League Play-Off

Meadow Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Rob Panther kicked off to start the match. The audience was convinced that Ryan Hubbard's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Matty Purkiss was relentless in the 4th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matt Oldroyd in the 5th minute of play forced Gloucester City's goalkeeper Matty Purkiss to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 7th minute, Matt Oldroyd 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. Rob Panther 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. Jimmy Hartleys short, quick shot in the 14thth minute got Liam Long to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Rob Panther received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Liam Long tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the match clock showed 18 minutes, the score became 0-1 when Ryan Hubbard sped through Gloucester City's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Matty Purkiss. After a rather tough play, Gloucester City's Dean Kenna got a free kick in the 23rd minute. Huey Endean hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. Matty Purkiss took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Hubbard, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Gloucester City's zone, Matt Oldroyd stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Matty Purkiss came out of the goal and Matt Oldroyd tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The Gloucester City players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ponteland United were winning 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ryan Hubbard to make the kick off. If Jimmy Hartley had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Matt Oldroyd was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 58th minute. Ponteland United's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Alfie Barltrop kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. If Matt Oldroyd had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 64th minute, Matt Oldroyd left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ponteland United fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. Matt Oldroyd sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rob Panther in the 79th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Liam Long saved Ponteland United from getting behind. In the 80th minute Ryan Hubbard shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matty Purkiss saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Liam Long showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rob Panther in the 82nd minute of the match. Ryan Hubbard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matty Purkiss having to interfere. When Kev Leyburn fell near the penalty area in the 85th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gloucester City's protests and gave Kev Leyburn a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Gloucester City getting a freekick after 85 minutes play. Kev Leyburn hit a great ball. Geoff Jump, 86 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Matt Oldroyd received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Matty Purkiss tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ryan Hubbard blasted a shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Matty Purkiss having to make a save. Ponteland United's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.