Southend United overcame Wealdstone in a tense penalty shootout to win the 2025-26 Isuzu FA Trophy Final.
It finished goalless after 90 minutes and a vital double save from Collin Andeng-Ndi to deny Olufela Olomolo and Jack Hinchy was followed a winning spot-kick from Gus Scott-Morriss to wrap up the tie, 4-2 on penalties.
This spared the blushes of substitute Charley Kendall, who saw his effort denied by Wealdstone goalkeeper Dante-Astor Baptiste.
Both sides were presented with goalscoring opportunities throughout, though, identical to the Isuzu FA Vase Final earlier in the afternoon, it came down to penalties.
The two teams grappled for possession in the early stages of the showpiece, in front of a rapturous display of support from both sets of supporters.
Jack Bridge did well to win a free-kick for Southend with just four minutes on the clock, though the delivery was overhit by Oli Coker.
Two minutes later, Harry Cardwell struck the left-hand post following a solo effort on goal and the follow-up was cleared by Wealdstone.
Southend centre-back James Golding was on the hunt for an opener but after a driving run through the middle of the park, he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Wealdstone almost took the lead directly from a corner just shy of the 20-minute mark, with Southend goalkeeper Andeng-Ndi required to punch the ball off his line.
Nathan Tshikuna neatly worked his way past several Southend players, though his shot towards goal from the edge of the box was scuffed wide of the target.
Micah Obiero looked to write his name in lights just ten minutes before the break but his left-footed curling attempt proved no danger to Andeng Ndi’s goal.
Leon Parillon almost scored a stunning goal with around two minutes remaining of the first half. However, the Southend midfielder saw his effort sail over the bar.
Andeng Ndi produced an incredible save on the stroke of half time to keep Wealdstone out once more, stretching to his right-hand post to tip the ball wide, keeping the tie goalless.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half were an equal affair, with Wealdstone having a slight advantage in the chances department, though they were still without a goal.
Jack Bridge had a great opportunity to open the scoring with 20 minutes left on the clock. However, Wealdstone goalkeeper Baptiste opened his body up to slide and claim the ball from his feet.
Southend were persistent as substitute Keenan Appiah-Forsun struck the crossbar with a delivery intended for his teammates at the far post.
Obiero was close to opening the scoring in the remaining minutes but Southend stood strong in their defensive positions to deny the Stones.
Andeng Ndi impressed again in goal for Southend, denying Hinchy the chance of a late winner.
Southend quickly found themselves with a two-goal advantage in the shootout, only for Kendall to step up and see his effort saved. But in the end, Scott-Morriss’ decisive kick in front of 43,306 fans gifted the Shrimpers the win at Wembley.
Southend United: 30 Collin Andeng Ndi (GK), 2 Gus Scott-Morriss, 3 Nathan Ralph (C), 6 Ben Goodliffe, 7 Jack Bridge, 9 Andrew Dallas, 19 Leon Parillon, 21 Harry Cardwell, James Morton, 26 James Golding, 28 Oli Coker
Substitutions: 15 Joe Gubbins for Goodcliffe 60’, 22 Keenan Appiah-Forsun for Coker 60’, 24 Charley Kendall for Cardwell 72’, 33 Harry Boyes for Parillon 82’, 14 Tom Hopper for Dallas 82’
Substitutes not used: 10 Sam Austin, 17 Cav Miley
Manager: Kevin Maher
Wealdstone: 1 Dante-Astor Baptiste (GK), 2 Jack Cook (C), 3 Anthony Georgiou, 5 Deonyus Woodman, 8 Dylan Kadji, 14 Micah Obiero, 17 Dominic Hutchinson, 20 Nathan Tshikuna, 22 Connor McAvoy, 25 Jack Wells-Morrison, 27 Sean Adarkwa
Substitutions: 29 Junior Tiensia for Cook 46’, 12 Michael Adu-Poku for Hutchinson 78’, 32 Jack Hinchy for Adarkwa 79’, 4 Omar Mussa for Georgiou 90’, 9 Olufela Olomola for Kadji 90+3’
Substitutes not used: 13 Endurance Johnson (GK), 15 Ashley Nathaniel-George
Manager: Gary Waddock
