League Play-Off

Neen Sollars Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Martin Braithwaite struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Len Wiseman didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Hailsham. Simon Faulkner took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Iain Daly, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Joey Simms came up free with the goalie in the 18th minute, the Neen Sollars 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 Joey Simms couldn't finish the play. In the 29th minute, Joey Simms 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. After a defensive mix-up in Hailsham's zone, Iain Daly stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Simon Faulkner came out of the goal and Iain Daly tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The Neen Sollars FC fans' excitement grew in the 31st match minute when Neen Sollars FC's Joey Simms 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 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Neen Sollars FC's Joey Simms got a good chance for a goal in the 34th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Philip Addison hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. Martin Braithwaite sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Wes Knott in the 43rd minute of play forced Neen Sollars FC's goalkeeper Len Wiseman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Lee Challis fell near the penalty area in the 44th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Neen Sollars FC's protests and gave Lee Challis a yellow card for diving instead. Lee Challis hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. Simon Faulkner was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Iain Daly showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 3-0 in the 47 minute of play.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Iain Daly made a kick off. Hailsham's Simon Faulkner played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joey Simms in the 54th minute of play. Joey Simms sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Simon Faulkner took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Iain Daly, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lee Challis fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Simon Faulkner having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Iain Daly in the 71st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Simon Faulkner saved Hailsham from getting behind. In the 77th minute, Joey Simms 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. If Martin Braithwaite had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Joey Simms's late challenge caught a Hailsham's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Joey Simms helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Hailsham booed when Neen Sollars FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Joey Simms didn't get a good kick on the ball. Simon Faulkner didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Iain Daly went, in the 83rd minute, to the upper right corner, 4-0 was the resulting score. Iain Daly struck a weak shot in the 87th minute. Simon Faulkner didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Neen Sollars FC. The supporters of Neen Sollars FC booed when Hailsham was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Harvey Stone didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 92nd match minute, Hailsham was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfred Krief to maneuver through the defense. 94 minutes into the match, Hailsham's goal looked a bit too open when Joey Simms came free, but Simon Faulkner reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Simon Faulkner showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Iain Daly, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. After 96 minutes of play, Neen Sollars FC's Iain Daly made it 5-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Simon Faulkner was left in no man's land by his defense there! Neen Sollars FC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.