Southend United v Wealdstone: one more chance to leave Wembley smiling

Here we go again. Wembley. A sea of Southend scarves, that walk towards the arch, and all those impossible little conversations where everybody pretends they are calm. I am excited, of course I am. But after what happened against Oldham last year and the way our play-off hopes ended at Scunthorpe, there is a part of me that will not relax until we see how this one finishes.

On Sunday, Southend United face Wealdstone in the FA Trophy final. It is not the return to the Football League we dreamed about, and I am not going to pretend the defeat at Scunthorpe has suddenly stopped hurting. But there is a genuine trophy to win and a chance to send thousands of Shrimpers home with a memory that will last for years. You do not turn your nose up at a Wembley final. You throw everything you have at it.

I want to enjoy the journey, the noise and the sight of our club on that stage. Most of all, I want Southend to play like a team determined to make the day mean something. We have been so close to wonderful moments and gone home wondering what might have been. Surely we have earned a different conversation for once.

We have been here before. Let’s make the ending different.

It is impossible to look at Wembley without thinking about the National League play-off final against Oldham a year ago. That was a day when so many of us travelled with promotion in our heads and came home trying to find the words for disappointment. The place itself is magnificent; it is the journey back after losing that nobody wants to repeat.

This time the prize is different. There is no league place attached to the result, but lifting the FA Trophy would still matter enormously. Silverware, a day that belongs to Southend supporters, and the simple joy of seeing players in our colours celebrate rather than console one another. For a club that has spent too much of its recent history fighting battles away from the pitch, that would be special in its own right.

Kevin Maher and his players will feel the pressure. Good. Finals are supposed to matter. I just hope they carry it as motivation rather than letting it turn their football cautious. We have 90 minutes to go after the trophy, and if it is still level there is no extra time: we go straight to penalties. It could all be decided by one moment of composure.

Wealdstone are not here to make up the numbers

We have seen enough of Wealdstone this season to know how foolish it would be to treat them as a convenient opponent. They beat us in the FA Cup, and although we finished the league campaign with a 2–1 win against them at Roots Hall, that match was a reminder of how quickly a comfortable-looking afternoon can become uncomfortable. Wembley is a fresh game. Our league position will not score a goal for us.

Wealdstone’s route to the final should be respected as well. Beating Forest Green Rovers 3–0 away from home was no small achievement. Kidderminster took them to penalties, but their goalkeeper Dante Baptiste made the decisive save. Then Micah Obiero produced a dramatic late winner against Marine in the semi-final. You do not reach Wembley with that kind of run by accident.

And while Southend’s play-off disappointment is recent, Wealdstone arrive with a huge occasion of their own to embrace. They have supporters who have waited a very long time for a day like this. We will not be the only ones with nerves, hopes and flags on Sunday.

Opposition player to watch: Micah Obiero

Obiero is the name I keep coming back to. He gave us a warning at Roots Hall in April with a fine curling finish, and he has a habit of making big moments count in this competition. His late chip against Marine did not just win a semi-final; it sent a whole club to Wembley. Give him space around the area and he is capable of hurting us.

I would also keep an eye on Sean Adarkwa’s movement when Wealdstone break. If we commit bodies forward, our centre-halves must be ready for the ball into the space behind them. We cannot spend all week talking about attacking Wembley and forget that a single loose pass can turn the afternoon upside down.

The important thing is not to become terrified of those threats. Respect them, concentrate, defend properly and make Wealdstone deal with what Southend can do at the other end. It is a final, not an invitation to spend the afternoon waiting for something to go wrong.

Five wins, and none of them came for free

Our cup run has had a bit of everything. Truro City at home was the comfortable start. Bath City, Chatham Town and Horsham each required us to do the job away from Roots Hall. Then came Southport in the semi-final, where we had to recover from going behind before booking our place at Wembley.

That fightback is worth remembering after Scunthorpe. Southend have shown this season that they can respond to trouble. They have also shown, at times, that they can make life needlessly difficult for themselves. The challenge on Sunday is to bring the former and leave the latter behind.

