League Play-Off

Harleston
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Luke Dryden started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 5th minute, Sidney Hollingsworth 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. Roger Whitworth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marcus Llyod, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sidney Hollingsworth received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Roger Whitworth tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rich Searle in the 11th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Roger Whitworth saved Harleston United from getting behind. In the 13th minute of the match Lovedean AFC got a corner. Harleston United's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Ted Stubbs ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led to Lovedean AFC's Stuart Ackroyd getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. In the 15th minute, Sidney Hollingsworth 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. In the 18th match minute, Harleston United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Neil Liddle to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Harleston United's Neil Liddle got a free kick in the 20th minute. Roger Whitworth stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Sidney Hollingsworth's shot from short distance in the 23rd minute. Grant Togwell hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. In the 28th minute, Rich Searle ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Roger Whitworth was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Simon Winship made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Carlton Spurgeon in the 31st minute of play. Eric Lampard hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. Harleston United's Neil Liddle pulled a muscle in his leg after 40 minutes and couldn't finish the game. After 40 minutes, Ted Stubbs mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Lovedean AFC and the Harleston United players grew even worse after the yellow card. Ted Stubbs kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. 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 wind increased when Rich Searle made the kick off in the second half. Sidney Hollingsworth struck a weak shot in the 51st minute. Roger Whitworth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Lovedean AFC. In the 53rd match minute, Harleston United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Basil Johnstone to maneuver through the defense. 54 minutes into the match, Lovedean AFC's Ted Stubbs broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Roger Whitworth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rich Searle in the 63rd minute of play. After 69 played minutes Lovedean AFC got a freekick which was hit by Denis Whitman. A hard shot 75 in the game by Sidney Hollingsworth from a close distance when the talented Roger Whitworth managed to make a qualified save. Harleston United's players were relieved. In the 76th minute, Rich Searle 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. Rich Searle sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Luke Dryden fell near the penalty area in the 81st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Harleston United's protests and gave Luke Dryden a yellow card for diving instead. In the 81st minute, Luke Dryden hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rich Searle in the 83rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Roger Whitworth prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Roger Whitworth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rich Searle, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With his leg Roger Whitworth managed to avoid a goal in the 88thth minute, when Lovedean AFC's Sidney Hollingsworth fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Rich Searle fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Roger Whitworth having to interfere. Harleston United's Carlton Spurgeon got a good chance for a goal in the 93rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar.