Gillesphey free-kick gives Charlton victory in play-off final
Orient's Kelman hit bar in fruitless search for equaliser
Charlton finished season fourth in League One, with Orient sixth
Addicks return to Championship after five seasons in third tier
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Image source, PA MediaSo, the Championship line-up is now complete for next season with Charlton's promotion today and Sheffield United's defeat yesterday.
Tomorrow we will know the make up of League One as AFC Wimbedon and Walsall face-off for the final place in the third tier.
We will have live coverage of that one from 14:00 (BST) tomorrow.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Charlton's Josh Edwards has been speaking to Sky Sports from inside the Addicks victorious dressing room:
"I came down here because I wanted to get as high as I possibly can go.
"For the first season this is unbelievable so I'm buzzing.
"We had a slow start to the season but I'm just buzzing with how it's turned out.
"We got put under pressure but we overcame it and now we're in the Champ."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Image source, Rex FeaturesCharlton Athletic captain Greg Docherty speaking to Sky Sports:
"It's unbelievable. We were written off a lot, we've had to go through a lot. At the start of the season we were a new team, we were gelling, it was up and down but from December onwards we've been so proud.
"We've won so many games, we've been so consistent, we've bounced back. This club deserves this and we've been able to deliver it. It won't sink in for a long, long time.
"There's been so many players that have signed here and they've wanted this but we've actually gone and done it. We've put the work in, the manager believed in it.
"He spoke to a lot of us in the summer when we signed and we all bought into the project, we believed in him and he believed in us. We've delivered on the biggest stage. Today showed how resilient we are. A clean sheet at Wembley, a clean sheet over three play-offs, unbelievable."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Paul Mortimer
Former Charlton midfielder on BBC Radio London
If you look back to the home defeat in December to Crawley on a Tuesday night there can't have been more than 7,000 people there. The Valley has been a horrible place to watch football over the last few years, and you can feel the place coming back to life.
The crowd on the final day were incredible against Burton and when the players walked out onto to pitch at The Valley and the fireworks went off, it was so noisy it was as if the whole place had been reawakened.
I hope this time Charlton harness this energy and have a real chance to cement themselves in the Championship.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Will Mannion speaking to Sky Sports:
"I've got no words, I'm speechless. I'm so proud of these lads.
"We were under the cosh a little bit second half.
"We pride ourselves on clean sheets and that's a big part of what's got us where we are today. That defensive side of us. It's fantastic, the togetherness.
"I knew when I signed it was a massive club. We wanted to get back to where we belong and we took a big step towards that. It's only up for the Addicks."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Image source, Rex FeaturesCharlton Athletic striker Matty Godden speaking to Sky Sports:
"Everyone wants to be a part of these moments and fortunately it was us today. We're going to enjoy tonight.
"I said to the lads and my family I'm not coming here and losing. I thought we deserved the win over the 90 minutes.
On Gillesphey's winner: "We know he's got that in his locker, he's got a wand of a left foot. No one really expects centre-halves to take the free-kicks from 20 yards out but we know with his quality he's fully capable of that.
"I've worked so hard throughout my career to have these moments and I've always believed in myself as a goalscorer. I set myself a target at the start of the season, I said to the gaffer 'I've taken a step down but I want to go back to the level that I've left' and we've achieved it in the first year."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Matt Lockwood
Former Leyton Orient defender on BBC Radio London
When you get this far into a season and you lose at this stage, it is so mentally draining.
To get yourself back up for the following season is hard, but Richie Wellens is not going to let these lads feel too disappointed for too long he is going to say to them, 'look we have been incredible this year and look how good we have been since the turn of 2025'.
If Leyton Orient can continue where they left off next season they will be alright.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Paul Mortimer
Former Charlton midfielder on BBC Radio London
Promotion changes the dynamics for a few players in the squad, with players that were hoping for Championship football either way next season, the likes of Thierry Small who might be staying now.
There will be work to do in the summer and Charlton seem like they are in a better place with the new ownership to stay up.
Charlton don't belong in the third tier and they need to re-establish themselves as a Championship club.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Image source, PA MediaWith that win today, Charlton Athletic make it four wins out of four in EFL play-off finals.
That takes them level with Peterborough United with their four victories and they are the only two sides with 100% records in finals.
For Leyton Orient that is a fourth defeat in a final in five attempts.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Matt Lockwood
Former Leyton Orient defender on BBC Radio London
Leyton Orient haven't got a big target man to stick on, they haven't got that different option.
