League Play-Off

Oldham Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Peter Potterton got the match started through his kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dave Rothery in the 8th minute of play forced Oldham City's goalkeeper Phillip Hindmarsh to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Phillip Hindmarsh didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Dave Rothery went, in the 11th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind Oldham City's goalkeeper Phillip Hindmarsh, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Russell Blackhurst during the 15th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 16th minute of the match Robbie Wiley sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Devon Rothwell skillfully saved the ball. Phillip Hindmarsh showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Toby Butt in the 18th minute of the match. Dave Rothery received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 22nd minute. Phillip Hindmarsh tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Dave Rothery's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Phillip Hindmarsh read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 25th minute of play. Peter Potterton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Devon Rothwell having to interfere. Freddy Crocker fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 30th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Devon Rothwell having to interfere. Tod Whalleys short, quick shot in the 34thth minute got Devon Rothwell to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The wind increased when Dave Rothery made the kick off in the second half. After 52 played minutes, Oldham City's Gavin Bramhall shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Devon Rothwell 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 Oldham City reached it. Phillip Hindmarsh made an important save on a dangerous shot by Toby Butt in the 53rd minute. The supporters of Hampton in Arden AFC booed when Oldham City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 55 match minutes in a wonderful position. Robbie Wiley didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 57th minute of the match Sam Brodie sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Phillip Hindmarsh skillfully saved the ball. In the 58th minute Tod Whalley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Devon Rothwell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Freddy Crocker fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Oldham City's protests and gave Freddy Crocker a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Oldham City getting a freekick after 62 minutes play. Freddy Crocker hit a great ball. In the 68th minute, Tod Whalley 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. Oldham City's Phillip Hindmarsh proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 71st minute of the match, managed to save Oldham City from getting a goal against them. Peter Potterton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 76 minutes, Paul MacDonald mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Hampton in Arden AFC and the Oldham City players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 76th minute, Paul MacDonald hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 85thth minute of the game Peter Potterton who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Hampton in Arden AFC's Devon Rothwell was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Den Hamilton during the 86th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. If Peter Potterton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After some fancy dribbling in the 91st minute, Tod Whalley managed to get in a good position for a shot. Oldham City's supporters rose to their feet, but Tod Whalley was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Devon Rothwell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Paul MacDonald hit a great freekick 92 minutes into the match. Oldham City's Robbie Wiley was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Devon Rothwell in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Peter Potterton in the 97th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Devon Rothwell saved Hampton in Arden AFC from getting behind. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Oldham City had played much better football throughout.