Rotherham United dealt a significant blow to Blackpool's playoff aspirations with a dramatic 2-1 victory at New York Stadium on Friday, April 4, 2025. The match, which saw Joe Rafferty score a last-minute winner, marked Matt Hamshaw's second victory as Rotherham's manager after the dismissal of Steve Evans.
Rotherham took the lead in the 26th minute when captain Hakeem Odoffin found the back of the net following a close-range save by Blackpool's goalkeeper Harry Tyrer, who initially denied Mallik Wilks. The Millers looked to build on their advantage but faced a resilient Blackpool side determined to fight back.
Blackpool head coach Steve Bruce made a treble substitution at halftime, introducing fresh legs to invigorate his team. One of the substitutes, Jake Beesley, had a golden opportunity to equalize but squandered it by lashing the ball wide on a half-volley. Rotherham's keeper Cameron Dawson was then called into action to thwart efforts from Sonny Carey and Sammy Silvera, who both threatened the home side's lead.
Blackpool finally leveled the score in the 81st minute when Carey converted a penalty kick after James Husband was fouled by Rotherham's Liam Kelly. The momentum seemed to shift in favor of Blackpool, but a critical turning point occurred just moments later when Beesley received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men.
Taking advantage of the situation, Rotherham struck back in the 90th minute when Rafferty found himself at the back post, ready to snatch the points for his side. The late goal not only secured the victory for Rotherham but also intensified Blackpool's struggles in the playoff race.
Meanwhile, in another League One clash on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Crawley Town suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Stevenage, leaving them six points adrift of safety with just five games remaining. Bradley Ibrahim managed to equalize for Crawley after Harvey White's stunning free kick gave Stevenage the lead in the 20th minute.
Despite Crawley showing signs of improvement, they couldn't hold on for a draw. Jamie Reid restored Stevenage's lead in the 89th minute, and Daniel Kemp added a third in injury time to seal the victory. The loss was a bitter blow for Scott Lindsey's side, who had hoped to inch closer to safety.
"We had our chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal," Lindsey expressed in his post-match remarks. "It's frustrating to concede late like that, but we have to keep fighting until the end of the season. Every point counts now."
In the EFL League One standings, Wrexham continued to solidify their position with a convincing 3-0 victory over Burton Albion on the same day. Wrexham's Charlie Webster was sent off just 11 minutes into the match, which set the stage for the Red Dragons to capitalize. After a tense wait, they finally broke through in the 71st minute when Steven Fletcher converted a penalty following a foul on Sam Smith.
Smith then doubled the lead just four minutes later, and Jack Mariott capped off a stellar performance with a third goal, ensuring a comfortable win for Wrexham. With this victory, Wrexham is now six points clear of Wycombe Wanderers, who are also in the promotion hunt.
Wrexham's manager Phil Parkinson expressed his delight post-match, stating, "We showed great character today. The team worked hard, and we took our chances when they came. We are in a strong position now, but we cannot afford to get complacent with five games left in the season."
The battle for promotion is heating up as the season enters its final month. Teams across the Championship, League One, and League Two are racing against time to secure their spots in the playoffs or avoid relegation. This Saturday, April 5, 2025, saw seven EFL games broadcast live on Sky Sports+, showcasing the intensity of the ongoing battles.
In the Championship, Coventry City has emerged as a formidable contender since January, winning 10 of their last 12 games. Their recent form has propelled them into the playoff picture, while Sheffield United, Leeds United, and Burnley have all secured at least a playoff position. Burnley, in particular, is on an impressive unbeaten streak, aiming to match Reading's record of 33 games without defeat set in 2005/06.
Meanwhile, Luton Town is fighting hard to escape the relegation zone, having picked up 10 points in March. They are just three points shy of safety, while Leeds United has struggled recently, unable to capitalize on their chances.
West Bromwich Albion is also in a precarious position, having dropped crucial points in their recent matches. They need to secure victories to maintain their playoff hopes, especially with the pressure mounting from teams like Middlesbrough and Bristol City.
In League One, Reading is just a point behind Bolton as they vie for a playoff spot. Wycombe Wanderers, still in contention, is looking to put pressure on Wrexham, who have a favorable schedule ahead. The upcoming matches will be pivotal as teams jockey for position in the standings.
As the season reaches its climax, the stakes couldn't be higher for clubs across all divisions. Teams are battling not only for glory but also for their futures in professional football. With each match, the tension rises, and fans eagerly await to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling conclusion to the season.