The path to Wembley is set out below, but tables only tell you the results. They cannot show the relief when a difficult away tie is finally over, or the feeling when a semi-final turns in your favour and everyone realises that the big day is actually happening. Those are the moments that make a cup run. Now we have one more result to find.

The team I would like to see

There is a genuine selection problem for Maher. Harry Taylor’s late dismissal at Scunthorpe means he is suspended, and Nathan Ralph’s fitness matters enormously to the way we can set up defensively. I would love to have Ralph’s experience on the pitch if he is ready, but nobody should confuse a predicted XI with confirmed team news.

My provisional eleven would be Collin Andeng-Ndi; Gus Scott-Morriss, Ben Goodliffe, Nathan Ralph, Joe Gubbins and Jack Bridge; Keenan Appiah-Forson, James Morton and Oli Coker; Harry Cardwell and Andy Dallas. Ralph’s inclusion depends on his fitness, and the balance may need to change once Maher knows exactly who is available. There are arguments for a different attacking combination too.

Charley Kendall has a case for more than a cameo, especially after the questions left by the Scunthorpe game. Leon Chambers-Parillon offers a more direct way to run at a defence. We have options, which is a good problem to have; what matters is using them early enough to make a difference if the match calls for it.

Dallas has scored regularly this season and does not need much encouragement to shoot. Cardwell can give defenders a difficult afternoon, but neither should have to chase hopeful balls with everybody else standing twenty yards behind. We need runners near them, a midfield that is actually involved and the confidence to play forward with purpose instead of simply playing long.

Three things I want to see at Wembley

Start as though we belong there

No easing ourselves into it while the other side gets comfortable. No cheap turnover in a dangerous area while we are still admiring the surroundings. We know painfully well what an early goal against can do to a knockout match. Southend should make Wealdstone answer questions from the first whistle.

Use the width and keep the midfield in the game

Scott-Morriss has become a remarkable goal threat from a position where most clubs would be delighted with a handful of assists. Bridge can help us create different angles. With Morton, Appiah-Forson and Oli Coker involved, there is enough football in this side to move an opponent around. It needs to be visible on Sunday. If we make ourselves easy to defend against, we cannot complain when the chances dry up.

Be ready for a long, tense afternoon

Wealdstone will have spells. They might score first. We might have to wait patiently for an opening. The important thing is that we do not panic, lose our shape or forget what worked to get us here. And if we need the bench, use it while there is still time to change the game. A final is no place for stubbornness.

If you are going, travel safely, look after the people around you and enjoy every minute of the occasion. If you are watching from home or following on the radio, you are every bit a part of it. One last match, one trophy to win. Come on you Shrimpers.

Our route to Wembley

Wealdstone’s route

Cheshunt (2–1), Dagenham & Redbridge (1–0), Forest Green Rovers (3–0), Kidderminster Harriers (1–1, won on penalties), Marine (1–0).

Matchday information

Fixture: Southend United v Wealdstone, Isuzu FA Trophy final. When: Sunday 17 May 2026, 4.30pm BST. Where: Wembley Stadium.

Television: TNT Sports 4 and HBO Max. The FA Vase final between AFC Stoneham and Cockfosters starts at 12.30pm, on TNT Sports 5 and HBO Max. Non-League Finals Day tickets cover both games.

Getting there

For this Sunday, c2c’s published plan is for services to Liverpool Street from Shoeburyness via Basildon and via Rainham, with an Upminster–Grays shuttle. Greater Anglia has also announced longer trains from Southend Victoria. Allow extra time for your onward journey to Wembley and check your train before setting off.

If you have booked a Shrimpers Trust coach, use the departure and boarding instructions on your booking confirmation. Keep that confirmation ready and give yourself time to reach your pick-up point.

Before you leave home

Have your match ticket ready, check your assigned entrance and read Wembley’s event guidance on bags and permitted items. Check any pre-match venue booking separately rather than assuming your match ticket guarantees entry.

This is the preview for 17 May 2026. Matchday and travel details relate to that date.