2016 Football League Two play-off final

{{Infobox football match

| title = 2016 Football League Two play-off final

| image = File:Wembley-Stadion 2013.jpg

| caption = The match took place at Wembley Stadium.

| event = 2015–16 Football League Two

| team2 = Plymouth Argyle

| team2score = 0

| team1 = AFC Wimbledon

| team1score = 2

| date = 30 May 2016

| stadium = Wembley Stadium

| city = London

| man_of_the_match1a =

| referee = Iain Williamson

| attendance = 57,956

| weather =

| previous = 2015

| next = 2017

}}

The 2016 Football League Two play-off final was an association football match played on 30 May 2016 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Plymouth Argyle and AFC Wimbledon. The match determined the fourth and final team to gain promotion from Football League Two, English football's fourth tier, to Football League One. The top three teams of the 2015–16 Football League Two season gained automatic promotion to League One, while those placed from fourth to seventh in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2016–17 season in League One. Plymouth Argyle finished in fifth place while Wimbledon ended the season in seventh position. Accrington Stanley and Portsmouth were the losing semi-finalists.

The final was played in front of 57,956 spectators and was refereed by Iain Williamson. The first half ended goalless, but in the 77th minute, substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa's first action was to help win a corner for Wimbledon, from which Lyle Taylor scored with a low shot past Luke McCormick. Ten minutes into stoppage time, Ade Azeez won a penalty which was scored by Akinfenwa to make it 2–0 which was the final score. It was Wimbledon's sixth promotion since the club's formation in 2002.

Wimbledon ended their following season in fifteenth place in the League One table, while Plymouth finished the next season in second position to gain automatic promotion to League One for the 2017–18 season.

Route to the final

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

|res_col_header=Q

|float=right

|teamwidth=auto

|title=Football League Two final table, leading positions

|name_NOR = Northampton Town

|name_OXF = Oxford United

|name_BRO = Bristol Rovers

|name_ACC = Accrington Stanley

|name_PLY = Plymouth Argyle

|name_POR = Portsmouth

|name_WIM = AFC Wimbledon

|update=complete|title_source={{Cite web | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20152016/regular-season/ | website = Soccerway | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = League Two – 2015/2016 – Regular season | publisher = Perform Group }}

}}

Plymouth Argyle finished the regular 2015–16 season in fifth place in Football League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, two positions ahead of AFC Wimbledon. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to Football League One and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the fourth promoted team. Plymouth Argyle finished four points behind Bristol Rovers (who were promoted in third place), five behind Oxford United (promoted in second) and eighteen behind league winners Northampton Town. Wimbledon ended the season two places and six points behind Plymouth Argyle.

Wimbledon's opponents in their play-off semi-final were Accrington Stanley with the first match of the two-legged tie being played on 14 May 2016 at Kingsmeadow in Greater London. After a goalless first half in which no shots on target were made by either side, Tom Beere's low shot three minutes into injury time beat Neil Etheridge in the Accrington goal to ensure the match ended 1–0.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36238786 | title = AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Accrington Stanley | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | first = Tom | last = Garry | archive-date = 4 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161204014843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36238786 | url-status = live }} The second leg of the semi-final play-off took place four days later at the Crown Ground in Accrington. Josh Windass levelled the tie with a penalty six minutes before half-time after Scott Brown was fouled. Piero Mingoia then put Accrington ahead on aggregate with a strike in the 59th minute. Midway through the second half, a header from Adebayo Akinfenwa made it 2–1 and with no further change to the scoreline, the game went into extra time. Lyle Taylor then scored after Etheridge had saved an effort from Jake Reeves, and Wimbledon progressed to the final with a 3–2 aggregate victory.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36263628 | title = Accrington Stanley 2–2 Wimbledon | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | first = Brendon | last = Mitchell | date = 18 May 2016 | archive-date = 8 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108190703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36263628 | url-status = live }}

In the second play-off semi-final, Plymouth Argyle faced Portsmouth and the first leg was played at Fratton Park in Portsmouth on 12 May 2016. A strike from the edge of Plymouth's penalty area from Marc McNulty gave the home side a third-minute lead but Jamille Matt equalised six minutes later with a header. On 19 minutes, Matt put Plymouth ahead with an overhead kick. Six minutes after half-time, Peter Hartley fouled McNulty in the box, and Gary Roberts converted the subsequent penalty to make it 2–2.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36238819 | title = Portsmouth 2–2 Plymouth Argyle | access-date = 25 January 2021 | publisher = BBC Sport | first = Adam | last = Williams | archive-date = 3 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161203042313/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36238819 | url-status = live }} The second leg was held at Home Park in Plymouth three days later. The home side dominated the game but did not score until injury time in the second half when Hartley converted Graham Carey's corner. The match ended 1–0 giving Plymouth a 3–2 aggregate win and progression to the play-off final at Wembley.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240107 | title = Plymouth Argyle 1–0 Portsmouth | access-date = 25 January 2021 | publisher = BBC Sport | first = Brent | last = Pilnick | date = 15 May 2016 | archive-date = 4 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201204152851/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240107 | url-status = live }}

