Jack Bridge savours his season saving goal for Southend United
SOUTHEND United winger Jack Bridge labelled his season saving strike against Forest Green Rovers as the best goal of his career.
York City owner has ‘admired’ out of contract Chesterfield midfielder for ‘quite some time’
The Minstermen lost 3-0 at home to Oldham Athletic in the National League play-off semi-final on Tuesday night. It was a disappointing evening for York after finishing second in the table on an incredible 96 points. Oldham will contest the final at Wembley against Southend United, who beat Forest Green Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra-time.
Banks and Ash Palmer, who are both out of contract this summer, were at the York game, with Banks spotted on camera with Oldham manager Micky Mellon at full-time. That footage started the rumour mill to spin, but it appears there is much more chance of him joining York than the Latics if he was to leave Chesterfield.
Uggla told BBC Radio York: “I like Ollie Banks a lot, I think he is a top player. I think he is one who has a bit more nuance than maybe we have got and I think anyone in our league would be very interested in someone like him. Banks is someone we have admired for quite some time.”
Uggla, who said he did not know as much about Palmer, gave another hint that Banks might be of interest to them.
He continued: “There are a lot of targets out there and lots of options. I think we probably need a bit more bite in midfield and more of a battler. I think there are lots of options out there.”
Speaking generally about transfers, he added: “I think I have spent the last month talking to people about how much it is going to cost, what does it look like, putting together lists and it didn’t really matter which division we were going to be in because anyone we recruit now has to come through the divisions with us because we are not going to be content with just existing in the National League.”
Chesterfield are set to announce their retained list at some point this week.
Oldham Athletic will face Southend United in Wembley final
Latics’ opponents were decided by a penalty shoot-out, after the Shrimpers’ semi-final at Forest Green Rovers finished 2-2 after extra time.
Following a goalless first half, Southend took the lead in the 54th minute, but Ben Goodliffe’s opener was cancelled out by Ryan Inniss just after the hour.
Forest Green, who finished in third place – four places and 15 points ahead of Southend – went in front in the fourth minute of extra time through Emmanuel Osadebe and the hosts looked to be heading to Wembley. But Jack Bridge equalised in the 116th minute to force penalties.
Southend missed their first but scored the rest, and with Forest Green missing two out of four it was Kevin Maher’s men who booked their place in the final at Wembley.
Tickets for the National League play-off final are due to go on sale today.