So, they had to keep doing what they do and Orient were the best team in the second half, they created all the chances and they looked dangerous to a point where they got into the final third and looked threatening, but that final ball wasn't quite good enough.
The crosses were too close to the keeper, a couple of chances missed the target, but the biggest trick they missed was when Kayne Ramsey had cramp and they did not come down this left-hand side at all, just try and test him out.
Orient have missed a massive opportunity this afternoon.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Jobi McAnuff
Ex-Leyton Orient winger on Sky Sports.
The front boys who have been so good this season weren't able to find that bit of quality in and around the box, the crossing lacked productivity.
But this is a bigger picture for Orient, the club's in a great place.
Last year it was completely different and hopefully the future is very bright.
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And the other side of a play-off final...
Image source, ContributedOrient fan in despair
Anon
Plenty of others in East London will be sharing your despair this evening.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Image source, Rex FeaturesThere it is.
Jubilation as each player takes their turn raising the trophy. Many of them will be Championship players next season.
Euphoria indeed, Nathan.
#bbcefl, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Amazing day for the Addicks and the fans. Genuinely think Charlton were the better side, they were strong in the first half and got the goal. Orient just weren’t good enough to get through the Charlton defence in the second half. Roll on next season!
Phil, Charlton fan
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Image source, Rex FeaturesCharlton Athletic match-winner Macaulay Gillesphey speaking to Sky Sports:
"I fancied it as soon as it come up and when it went in, buzzing.
"A free-kick at Wembley to win, unbelievable.
"The squad's class. I'm sure the gaffer will make it even better next season.
"It's one big effort and we've done it."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
The walk up to the trophy presentation has begun with boss Nathan Jones leading the line.
Big hugs for him as his squad collect their medals.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Charlton Athletic
Image source, Rex FeaturesCharlton boss Nathan Jones speaking to Sky Sports:
"This isn't relief, it's euphoria.
"We've had to battle, we didn't play well today, we just defended really, really well but those are the principles we instilled and to win a game here, keep a clean sheet, I'm so happy.
"This is a good Leyton Orient side and they've hardly had a chance on goal and that's down to us.
"I'm so proud of this club, I took a risk dropping two divisions but I knew we could build something and this is the first step."
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Paul Mortimer
Former Charlton midfielder on BBC Radio London
I am rarely lost for words and today it was just a wonderful day for Charlton, and the best team clearly did not win - there is no disputing that.
Leyton Orient were the better team in the second half, but the foundation for Charlton was their defence and the way they defended. I'm sitting here and I'm trying to stay calm throughout the game as I know if Charlton defend like they can do, Orient are not scoring.
I feel for Orient - they were a good side, but it was always going to be about the first goal and Charlton got it.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Curtis Davies
Former Premier League defender on Sky Sports
Image source, Rex FeaturesCharlton deserved it today on the balance of how they tactically saw out this game.
Orient were a lot better in the second half, on the front foot a lot of the time, but Charlton were happy to soak it up.
They couldn't find that shot on target, the detail they really lacked today, but like yesterday it came down to the moments and the big moment came from Gillesphey.
FT: Charlton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Alex Hoad
BBC Sport at Wembley
Image source, Rex FeaturesIt wasn't particularly pretty, and it won't live long in the memory for many neutrals, but for Charlton fans this means everything - my right eardrum will attest.
Back to the second tier, a decent cash influx and even some London bragging rights, a pretty good day at the office.
As for Orient, I'm afraid this feels very much like the end of a short but wonderful chapter in the club's history, given they have relied so heavily on some wonderful recruitment in the loan market - with four of their starters today returning to their parent clubs now.
Nathan Jones has led Charlton Athletic to promotion to the Championship in his first full season in charge with the Addicks
Charlton Athletic beat Leyton Orient in an all-London play-off final at Wembley to win promotion to the Championship.
Macaulay Gillesphey's first-half free-kick was all there was to separate the two sides in the contest.
Striker Charlie Kelman hit the crossbar with a deflected shot as the O's chased the game, as Richie Wellens' side failed to find a way back into the tie.
Charlton saw out 11 minutes of nervy added time to move back up to the second tier after five seasons in League One, alongside champions Birmingham City and Wrexham.
Charlton won promotion to the Championship after five years in League One
Alan Curbishley's Addicks side won promotion to the Premier League with one of the greatest ever play-off finals in 1998, beating Sunderland on penalties after drawing 4-4.
