League Play-Off

Newmarket Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Candrasman Pal kicked off to start the match. In the 3rd minute of the match Kuldip Pant sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jay Akhtar skillfully saved the ball. The supporters of Newmarket United booed when ASTRAL UNITED FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Asvaketu Khattri didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Kamarupa Thind during the 9th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 11 minutes into the match, Krishan Bajaj had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Asvatyama Choudhary. Newmarket United's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Krishan Bajaj was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Asvattha Vadhwa's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 14thth minute, Jay Akhtar skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 15th minute Bhabesa Hegde suffered a thigh injury and had to be helped off the field. In the 16th minute, Arjana Dube hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Krishan Bajaj had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Candrasman Pal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Asvatyama Choudhary tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Krishan Bajaj recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Jay Akhtar stood somewhat misplaced when Asvattha Vadhwa came free in front of goal and shot 1-1 to the left of him in the 25 minute. Asvatyama Choudhary showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Candrasman Pal in the 28th minute of the match. If Krishan Bajaj had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 30th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jay Akhtar made a fantastic save in the 33rd minute, when Asvattha Vadhwa sent off a good shot on target. Asvatyama Choudhary showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Candrasman Pal, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. Candrasman Pal sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 38th minute, Candrasman Pal got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Jay Akhtar made an important save on a dangerous shot by Asvattha Vadhwa in the 41st minute. If Asvattha Vadhwa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Asvattha Vadhwa made a kick off. In the 53rd minute Newmarket United were awarded a corner. Dhanavanta Randhawa went to the cornerflag to take it. Dhanavanta Randhawa made a great header on Newmarket United's corner, it was just that ASTRAL UNITED FC's Jay Akhtar managed to reach the ball for a save. After a rather tough play, Newmarket United's Dhanavanta Randhawa got a free kick in the 61st minute. Krishan Bajaj might have been able to make a better finish in the 67th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Asvatyama Choudhary. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Krishan Bajaj ran back to his position shaking his head. Asvatyama Choudhary showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Candrasman Pal in the 67th minute of the match. Krishan Bajaj fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Asvatyama Choudhary having to interfere. Kuldip Pant charged in rather forcefully in the 70th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Kuldip Pant the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Newmarket United's Kuldip Pant got a free kick in the 70th minute. 72 minutes into the match, Newmarket United's goalkeeper Asvatyama Choudhary had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Krishan Bajaj. Krishan Bajaj sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Candrasman Pal took the ball and in the 78 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Asvatyama Choudhary. Asvatyama Choudhary dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Candrasman Pal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 81st minute. Asvatyama Choudhary tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Newmarket United's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Candrasman Pal 83 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-4. Asvattha Vadhwa's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jay Akhtar read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 87th minute of play. If Asvattha Vadhwa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Newmarket United's Asvattha Vadhwa in the 91st minute got a chance for a shot 91st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye ASTRAL UNITED FC's goalie prevented a goal. Jagan Chaturvedi charged in rather forcefully in the 93rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jagan Chaturvedi the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Newmarket United getting a freekick after 93 minutes play. Jagan Chaturvedi hit a great ball. In the 96th minute Candrasman Pal shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Asvatyama Choudhary saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The ASTRAL UNITED FC players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.