Southend and Wealdstone tee up Wembley date in FA Trophy

Southend United manager Kevin Maher was delighted for all associated with the club as they secured their place in the FA Trophy final at Wembley in May by coming from behind to see off Southport 3-1 at Haig Avenue.

It is the second consecutive season that Southend will be visiting Wembley, having suffered National League promotion final extra-time heartache at the hands of Oldham Athletic last June, a year after the protracted takeover of the club was completed.

And Maher is pleased that his players have earned a second chance of tasting success at the national stadium having overcome a potential upset.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time after Chris Sze had opened the scoring for Southport, Southend responded quickly through Charley Kendall and Jack Bridge. before Kendall netted again in the closing stages.

"I'm delighted for the football club and for everyone who has worked so hard in difficult times," Maher, whose side are currently in the final National League play-off spot with eight games left, told BBC Essex.

"These are the moments you want as a football club, to go to Wembley and enjoy it.

"I want to win trophies. I'm delighted that in the second half we've gone and won the game. These are special moments for the fans and the players. There have been tough times for the fans.

"I have wanted more from this season. I wanted more points - we should have had more points, but I do know we're getting there. We have got more to do. We put this to bed and we go into Tuesday night [against Yeovil Town] and we have more to achieve this season.

"We are growing and we've got more to go. Now, everyone who has played a part has a trip to Wembley to look forward to. I'm pleased for so many people who have worked so hard. The owners who bought and saved the club now get to go to Wembley again. They need it, deserve it. I want to win it."

Southend will face fellow National League outfit Wealdstone in the final, after they saw off Southport's Merseyside counterparts Marine 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale.

It was in dramatic fashion, too - striker Micah Obiero scored the only goal of the game deep into second-half stoppage time when he brought down goalkeeper Dante Baptiste's goal-kick and beat Jack McIntyre in the visiting goal.

The occasion also prompted a record attendance at Grosvenor Vale for Wealdstone, who booked their place at Wembley in front of 4,000 supporters.

"I'm disappointed in the way we lost the game," Marine boss Bobby Grant told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I'd be lying if I stood here and said I wasn't.

"We've missed one long ball all game, and their striker has put in an unbelievable finish. It's a great goal, and to win it in the 93rd minute...fair play to him. You've got to give credit where it's due.

"For my group of players, who have been unbelievable, I thought we should have won the game. We'll learn from it, but there'll be plenty more moments like this if we can keep this group of players together. We'll have a right go in the league now."