due to a goal from striker Callum Patterson, with the game finishing 5-5 on aggregate. Wednesday were then victorious in the penalty shootout, booking their second ever visit to the new Wembley stadium and confirming their participation in their third play-off final. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Barnsley's play-off semi final was far less eventful. They faced Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet community stadium (or University of Bolton stadium, as it was then known) in the first leg on May 13 2023. After a goalless first half, Barnsley were able to take the lead due to a goal from Nicky Cadden, but the hosts equalised four minutes later after a goal from Dion Charles. ^[9] The game finished 1-1 and the two sides went into the second leg at Oakwell on level terms on May 19, a game which was decided by a 24th minute goal by Liam Kitching, ^[10] with Barnsley qualifying for their 4th play-off final ^[11]

Match

29 May 2023 (2023-05-29)

15:00 BST

Barnsley	0–1 (a.e.t.)	Sheffield Wednesday
		Windass 120+3'

Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 72,492

Referee: Tim Robinson

Barnsley

Sheffield Wednesday

GK 1 Harry Isted CB 12 Bobby Thomas  95' CB 6 Mads Juel Andersen (c) CB 5 Liam Kitching RM 2 Jordan Williams CM 30 Adam Phillips  49' CM 48 Luca Connell LM 8 Herbie Kane  72' AM 7 Nicky Cadden  106' CF 31 Slobodan Tedić  46' CF 44 Devante Cole  72' Substitutes: GK 40 Bradley Collins DF 24 Robbie Cundy MF 3 Jon Russell  90+1' MF 10 Josh Benson  72' 90+1' MF 16 Luke Thomas  72' FW 9 James Norwood  46' FW 47 Max Watters  106' Head Coach: Michael Duff

GK 25 Cameron Dawson CB 6 Dominic Iorfa CB 20 Michael Ihiekwe CB 33 Reece James  103' DM 13 Callum Paterson  79' RM 2 Liam Palmer CM 10 Barry Bannan (c)  116' CM 18 Marvin Johnson LM 11 Josh Windass 120+3' CF 24 Michael Smith CF 9 Lee Gregory Substitutes: GK 31 David Stockdale DF 3 Jaden Brown DF 32 Jack Hunt  103' DF 44 Aden Flint MF 8 Dennis Adeniran MF 17 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru  116' FW 4 Will Vaulks  79' Head Coach: Darren Moore

Statistics

	Barnsley F.C.	Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Possession	46%	54%
Goals scored	0	1
Shots on target	2	8
Shots off target	6	8
Fouls committed	11	12
Corner kicks	5	5
Yellow cards	1	0
Red cards	1	0

Summary

The match kicked off at 3PM ^[12] to a crowd 72,492, 44,000 of those Wednesday fans ^[13] and hence approximately 28,000 Barnsley supporters. The first half proved to be rather uneventful, however very soon into the second half, two controversial decisions occurred that have been a point of contention amongst Barnsley fans. The first, a challenge by Lee Gregory on Liam Kitching in the penalty box, which was reviewed by VAR and deemed not to be a penalty. The second, the sending off of Adam Phillips due to a sliding challenge on Lee Gregory. ^[14] Despite Wednesday's advantage due to this decision, the two South Yorkshire sides were still level by the end of normal time, although Barnsley had come close to a goal after Nicky Cadden's volley deflected off of the head of Kitching, hitting the crossbar. ^[14]

In extra-time, Wednesday was close to taking the lead after a close ranged shot from Wednesday striker Smith was saved by Harry Isted. Barnsley themselves came close to taking the lead a few minutes later, with Luca Connell six yards from the net but was ultimately unable to convert. ^[14] Wednesday believed they had taken the lead a few minutes later following a strike from Will Vaulks into the back of the net, but this was ruled offside by the linesman. ^[15]

The deciding goal would finally come in the 120+3rd minute, with Josh Windass heading the ball past Isted to secure Wednesday's position in the EFL Championship for the first time since 2021 ^[14]

Post-match

Reactions

Wednesday manager Darren Moore told Sky sports that he was "really pleased for everyone connected with the club".

Dean Windass, the father of Josh, who, in 2008, scored a goal in similar circumstances for Hull city against Bristol City in the Championship play-off final ^[16] emphasised how proud he was, stating "There's no words, there's no words. Wow. I knew he'd score, this morning when I woke up at 5.30 I was nervous and even with his head as well - I can't believe he's headed it." ^[14]

However, Barnsley manager Micheal Duff, stated his belief that Gregory's challenge on Kitching constituted a penalty and Phillips' challenge only a booking. ^[14]

Celebrations

Sheffield Wednesday fans outside Sheffield town hall celebrating their promotion. Photo by De6strrrrr.

On May 31 2023 Sheffield Wednesday hosted a victory parade to celebrate their promotion. The players were upon an open top bus which left Devonshire Green at 17:30 and arrived at the town hall at 18:30. ^[17] Upon arriving at the town hall, Wednesday players, staff and even owner Deijphon Chansiri thanked fans for their support ^[18]

References

1. "Sheffield Wednesday promoted to Championship with 123rd-minute Windass winner". Reuters. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
2. "EFL Key Dates". English Football League . Retrieved 30 April 2023.
3. "League One – 2023/2024 – Regular season". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
4. "Report | Peterborough 4-0 Wednesday". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
5. "Relive the Miracle of Hillsborough from start to finish!". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
6. "Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 Peterborough (Agg: 5-5): Owls win 5-3 on penalties after launching stunning comeback to reach League One play-off final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
7. "Sheffield Wednesday: How the Owls pulled off the biggest comeback in EFL play-off history". BBC Sport. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
8. "Sheffield Wednesday vs Peterborough United on 18 May 23". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
9. "Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Barnsley: League One play-off semi-final in balance after draw in first leg". BBC Sport. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
10. "Barnsley 1-0 Bolton Wanderers (Agg 2-1): Tykes to face Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in final". BBC Sport. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
11. Crann, Joe (22 May 2023). "Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley's play-off final records heading into huge Wembley clash". The star. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
12. "Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday on 29 May 23 - Match Centre - Barnsley Football Club". www.barnsleyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
13. "Sheffield Wed 1-0 Barnsley (29 May, 2023) Game Analysis - ESPN (UK)". ESPN. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
14. "Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Josh Windass wins League One play-off final in last minute of extra time". BBC Sport. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
15. "Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday AET: Josh Windass scores last-gasp winner to send Owls into the Championship". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
16. Froston, Nancy. "History repeats: Windass scores winner at Wembley 15 years after his dad". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 5 June 2024.
17. "Owls to celebrate with victory parade!". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
18. Marshall, Sarah (31 May 2023). "Jubilation as Owls parade through Sheffield city centre to mark Wednesday's Championship promotion". The Sheffield Star. Retrieved 5 June 2024.