Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens hailed his team as outstanding after they survived a penalty shootout to reach the Sky Bet League One play-off final.
The Londoners prevailed 4-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing semi-final with Stockport ended 3-3 on aggregate following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park on Wednesday.
Orient, who will now play Charlton or Wycombe at Wembley, are potentially just one game away from returning to the second tier for the first time since 1982.
Wellens said: “We’ve been absolutely outstanding. We had to give a little bit of everything.
WOW!#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/9QnOJJJQn3
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 14, 2025
“Our play in the first 15 minutes was very good, but there were mixed emotions because we were a bit naive and Stockport were better at times. We didn’t play well on the counter.
“But they didn’t beat us over two legs and it was our 60th game. Only Champions League teams play 60 games.
“I think if you come here, play an extra 30 minutes away from home, and have to take penalties at their end – I think ultimately we deserve to get where we’ve got.”
Orient qualified for the play-offs in sixth spot after a late charge that saw them win their last six matches of the regular season.
Wellens said: “It’s not just the last six games – in the last 30 games of the regular season, no one has got more points than us, other than Birmingham. This is not a fluke.
“This club nearly went out of business six, seven years ago. When I came in, we were 20th in League Two.
“Now we’re one game away from an unbelievable level for this football club.”
Our Gaffer ❤️
Hear from a jubilant Richie Wellens (featuring Matt Porter) following this evening''s memorable night in Stockport.#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/H6zxs7xVwu
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 14, 2025
Orient led after a third-minute strike from Ollie O’Neill but Stockport deservedly levelled through Isaac Olaofe and spurned several chances in normal time and extra time to win the tie.
Manager Dave Challinor said: “We’re obviously disappointed. That was always going to be the case unless we achieved the ultimate prize for us.
“I’m super proud of where we got to and what we’ve done.
“We probably, for the first 15 minutes, looked a little a little bit edgy but we managed to get through that period.
“We had two opportunities to have our moment and haven’t taken them, and once it goes to penalties – I wouldn’t say anything can happen because I believed in the work we’ve done over the past two or three weeks would give us the best chance – unfortunately it was not to be for us.
“But we have to take the positives. It is a case of our season being over but we’ll move on.”
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a tragic car accident in Spain along with his brother.Footballer involved in crash in SpainHis brother Andre also died in collisionLiverpool striker had got married two weeks earlierWHAT HAPPENED?According to Marca, Jota and his brother Andre, also a professional footballer, both died when the vehicle they were travelling in came off the road in the provinc...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres & Sesko Do I join them? Chelsenal Dr. Tomiyasu & Dr. Diaby One of the best pictures at the Club World Cup 2025.. Joao Pedro is officially a Chelsea player. One club's trash is another club's treasurePlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, thefootballarenaa, BleacherReportFootball)...
As reported by The Independant, Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m (€60m) for 20-year-old Malick Fofana who is being targeted by several Premier League sides who feel that the youngster can bolster their attack. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Nottingham Forest had agree a deal with Lyon earlier this week but are yet to convince the player of a move due to interest from o...
The value of the upcoming third Manchester United bid for Bryan Mbeumo has been revealed, and the club are optimistic the improved terms they'll put forward will satisfy Brentford, according to reports.Man Utd are desperate to sign Mbeumo in time for the start of pre-season training on July 7. That is just a few days away and the Red Devils will have no issues finalising personal terms with the le...
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing wantaway RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba - but will likely have to tussle for him.The Reds are ramping up their search for a centre-back after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million.Lukeba, 22, has established a strong reputation over the past few seasons at Lyon and Leipzig and earned himself a senior France cap. But the 6...
Atletico prepare a major bid for Spurs' RomeroAtletico Madrid are planning a formal offer for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, according to AS. The Spanish club is expected to table a proposal worth €55 million upfront, with an additional €15 million tied to performance-based clauses.Diego Simeone is reportedly eager to bring the Argentina international to the Wanda Metro...
Barcelona make Marc Casado transfer decision amid Chelsea interestBarcelona have reportedly set their asking price for midfielder Marc Casado as Premier League side Chelsea and La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid circle.The 21-year-old could be set to leave Barcelona this summer as they seek to ease their ongoing issues with FFP and offer Nico Williams guarantees he could be registered.According to Spa...
FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-LEVERKUSEN-TEN HAGBayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes wants to use funds from Florian Wirtz’s mega sale to create a title-winning team.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen want to use the £116 million ($158m) generated from Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool to fund potential player recruitment and build a side that would fight for major accolades and challenge Bunde...
Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga EA SportsBayern Munich are looking to pounce on the opportunity to lure Nico Williams to Bundesliga, amid lack of registration guarantees from Barcelona.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Sky Sports of Germany, Bayern Munich are intensifying their pursuit of Nico Williams, aiming to capitalise on the winger’s hesitation over a move to Barcelona. The Bavar...
It's semifinal time in the Concacaf Gold Cup for the host country!Enjoy the play-by-play from Wednesday's game: United States versus Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis.Jump to: Gold Cup home page | Liveblog...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 6 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 9 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 10 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike