League Play-Off

New Ash Green
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Scott Lamb started the match with the kick off. Frank Fairbank showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Iain Lumb, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. The supporters of Sidcup booed when New Ash Green FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 5 match minutes in a wonderful position. Damian Gower didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Sidcup's Iain Lumb in the 6th minute got a chance for a shot 6th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye New Ash Green FC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 15th minute, Jake Bull fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Sly Hough, passed just outside the right post. Eddy Bale hit a great freekick 16 minutes into the match. 24 minutes into the match, New Ash Green FC's goal looked a bit too open when William Tuck came free, but Frank Fairbank reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Scott Lamb in the 25th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Sly Hough prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Frank Fairbank made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Iain Lumb in the 32nd minute of play. With a little luck, Sidcup's Sly Hough got control of the ball when Bart Staple tried to sneak it across the goal line. Sidcup's Iain Lumb got a good chance for a goal in the 44th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Iain Lumb stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Sidcup were awarded a corner in the 54th minute after New Ash Green FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Bryan Ealham took the corner. After taking down the ball on Sidcup's corner Bryan Ealham fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Frank Fairbank quite easily take care of the ball. When Jonathon West fell near the penalty area in the 59th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored New Ash Green FC's protests and gave Jonathon West a yellow card for diving instead. In the 59th minute, Jonathon West hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Frank Fairbank showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Iain Lumb in the 63rd minute of the match. In the 71st minute, William Tuck made a precise shot to the right of Frank Fairbank. New Ash Green FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Frank Fairbank took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Iain Lumb, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some fancy dribbling in the 77th minute, Marlon Larham managed to get in a good position for a shot. New Ash Green FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Marlon Larham was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Sly Hough breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Scott Lamb received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Sly Hough tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 81st minute, Scott Lamb 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. Sidcup's Iain Lumb got a good chance for a goal in the 83rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Frank Fairbank was out of position in the 85 minute of play, and Iain Lumb capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Iain Lumb really showed his touch with that goal: 0-2. In the 88th minute the ball was on its way in behind New Ash Green FC's goalkeeper Frank Fairbank, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. William Tuck recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 90th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 92nd minute Iain Lumb shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Frank Fairbank saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. William Tuck might have been able to make a better finish in the 93rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Frank Fairbank. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. William Tuck ran back to his position shaking his head. 95 minutes into the game, Iain Lumb cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. Frank Fairbank was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Sidcup walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.