League Play-Off

NSW Fighters Park
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Dacosta Wilson started the match with the kick off. After 4 minutes, Marco Paull mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the NSW Fighters and the Gunderoo players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Gunderoo booed when NSW Fighters was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 5 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marco Paull didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bartholemew Gaffigan made a fantastic save in the 19th minute, when Marco Paull sent off a good shot on target. Bartholemew Gaffigan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Otto Jobson in the 20th minute of play. In the 23rd minute Otto Jobson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bartholemew Gaffigan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in NSW Fighters's zone, Brandon Hollingworth stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jarrett Connolly came out of the goal and Brandon Hollingworth tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Brandon Hollingworth struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Jarrett Connolly didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Gunderoo. After some fancy dribbling in the 28th minute, Lawrance Whatman managed to get in a good position for a shot. Gunderoo's supporters rose to their feet, but Lawrance Whatman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jarrett Connolly breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 29 played minutes Gunderoo got a freekick which was hit by Bjorn Mcjenkins. The long shot by Brye Aroege in the 30th minute really tested Bartholemew Gaffigan's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Jarrett Connolly made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Brandon Hollingworth in the 32nd minute of play. In the 34th minute, Otto Jobson reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Bartholemew Gaffigan. The goal made the score 2-0. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Otto Jobson in the 45th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Bartholemew Gaffigan saved Gunderoo from getting behind. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

The wind increased when Otto Jobson made the kick off in the second half. In the 56th match minute, NSW Fighters was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bradshaw Cridland to maneuver through the defense. Brandon Hollingworth received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Jarrett Connolly tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Bartholemew Gaffigan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marco Paull, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. Brandon Hollingworth's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 76thth minute, Jarrett Connolly skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Lawrence Hunter was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 77th minute. Gunderoo's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. In the 77th minute, Gunderoo's Lawrence Hunter ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Jarrett Connolly. Jarrett Connolly yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-1. In the 81st minute, Blade Macinnes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Brandon Hollingworth was extremely unlucky when he, in the 83rd minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. If Brandon Hollingworth had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jarrett Fraser received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Jarrett Connolly tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 91 minutes, Carlos Watts mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the NSW Fighters and the Gunderoo players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to NSW Fighters getting a freekick after 91 minutes play. Carlos Watts hit a great ball. In the 92nd minute, Bjorn Mcjenkins sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and NSW Fighters's Jarrett Connolly didn't even have to move. Gunderoo's supporters were dissatisfied at the end of the match because NSW Fighters had won, even though Gunderoo had held more of the ball.