League Play-Off

Lovedean
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Jeremy Monk took the kick off in the first half of the match. After 6 played minutes Lovedean AFC got a freekick which was hit by Eric Lampard. After a defensive mix-up in Annscroft's zone, Rich Searle stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ivan Hornsby came out of the goal and Rich Searle tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With his leg Ivan Hornsby managed to avoid a goal in the 19thth minute, when Lovedean AFC's Sidney Hollingsworth fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Sidney Hollingsworth could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 23rd minute of the match, but Ivan Hornsby made a huge save. Eddie Starr fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Simon Winship having to interfere. After 28 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Annscroft! If Eddie Starr had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 42 minutes, Reg Pool managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Annscroft's supporters crossed their fingers, but Reg Pool was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jeremy Monk received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Simon Winship tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Eddie Starr received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Simon Winship tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Rich Searle made a kick off. Ivan Hornsby came out of the goal in the 51st minute to try and stop a shot by Lovedean AFC's Rich Searle. But to his dismay, Rich Searle quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-0. In the 55th minute, one of Lovedean AFC: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 Lovedean AFC. The audience thought a goal was coming when Eddie Starr got free with Simon Winship in the 61st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 63 minutes into the match, Rich Searle had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ivan Hornsby. Annscroft's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Rich Searle was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. Ivan Hornsby made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rich Searle in the 67th minute of play. Reg Pool kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Rich Searle recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to Annscroft getting a freekick after 79 minutes play. Robert Warden hit a great ball. 82 minutes into the match, Lovedean AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Jeremy Monk came free, but Simon Winship reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Eddie Starr sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Lance Haskell's late challenge caught a Lovedean AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Lance Haskell helped the player get up and apologised. Sidney Hollingsworth sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rich Searle's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ivan Hornsby read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 98th minute of play. For all the effort they put into the match, the Annscroft players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Lovedean AFC.