This final will not be ed in the same way.
The game's big moment came after half an hour of largely forgettable football when former Charlton defender Rarmani Edmonds-Green, who moved to the O's in the winter transfer window, fouled Tyreece Campbell on the edge of the area.
With Alex Gilbert standing over the ball, Gillesphey stepped up to send a curling free-kick away from the dive of Josh Keeley, who could only get his fingertips to the ball before it nestled in the back of the net.
The O's goalkeeper had left a large space to his left for the Addicks defender to aim at, with the wall looking like an extra player was needed to provide enough cover.
Orient were much improved after the break as they attacked the end housing their fans, with Jack Currie deflecting a shot narrowly wide before Jordan Brown fired just over the bar.
Kelman came closest as his deflected effort from outside the box flipped up off the top of the bar.
A lengthy stoppage needed for referee Andrew Kitchen to resolve a technical issue with his video assistant referee (VAR) headset led to 11 minutes of added time.
Substitute Dan Happe's looping header looked to be Orient's final chance, as the ball looped up and into the grateful arms of Charlton keeper Will Mannion.
Leyton Orient had beaten Stockport County on penalties to reach the Wembley final
Wellens and his players stood and watched from the pitch as the Charlton players climbed the steps and claimed the League One play-off trophy.
A season where they have climbed from the relegation zone in November to the top six at the end of the season ended in heartbreak for the east Londoners.
They have earned their reputation as a big-game team, winning four knockout matches via penalty shootouts this season - including their play-off semi-final at Stockport County.
At Wembley they were slow to get going, with star striker Kelman having just six touches in a subdued first half.
Wellens itted afterwards he didn't feel the free-kick should have gone in, saying "everyone makes mistakes" without naming Keeley directly.
Orient put several balls into the box as they chased the game, but could not find the target man they needed to take the final to extra time and a fighting chance of reaching the second tier of English football for the first time since 1981-82.
Manager: Nathan Jones
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Richie Wellens
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Nathan Jones
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Richie Wellens
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
League One
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Since beating Wrexham over two legs in the 1988-89 fourth tier play-offs, Leyton Orient have lost their last three Football League play-off finals. This is their first since a penalty defeat against Rotherham United in League One in 2013-14.
Including the 1986-87 play-off final against Leeds which secured their top-flight survival, Charlton have won each of their three Football League play-off finals (also 1997-98 and 2018-19); the t-best 100% success rate in such finals, alongside Peterborough United.
This will be only the third Football League play-off final contested between two teams from London, after Crystal Palace beat West Ham United in 2003-04 and Fulham beat Brentford in 2019-20, both in the second tier.
Charlton won both of their regular season league matches against Leyton Orient, 1-0 at home and 2-1 away – seven teams have headed into a League One play-off final having done the double over their opponent and five have won promotion, though the most recent side lost (Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday in 2022-23).
Leyton Orient won their first two games at Wembley Stadium, beating Brentford and Southend in 1930 in the third division south. Since then, they’re winless in three at the stadium (D1 L2), with two of those being a Football League play-off final (0-1 v Scunthorpe in 1998-99, 2-2 v Rotherham in 2013-14, lost on penalties).
Charlton Athletic have won each of their last three major finals played at Wembley Stadium, a run starting with the 1947 FA Cup final (1-0 vs Burnley) and continuing thanks to play-off final wins over Sunderland in the second tier in 1997-98 (7-6 on pens) and in the third tier in 2018-19 (2-1).
Among Football League sides this season, only Birmingham City (111), Peterborough United (98) and Leeds United (96) have scored more goals across all competitions than Leyton Orient (94). This is the O’s most goals scored in an EFL campaign since 2013-14 when they were League One play-off final runners-up (104).
Each of Charlton’s three league goals against Leyton Orient this season came after the 90th minute, with no team scoring more stoppage time goals than the Addicks in the Football League this campaign (10 – level with Leeds). Meanwhile, the O’s scored twice in stoppage time in a 2-0 EFL Trophy win over Charlton in December this season.
Including the play-offs, only Leyton Orient’s Charlie Kelman (23) has scored more League One goals this season than Charlton Athletic’s Matty Godden (19); only once before has Godden scored 20 goals in an EFL campaign, doing so in 2016-17 for Stevenage in League Two.
Only Ryan Barnett (59) and Ben Wiles (55) have created more chances from open play than Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley (54) in League One this season, with the Spurs loanee the only player to 10 assists in the competition this term.Â
