Summary

  • Kitching's first-half header sends Barnsley to final

  • Tykes came close to second when Phillips hit bar

  • They will face South Yorkshire rivals Sheff Wed at Wembley on Monday, 29 May

  • Barnsley finished regular season fourth, five points ahead of Bolton

  • Get involved using #bbcefl

  1. An all-Yorkshire final awaitspublished at 22:40 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    That's where we'll leave you.

    A week on Monday, Barnsley will take on Sheffield Wednesday in an all-South Yorkshire League One play-off final.

    We've been treated to a great set of semi-finals so far and tomorrow the set will be complete, as League Two's second legs get under way.

    We'll take you through all the action as Carlisle face off against Bradford and Stockport take on Salford.

    For now though, thank you for joining us.

  2. 'My first time at Wembley'published at 22:38 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley defender Liam Kitching told Sky Sports: "The whole performance was very organised and we dealt well with a good team.

    "I'm glad to get the goal but it was a good performance. I didn't feel pressure at all. I know where Luca's going to put it and I just put it in the goal.

    "[Beating Wednesday twice] fills me with loads of confidence, and maybe I can get the winner in the final. I watched them last night - credit to them, they've been a good team all season. Ninety-six points, hats off to them - but we'll see them at Wembley.

    "It's my first time playing at Wembley, so I can't wait."

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:37 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Tweet using #bbcefl or Text 81111 (UK standard rates apply)

    Martyn Davies: Congratulations to Barnsley. They beat us fair and square over 180 minutes. In reality, we can't expect to finish fifth in the division - 15-to-20 points behind the leading pack - and gain promotion. Good luck Barnsley. As for us, we go again next year on the back of serious improvements from 2019.

    Ricky Swales: I reckon the final should be played in Manchester. Of course it's great for the two clubs to have a day out at Wembley, but for the fans it is so expensive. I'm pretty sure both sets of supporters would prefer it to be held at Old Trafford or even the Etihad. Just my opinion.

    Matt Richards: I'm sure Barnsley are in the League One play-off final every single year.

  4. 'The club is moving in the right direction'published at 22:35 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt told Sky Sports:

    "We started the first half better and had control. The goal came out of the blue, I don't think it was a foul. In these games tight margins make a difference.

    "They're really strong from set plays and it took us a long time to recover. We started the second half on top. We controlled the game and the ball and there were some nerves from them.

    "It's really hard to break them down and we couldn't find a solution. I'm really proud of the players.

    "We were in League Two two years ago, we're making progress and expections will be high next season.

    "It's frustrating. We haven't got to our level in the past two games. If we had, we would have won the game. We showed it in spells and that we can manage the ball but we didn't hae any utting edge.

    "This club is moving in the right direction again, but it takes time and it's a process."

  5. 'London Calling'published at 22:31 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    The Reds head down the tunnel after completing a lap of honour as London Calling by the Clash blares out.

    When they emerge from a tunnel for the final time this season it will be at Wembley at the League One play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday.

    What a way to end the season.

  6. Postpublished at 22:29 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian EvattImage source, Getty Images

    Penny for the thoughts of Bolton boss Ian Evatt tonight.

    His side have had a season to remember, but have fallen short at the end of a long campaign.

    From the euphoria of victory at Wembley in the Papa John's Trophy at the beginning of last month, to the agony of defeat this evening.

  7. 'The fact we've beaten Sheff Wed twice means nothing'published at 22:27 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley boss Michael Duff told Sky Sports:

    "We'll enjoy it. You can hear what it means to everybody. The fact we've beaten them [Sheffield Wednesday] twice already means absolutely nothing.

    "Sheffield Wednesday have been up there all season, we know the challenge ahead, but of the losses they've had, we've been two of them.

    "They'll be the favourites no doubt. This group have been written off from the start. We lost a few players, went a month without scoring a goal, but they've stuck together and all the rest has happened.

    "The spirit has been first class from all of them, probably because they're so young."

  8. 'You can tell we had a game plan'published at 22:25 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley midfielder Luca Connell told Sky Sports:

    "I think it was more the header, it was brilliant. It's about the performance. You can tell tonight we had a game plan and we stuck tot it and got the result.