Match

=Background=

Prior to the final, the teams had faced each other three times during the season. Plymouth had won the league match at Kingsmeadow in August 2015, followed by victory there in the EFL Trophy the following month. Wimbledon won the other league fixture between the sides, with a 2–1 victory in April 2016.{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/plymouth-argyle/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/AFC%20Wimbledon/ | website = 11v11 | access-date = 25 January 2021 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | title = Plymouth Argyle football club: record v AFC Wimbledon | archive-date = 17 August 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150817062844/http://www.11v11.com/teams/plymouth-argyle/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/AFC%20Wimbledon | url-status = live }} AFC Wimbledon fans were allocated the West End of Wembley, while Plymouth Argyle supporters were seated in the East End. The referee for the match was Iain Williamson, assisted by Ron Ganfield and Paul Marsden. Tim Robinson was the fourth official and the reserve assistant referee was Tom Bramall.{{Cite web | url = https://www.efl.com/news/2016/may/sky-bet-league-2-play-off-final---key-information/ | publisher = English Football League | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = Sky Bet League 2 Play-Off Final – Key Information | date = 26 May 2016 | archive-date = 29 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200929173347/https://www.efl.com/news/2016/may/sky-bet-league-2-play-off-final---key-information/ | url-status = live }} The live match was broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, with highlights of the match shown later on Channel 5.

Wimbledon wore all-blue kit with yellow trim while Plymouth played in green-and-white striped shirts, green shorts and green-and-white socks.

=Summary=

File:Adebayo Akinfenwa 2015 (cropped).jpg

Plymouth Argyle kicked off the match at around 3{{nbsp}}p.m. in front of 57,956 spectators. In the seventh minute, a header from a deep free-kick was flicked on by Taylor but his shot was saved, and soon after Carey's shot flew over the Wimbledon crossbar. Six minutes later, a Taylor shot was deflected out for a corner which was cleared to Reeves whose volley went wide of the Plymouth goal.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/5 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = How AFC Wimbledon won promotion (5 of 7)| date = 30 May 2016 | first = Tom | last = Garry}} In the 25th minute, Kelvin Mellor almost scored an own goal after deflecting a Wimbledon cross but the ball went wide, and Plymouth cleared the subsequent corner. Five minutes before half-time, a long-range strike from Callum Kennedy was saved by Luke McCormick in the Plymouth goal. After a minute of injury time, the referee blew the whistle to bring the half to an end with the score goalless.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/4 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = How AFC Wimbledon won promotion (4 of 7)| date = 30 May 2016 | first = Tom | last = Garry}}

The second half was kicked off by Wimbledon but the first chance fell to Plymouth on 47 minutes: a high cross intended for Jake Jervis was punched clear by Kelle Roos, the Wimbledon goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Carl McHugh's mis-hit pass almost beat his own goalkeeper but went wide for a corner. In the 56th minute, a shot from Andy Barcham was blocked before Tom Elliott headed over the bar from a Taylor cross. Gregg Wylde became the first player to be booked after being shown the yellow card for a foul on Wimbledon's Barry Fuller in the 63rd minute. Two minutes later, Carey's curling free kick from around {{convert|30|yd}} was saved by Roos, then Darius Charles was booked for a foul on Matt. On 68 minutes, Plymouth made their first substitution of the afternoon with Jervis being replaced by Craig Tanner. Soon after, Jonathan Meades came on to replace Connor Smith for Wimbledon.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/3 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = How AFC Wimbledon won promotion (3 of 7)| date = 30 May 2016 | first = Tom | last = Garry}} In the 77th minute, Elliott left the pitch to be replaced by Akinfenwa whose first action a minute later was to help win a corner for Wimbledon, from which Taylor scored with a low shot past McCormick. The Plymouth goalkeeper made another save four minutes later before Reid came on to replace Wylde in the 83rd minute. Hartley was then injured in a clash with Akinfenwa and was stretchered off the pitch, and replaced by Jordon Forster. In the 90th minute, McCormick tipped away Akinfenwa's header to keep the score at 1–0, and the game went into seven minutes of injury time. Tanner was brought down in the 95th minute but the referee ignored appeals for a penalty from Plymouth before Taylor's weak shot after a one-on-one with McCormick was easily saved by the goalkeeper.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/2 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = How AFC Wimbledon won promotion (2 of 7) | date = 30 May 2016 | first = Tom | last = Garry | archive-date = 28 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191128160503/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/2 | url-status = live }} Taylor was then replaced by Ade Azeez in Wimbledon's third substitution of the match. Ten minutes into stoppage time, Azeez won a penalty which was scored by Akinfenwa to make it 2–0 which was the final score.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/36165479/page/1 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = How AFC Wimbledon won promotion (1 of 7)| date = 30 May 2016 | first = Tom | last = Garry}}

