League Play-Off

Hounslow Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Teddy Sheene got the match started through his kick off. In the 3rd minute Teddy Sheene shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dean Paterson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bryan Dowrick's late challenge caught a Middlesbrough F.C's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bryan Dowrick helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Cambridge City getting a freekick after 5 minutes play. Bryan Dowrick hit a great ball. Dean Paterson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Crispin Weston in the 7th minute of play. Peter Rice sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jeffrey Gilroy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Will Rooney had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Danny Pitman during the 18th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Middlesbrough F.C booed when Cambridge City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Danny Pitman didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dean Paterson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Crispin Weston, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 20th minute, Cambridge City's Danny Pitman seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Danny Pitman the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Cambridge City protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Danny Pitman had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. In a very dangerous position, a player in Cambridge City fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 20th minute. Penalty! Darren Fearns sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dean Paterson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Crispin Weston in the 29th minute of the match. Darren Fearns fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 30th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Steve Townsley having to interfere. The Middlesbrough F.C fans' excitement grew in the 35th match minute when Middlesbrough F.C's Teddy Sheene looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Dean Paterson came out of the goal in the 47th minute to try and stop a shot by Middlesbrough F.C's Jude Stayton. But to his dismay, Jude Stayton quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. After the first half Middlesbrough F.C were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Will Rooney was the one to do the kick off. Teddy Sheene sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Will Rooney fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Steve Townsley having to interfere. In the 74th match minute, Cambridge City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Peter Rice to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 75th minute, Vincent Edison managed to get in a good position for a shot. Middlesbrough F.C's supporters rose to their feet, but Vincent Edison was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dean Paterson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Cambridge City's Darren Fearns got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Dean Paterson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Teddy Sheene in the 83rd minute of play. Steve Townsley showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Will Rooney in the 84th minute of the match. After having played for 88 minutes, Darren Fearns managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cambridge City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Darren Fearns was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Will Rooney sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 93rd match minute, Middlesbrough F.C was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dean Taggart to maneuver through the defense. Chants of Middlesbrough F.C echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Cambridge City had held the ball for most of the match.