    "[On facing his former club] You prepare as you do for any game. I gave them a clap and some of them gave me a good reception but there's no bad blood.

    "We're going to enjoy it. We'll enjoy a day or so but we're back to work and we'll be ready for the final."

  9. Postpublished at 22:21 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    Barnsley gaffer Michael Duff has just come sprinting back out on to the pitch pumping his fist to the fans.

    Fair play, that has really tickled me.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:20 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Tweet using #bbcefl or Text 81111 (UK standard rates apply)

    SWFCfan12: A South Yorkshire final. What comes next?

    Mike NFFC: It’s fair: the teams that finished third and fourth are in the final.

    RhysWesto: Only watched the last 20 minutes but Bolton's players didn’t look bothered about whether they won or lost.

  11. Postpublished at 22:18 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    They're playing a sort of dance remix of Sweet Caroline...

    Not for me, I have to say. Each to their own though.

  12. 'It's going to be a very big game'published at 22:14 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley captain Mads Andersen told Sky Sports:

    “Reaching the final means a lot if we win it, so let’s go there and win it.

    “It was the best atmosphere in my time in Barnsley, it was a good experience.

    “I’m excited to face Sheffield Wednesday, it’s going to be a very big game and I’m looking forward to it.”

  13. From disarray to delightpublished at 22:08 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    Post-matchImage source, Getty Images

    So Barnsley's epic season will now end under the Wembley arch.

    The Reds flopped to relegation from the Championship last season, finishing bottom with just 30 points from 46 games.

    New boss Michael Duff had the players back in for pre-season on 6 June and their season will now finish exactly one week shy of a year since then.

    The delighted home support chant "Sheffield Wednesday, we're coming for you!"

    South Yorkshire is all set to decamp to the capital.

  14. 'Barnsley deserve Wembley'published at 22:06 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Phil Brown
    Former Bolton assistant manager on BBC Radio Manchester

    Bolton were banging on a door that wasn't going to be opened.

    Barnsley deserve to be going to Wembley, it has to be said. Bolton had them defending for their lives but they're strong-willed at Oakwell and one or two of their midfielders were very impressive.

    To a man, every one of Barnsley's players stepped up to the plate.

  15. Postpublished at 22:03 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    FT: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    Requests for fans not to run on the pitch have fallen on deaf ears.

    It all seems good-natured enough, lots of kids doing kneeslides, but the EFL has been very clear about this.

  16. BARNSLEY REACH THE LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF FINALpublished at 22:00 British Summer Time 19 May 2023
    Breaking

    Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Barnsley in play-off finalImage source, .

    It's all over at Oakwell and Barnsley have held on!

    Who's up for an all-South Yorkshire League One play-off final?

    A year on from relegation from the Championship, the Tykes are just 90 minutes away from a return to the second tier. They will meet Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley a week on Monday.

    Bolton's season - which included silverware in the Papa Johns Trophy - comes to an end.

  17. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Conor Bradley fouls the onrushing Luke Thomas and Barnsley have a free-kick in a commanding position in the Bolton half.

    A chance to do some timewasting. They're almost there.

  18. Postpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    Ian Woodcock
    BBC Sport at Oakwell

    Bolton look beaten.

    They've never really put Barnsley under sustained pressure this half.

    A game too far.

  19. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    James Norwood picks up the ball for Barnsley and runs it straight into the corner.

    Bolton prize the ball back and punt it upfield but can't do anything with it.

    This could be a frustrating end to Bolton's season.

  20. 'Barnsley don't want to get sucked in'published at 21:55 British Summer Time 19 May 2023

    Barnsley 1-0 Bolton (Agg 2-1)

    David Preece
    Former Barnsley keeper on BBC Radio Sheffield

    The danger of this for Barnsley now is only having one-and-a-half players up front, with Luke Thomas helping out when he can.

    You don't want to get sucked in because once balls go into the box, anything can happen - especially when Bolton have got Cameron Jerome and Ricardo Santos up there.

    Bolton need to turn this game into chaos and that's what they're trying to do. Barnsley are trying to keep disciplined and make sure they're in the right positions, but it's difficult.