League Play-Off

Ashby de la Zouch
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Cláudio Nascimento in the 3rd minute of play forced Sagrada Esperança's goalkeeper David Akwa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 7 minutes into the game, Miguel Gonçalves was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sagrada Esperança's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Hedge End FC the free kick. Miguel Gonçalves hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Zé Pedrosa in the 14th minute of play forced Sagrada Esperança's goalkeeper David Akwa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 26th match minute, Hedge End FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alda Roma to maneuver through the defense. Tozé Varanda struck a weak shot in the 28th minute. Hélio Nascimento didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sagrada Esperança. 29 minutes into the match, Luís Areosa dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Hélio Nascimento, 1-1. David Akwa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zé Pedrosa in the 34th minute of play. 36 minutes into the match, Sagrada Esperança's Tozé Varanda sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Hélio Nascimento narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Luís Malheiro kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. A hard shot 38 in the game by Tozé Varanda from a close distance when the talented Hélio Nascimento managed to make a qualified save. Hedge End FC's players were relieved. Hector Sá charged in rather forcefully in the 39th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Hector Sá the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Hedge End FC's Hector Sá got a free kick in the 39th minute. In the 42nd minute Sagrada Esperança were awarded a corner. Henrique Regalado went to the cornerflag to take it. João Carlos Chafes was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. A collision led to Hedge End FC getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Luís Malheiro hit a great ball. In the 47thth minute of the game Cláudio Nascimento who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Sagrada Esperança's David Akwa was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball.

In the 55th minute, Cláudio Nascimento 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. Luís Areosa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Luís Areosa, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 67 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Hélio Nascimento was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. In the 71st minute, Henrique Regalado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Hélio Nascimento made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luís Areosa in the 75th minute of play. If Tozé Varanda had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Hedge End FC getting a freekick after 79 minutes play. Luís Malheiro hit a great ball. After having played for 80 minutes, Tozé Varanda managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Sagrada Esperança's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tozé Varanda was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When the match clock showed 85 minutes, the score became 2-1 when Tozé Varanda sped through Hedge End FC's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Hélio Nascimento. In the 88th play minute Cláudio Nascimento came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised David Akwa. 2-2. Sagrada Esperança's David Akwa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zé Pedrosa in the 92nd minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Luís Areosa in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hélio Nascimento prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Hedge End FC's Hector Sá got his second yellow card of the match in the 95th minute. The referee ordered Hector Sá off the ground. Hector Sá kicked well hit freekick during the 96th minute of the match. Tozé Varanda fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 97th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hélio Nascimento having to interfere. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.