League Play-Off

Budleigh Salterton
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Jools Beard took the kick off in the first half of the match. When the match had gone on for 3 minutes, Guy Key put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Alan Simms. 6 minutes into the match, Budleigh Salterton's goal looked a bit too open when John Thompson came free, but Alan Simms reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 9 minutes, John Thompson made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Budleigh Salterton's Alan Simms tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Alan Simms stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Andrew Whitehead's shot from short distance in the 20th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Piers Howarth during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Piers Howarth kicked well hit freekick during the 23rd minute of the match. The supporters of FC Onion booed when Budleigh Salterton was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 25 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jools Beard didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alan Simms made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from John Thompson in the 27th minute of play. Alan Simms took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andrew Whitehead, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 31 minutes into the match, Budleigh Salterton's goal looked a bit too open when John Thompson came free, but Alan Simms reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Andrew Whitehead fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 49th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alan Simms having to interfere. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Guy Key received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Alan Simms tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a little luck, Budleigh Salterton's Alan Simms got control of the ball when John Thompson tried to sneak it across the goal line. A collision led to Budleigh Salterton getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Peter Higgins hit a great ball. Guy Key blasted a shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Alan Simms having to make a save. After a rather tough play, Budleigh Salterton's Aaron Philpott got a free kick in the 71st minute. Jools Beard hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. FC Onion's Joey Gunn was substituted for Alfie Slater. Jools Beard kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. A collision led to Budleigh Salterton getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Aaron Philpott hit a great ball. In the 77th minute, Guy Key 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. FC Onion's John Thompson got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Andrew Whitehead in the 81st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Alan Simms prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Bobby Driver during the 85th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Bobby Driver kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. After 86 played minutes, Budleigh Salterton's Stu Spink shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Jacob Bond came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Budleigh Salterton reached it. In the 90th minute, FC Onion's Guy Key ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Alan Simms. Alan Simms yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-4. The audience thought a goal was coming when John Thompson got free with Alan Simms in the 94th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 97 minutes into the match, Budleigh Salterton's goalkeeper Alan Simms had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Andrew Whitehead. The Budleigh Salterton fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. FC Onion were clearly better and deserved to take the win.