League Play-Off

Hadleigh
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Lance Beard made the kick off and thus started the match. 3 minutes into the match, Hadleigh FC's goal looked a bit too open when John Blackburn came free, but Timothy Sills reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Lance Beard had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Ricky Sparkes came up free with the goalie in the 7th minute, the Hadleigh FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Ricky Sparkes couldn't finish the play. Robert Bamford's late challenge caught a Hadleigh FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Robert Bamford helped the player get up and apologised. Thom Mawson was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 12th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Wayne Hanley. John Blackburn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Timothy Sills having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Polzeath United's zone, Ronny Panther stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thom Mawson came out of the goal and Ronny Panther tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ronny Panther could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Thom Mawson made a huge save. Ricky Sparkes blasted a shot towards the goal in the 23rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Thom Mawson having to make a save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ronny Panther in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Thom Mawson saved Polzeath United from getting behind. Nat Grantham hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Polzeath United's zone, Ricky Sparkes stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thom Mawson came out of the goal and Ricky Sparkes tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 41st minute, Ronny Panther managed to get in a good position for a shot. Hadleigh FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Ronny Panther was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Thom Mawson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Ricky Sparkes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Thom Mawson having to interfere. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ronny Panther to make the kick off. Phillip Waite hit a great freekick 52 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ronny Panther in the 58th minute of play forced Polzeath United's goalkeeper Thom Mawson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ricky Sparkes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 61st minute. Thom Mawson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 63rd match minute, Hadleigh FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sidney Basham to maneuver through the defense. Deon Kitchen kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. 69 minutes into the match, Polzeath United's goal looked a bit too open when Ricky Sparkes came free, but Thom Mawson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thom Mawson didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Sidney Basham went, in the 72nd minute, to the upper right corner, 2-0 was the resulting score. Ronny Panther spun around in front of the goal 76 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of Polzeath United's goal. The supporters of Polzeath United booed when Hadleigh FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 78 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sidney Basham didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thom Mawson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ricky Sparkes in the 81st minute of the match. Ronny Panther sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sam Astridge kicked well hit freekick during the 89th minute of the match. Hadleigh FC's Timothy Sills proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 90th minute of the match, managed to save Hadleigh FC from getting a goal against them. Carl Henman kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. 94 minutes into the game, Deon Kitchen was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Polzeath United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Hadleigh FC the free kick. In the 94th match minute, Polzeath United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Deon Kitchen to maneuver through the defense. If Ricky Sparkes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Hadleigh FC fully deserved thier win.