=Details=

{{football box

|date=30 May 2016

|time=15:00

|team1=AFC Wimbledon

|score=2–0

|report=[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36355814 Report]

|team2=Plymouth Argyle

|goals1=Taylor {{goal|78}}
Akinfenwa {{goal|90+10|pen.}}

|goals2=

|stadium=Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance=57,956

|referee=Iain Williamson

}}

width=92%

{{Football kit

| pattern_la = _thinyellowborder

| pattern_b = _6thinyellowstripes

| pattern_ra = _thinyellowborder

| pattern_sh = _yellowbottom

| pattern_so =

| leftarm = 0000ff

| body = 0000ff

| rightarm = 0000ff

| shorts = 0000ff

| socks = 0000ff

| title = AFC Wimbledon

}}

|{{Football kit

| pattern_la = _plymouth1516h

| pattern_b = _plymouth1516h

| pattern_ra = _plymouth1516h

| pattern_sh = _plymouth1516h

| pattern_so = _plymouth1516hl

| leftarm = 00563F

| body = 00563F

| rightarm = 00563F

| shorts = 000000

| socks = FFFFFF

| title = Plymouth Argyle

}}

width=25\|	width=25\|
style="width:100%;"
style="vertical-align:top; width:40%;"\| {\| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
colspan="4"\|
GK	29	Kelle Roos
RB	2	Barry Fuller (c)
CB	20	Ryan Sweeney
CB	32	Darius Charles	{{yel\|67}}
LB	3	Callum Kennedy
RM	18	Connor Smith		{{suboff\|69}}
CM	4	Dannie Bulman
CM	8	Jake Reeves
LM	17	Andy Barcham
CF	9	Tom Elliott		{{suboff\|77}}
CF	33	Lyle Taylor	{{yel\|79}}	{{suboff\|90+7}}
colspan=4\|Substitutes:
GK	1	James Shea
DF	6	Paul Robinson
DF	12	Jonathan Meades		{{subon\|69}}
MF	11	Sean Rigg
FW	14	Ade Azeez		{{subon\|90+7}}
FW	39	Rhys Murphy
FW	10	Adebayo Akinfenwa	{{yel\|90+11}}	{{subon\|77}}
colspan=4\|Manager:
colspan="4"\|Neal Ardley

|valign="top"|

|style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

width=25\|	width=25\|
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size:90%; margin:auto;"
colspan="4"\|
GK	23	Luke McCormick
RB	2	Kelvin Mellor
CB	5	Curtis Nelson (c)
CB	6	Peter Hartley		{{suboff\|86}}
LB	3	Gary Sawyer
DM	4	Carl McHugh
DM	20	Hiram Boateng
RW	14	Jake Jervis		{{suboff\|68}}
AM	10	Graham Carey
LW	11	Gregg Wylde	{{yel\|62}}	{{suboff\|82}}
CF	19	Jamille Matt
colspan=4\|Substitutes:
GK	31	Vincent Dorel
DF	28	Jordon Forster		{{subon\|86}}
DF	16	Ben Purrington
MF	32	Jordan Houghton
FW	27	Craig Tanner		{{subon\|68}}
FW	15	Tyler Harvey
FW	9	Reuben Reid		{{subon\|82}}
colspan=4\|Manager:
colspan="4"\|Derek Adams

Post match

The scorer of Wimbledon's second goal, Akinfenwa revealed shortly after the end of the game that he had been released and that he was looking for a new club.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36413941 |title=Adebayo Akinfenwa: AFC Wimbledon icon released after play-off final win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=29 November 2017 |archive-date=30 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530220854/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36413941 |url-status=live }} It was Wimbledon's sixth promotion since the club's formation in 2002.

Wimbledon ended their following season in fifteenth place in the League One table.{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/afc-wimbledon/tab/leagueTables/2017/ | website = 11v11| publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 25 January 2021| title = League One table at close of 2016–17 season}} Plymouth finished the next season in second position in League Two to gain automatic promotion to League One for the 2017–18 season.{{Cite web | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20162017/regular-season/r36644/ | website = Soccerway | publisher = Perform Group | access-date = 25 January 2021 | title = League Two – 2016/2017 – Regular season | archive-date = 24 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210124161952/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20162017/regular-season/r36644/ | url-status = live }}

References

Play-off Final 2016

Category:EFL League Two play-off finals

Football League Two play-off final