League Play-Off

Wanderers Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Ivan Ainge took the kick off in the first half of the match. Rory Whiteley came out of the goal in the 5th minute to try and stop a shot by Hitchin's Dale Lane. But to his dismay, Dale Lane quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Ash Picker sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of Hitchin booed when Wilnecote Wanders was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ivan Ainge didn't get a good kick on the ball. Rory Whiteley took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dale Lane, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dale Lane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 16th minute, Dale Lane managed to get in a good position for a shot. Hitchin's supporters rose to their feet, but Dale Lane was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rory Whiteley breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 19 minutes into the match, Ash Picker had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rory Whiteley. Wilnecote Wanders's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ash Picker was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. In the 28th minute, Dale Lane made a precise shot to the right of Rory Whiteley. Wilnecote Wanders's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-3. Rory Whiteley showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dale Lane in the 35th minute of the match. Rory Whiteley made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ash Picker in the 37th minute of play. Ash Picker struck a weak shot in the 40th minute. Rory Whiteley didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Hitchin. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-4 lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Dale Lane to strike the kick off in the second half. Ivan Ainge received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Russ Strong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 54th minute, Junior Swain ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Russ Strong was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-4. After 65 played minutes Wilnecote Wanders got a freekick which was hit by Junior Swain. After 68 minutes Wilnecote Wanders's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Jonathan Nightingale who took care of the corner kick. 75 minutes into the match, Wilnecote Wanders's goal looked a bit too open when Dale Lane came free, but Rory Whiteley reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ash Picker received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Rory Whiteley tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 80 played minutes Hitchin got a freekick which was hit by Dale Lane. 82 minutes into the match, Wilnecote Wanders's goal looked a bit too open when Dale Lane came free, but Rory Whiteley reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 85thth minute of the game Dale Lane who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Wilnecote Wanders's Rory Whiteley was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Dale Lane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 90 played minutes Wilnecote Wanders got a freekick which was hit by Ivan Ainge. Rory Whiteley took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dale Lane, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rory Whiteley took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dale Lane, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the final whistle sounded Hitchin left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Wilnecote Wanders.