League Play-Off

Staines Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Victor Dickens kicked off to start the match. A sloppy throw-in by Lenny Joynes in the 5th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Gillingham Town fc's Thomas Hill. With his leg Bart Hurst managed to avoid a goal in the 6thth minute, when Gillingham Town fc's Sammy Tanner fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Tristan Blake sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sammy Tanner might have been able to make a better finish in the 21st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Bart Hurst. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Sammy Tanner ran back to his position shaking his head. 22 minutes into the game, Tristan Blake was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Lovedean FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Gillingham Town fc the free kick. Stewart Downes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Victor Dickens, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. Stewart Downes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tristan Blake, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sammy Tanner 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. The audience was convinced that Sammy Tanner's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Bart Hurst was relentless in the 38th minute of the game. Sammy Tanners short, quick shot in the 39thth minute got Bart Hurst to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Sammy Tanner stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Larry Chilton's late challenge caught a Lovedean FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Larry Chilton helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Gillingham Town fc's Larry Chilton got a free kick in the 52nd minute. Freddy Barkley might have been able to make a better finish in the 53rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Stewart Downes. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Freddy Barkley ran back to his position shaking his head. Stewart Downes didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 55th minute, which inside left pole to 0-2. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Freddy Barkley during the 59th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Lovedean FC getting a freekick after 59 minutes play. Freddy Barkley hit a great ball. Tristan Blake could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 65th minute of the match, but Stewart Downes made a huge save. Sammy Tanner sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Stewart Downes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gavin Bartrup, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 70 minutes of play, Gillingham Town fc's Larry Chilton made it 1-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Bart Hurst was left in no man's land by his defense there! Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sammy Tanner in the 73rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bart Hurst prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Lovedean FC's zone, Tristan Gerrard stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bart Hurst came out of the goal and Tristan Gerrard tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Lovedean FC booed when Gillingham Town fc was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Leo Carpenter didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thomas Hill hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. Freddie Ackroyd's late challenge caught a Lovedean FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Freddie Ackroyd helped the player get up and apologised. In the 88th minute, one of Gillingham Town fc:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Gillingham Town fc. Toby Basterfield walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. When Tristan Blake was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 95 minutes had been played. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sammy Tanner in the 97th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bart Hurst prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The Lovedean 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.