Marred by controversy before a ball was even kicked, the 2022 National League Play off Final between Solihull Moors and Grimsby Town was truly one of those days in football.
It would be hard for both sides to top the previous year’s final which saw the Torquay United keeper equalise in the 96th minute against Hartlepool United.
Prior to kick off, there was widespread criticism from both sets of supporters aimed at the National League.
The criticism came after the cheapest ticket available to fans started at £40.
The League’s sponsor however, Vanarama, stepped in and gave the clubs £20,000 each to help supporters with the costs required to see their side at Wembley.
The Mariners Supporters Trust also chipped in, who fundraised for some 13,000 fans to make the trip down to London.
The game was televised on BT Sports 1 at the time after a recent television deal was struck between the broadcaster and the league, with Adam Summerton and Kevin Davies in the gantry.
Solihull would have been confident going into the affair and hoping to join Stockport in League 2, after beating The Mariners in their two previous meetings during the league campaign.
Striker Kyle Hudlin opened the scoring around the half-way mark, which proved to The Moors’ only goal of the game.
With some 20 minutes to go, John McAtee equalised.
The final period of the game saw no more goals, with both sides level and extra-time on the way.
Substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew changed the game with 10 minutes left, with what proved to be the winner and secure promotion for Grimsby Town.
The game ended with The Mariners coming out as 2-1 victors however and back in the Football League.
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