Notts County 3-0 Salford City: EFL League Two Playoff Final Report & Player Ratings
Notts County 3-0 Salford City: EFL League Two Playoff Final Report & Player Ratings
Bank Holiday Monday marked the end of the 2025/26 EFL Playoffs, as two teams were looking to join Hull City and Bolton Wanderers in achieving promotion at the home of English football.
On the day Notts County were victorious in the League Two Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium which has seen them promoted to League One for the first time in 11 years.
From the first minute it was clear that Notts County were on a promotion mission and it only took them 32 minutes to take the lead through Alassana Jatta. Jodi Jones managed to pick out the striker with a long ball from inside his own half which was pounced upon and slid under the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
"That's what they craved, that's what they dreamt of'!" 🙌
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 25, 2026
Notts County take the lead thanks to Alassana Jatta 🤩 pic.twitter.com/AohjVG019I
The Magpies didn’t stop there though as on the brink of half time Lucas Ness doubled their lead. It came from a long free kick that was redirected back into the box by his centre-back partner Rodney McDonald, and Ness leaped above everyone to send a powerful header beyond Matthew Young in the Salford goal.
A towering header from Lucas Ness doubles Notts County’s lead 💪 pic.twitter.com/TjfuH7XF5K
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 25, 2026
Despite Salford starting the second half reasonably well and creating some good chances, they couldn’t find a way back into the game and soon found themselves out of reach when Notts County made it three after 70 minutes. This time it was the provider for the first, Jodi Jones, who latched onto a loose ball in the box to slide it into the bottom right corner and send his team to the third division of English football.
"Notts County surely going up" 📈
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 25, 2026
Jodi Jones makes it 3-0 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JwMQ0jy5C8
Full Time: Notts County 3-0 Salford City
Player Ratings
Notts County Player Ratings
Belshaw (GK): 7
Ness: 8
McDonald: 9
Bedeau: 7
Tsaroulla: 7
Norburn: 8
Robertson: 7
Jones: 9
Iorpenda: 8
Luker: 7
Jatta: 8
Salford City Player Ratings
Young (GK): 4
Mnoga: 4
Oluwo: 5
Cooper: 4
Garbutt: 4
Graydon: 5
Butcher: 5
Austerfield: 6
Longelo: 6
Cesay: 4
Udoh: 5
Player Of The Match: Jodi Jones
Despite having a rather injury ridden career, Jodi Jones established himself in Notts County history with his performance in the game. Not only did the Malta international create the opener, but he also put the game to bed with a calm finish late on in the second half to secure a big Wembley win for the Magpies.
Bad Day At The Office: Matthew Young
This will have slightly tarnished what has been a fantastic breakout period in the career of Matthew Young. The Sunderland loanee has been fantastic for Salford this season, however today wasn’t to be the day for him as he conceded three goals which only combined together had an xG of 1.05. However, for a young keeper he certainly has time to bounce back and make some fantastic memories in the sport.
Harry Pascoe 
Jake Brown 
