League Play-Off

Basildon Park
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) In the 3rd minute of the match Dennis Oates sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ged Birchall skillfully saved the ball. When Brian Hitchen fell near the penalty area in the 5th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Basildon AFC's protests and gave Brian Hitchen a yellow card for diving instead. 14 minutes into the game, Ashley Hewitt cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Spike McIlroy was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After some careless play in the Basildon AFC defense, Ashley Hewitt kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Spike McIlroy. The Basildon AFC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Spike McIlroy should have stopped the shot. Ashley Hewitt recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Spike McIlroy showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ian Haylock , who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. Spike McIlroy stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ashley Hewitt 's shot from short distance in the 36th minute. Don Dwyer charged in rather forcefully in the 36th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Don Dwyer the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 36 played minutes Basildon AFC got a freekick which was hit by Don Dwyer . After having played for 45 minutes, Ian Haylock managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Partington FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ian Haylock was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Colin Grantham was the one to do the kick off. In the 55th minute, Colin Grantham ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Ged Birchall was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-3. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ashley Hewitt in the 59th minute of play forced Basildon AFC's goalkeeper Spike McIlroy to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 62nd match minute, Partington FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adrian Summerfield to maneuver through the defense. Colin Grantham received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Ged Birchall tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ashley Hewitt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Spike McIlroy having to interfere. Basildon AFC's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Ashley Hewitt 72 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 2-4. Colin Grantham sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Spike McIlroy made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ashley Hewitt in the 80th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Chris Kennedy in the 82nd minute of play forced Partington FC's goalkeeper Ged Birchall to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Chris Kennedy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 84th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Chris Kennedy fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ged Birchall having to interfere. A collision led to Partington FC getting a freekick after 91 minutes play. Crispin Gamble hit a great ball. A collision led to Basildon AFC getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Brian Hitchen hit a great ball. Ashley Hewitt hit a great freekick 96 minutes into the match. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Partington FC walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.