Crewe boss Lee Bell hailed his players after claiming “absolutely nobody” outside of their dressing room believed they could overcome Doncaster to reach the League Two play-off final.
The Railwaymen wiped out a 2-0 first-leg deficit courtesy of centre-back Mickey Demetriou’s 10th goal of the season and a James Maxwell own goal just past the quarter-hour mark at The Eco-Power Stadium.
After extra time failed to separate the two sides, on-loan Wycombe keeper Max Stryjek then decisively saved Hakeeb Adelakun’s penalty to clinch a 4-3 shoot-out triumph, having also denied Zain Westbrooke.
Demetriou also saw a spot-kick saved by home keeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala, but Courtney Baker-Richardson, Ryan Cooney, Lewis Leigh and Charlie Kirk were all successful from 12 yards.
Home trio Joe Ironside, George Miller and Owen Bailey also converted their attempts but it was of no consolation to a Doncaster team who had gone into the match unbeaten in 13 games, stretching back to March 2.
Bell said: “It was tremendous. Nobody – absolutely nobody – gave us a chance apart from the lads in our dressing room.
“Nobody even gave us a chance in the first leg, but I kept telling people not to count us out, because they haven’t got a clue about the group of people I have got.
“Some of the players were only 50 per cent fit but, when you bring the whole group together, I know they are a match for anybody in the league.
“It was a fantastic achievement and they were great scenes at the end and everybody thoroughly deserved it. We had a great backing and it was great to see them all come because it might have been easy for some to stay away after the first leg.
“We now have a massive task ahead at Wembley whether it’s Crawley or MK Dons, but we’ve got to take this all in and enjoy it first.”
Devastated Doncaster boss Grant McCann expressed his sympathy for a sell-out home crowd and hopes to repay them with a title-winning campaign next season.
“It’s the first time the club have filled the stadium in years and I’m gutted we couldn’t give them anything, because they kept with us right the way through the game and I feel like we have let them down,”
McCann said.
“I’m immensely proud of the players for how we turned the season around, because nobody would have given us a chance of getting into this position but, ultimately, we have failed and, as much as it hurts to say that, it’s the truth.
“We will be going to win the league next season so, if anybody thinks we can’t, they won’t be at the club.
“When their (Crewe) celebrations were going on, I opened the dressing room door so they could hear the noise, because they have to use that as motivation when they come back in the summer.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
- 1 TIPS - Liverpool VS Arsenal
- 2 Liverpool table fresh Marc Guehi bid as Reds hope £35m proposal will finally convince Crystal Palace to sell centre-back
- 3 OFFICIAL: Alejandro Garnacho joins Chelsea from Manchester United
- 4 TIPS - Pisa SC VS AS Roma
- 5 TIPS - Nagoya Grampus VS FC Tokyo
- 6 OFFICIAL: Sevilla sign former Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta
- 7 'We’re considering a swap' - AC Milan confirm talks over potential deal to send Mexico's Santiago Giménez to AS Roma for Artem Dovbyk
- 8 Should Manchester United transfer Bruno Fernandes away?
- 9 TIPS - Bologna FC 1909 VS Como 1907
- 10 Lucas Paqueta to leave West Ham! Aston Villa close in on £47m loan-to-buy deal to sign attacking midfielder