League Play-Off

Helmsdale Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Calum McKirdy took the kick off in the first half of the match. 3 minutes into the match, Derek Skene dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Dominic McKinven, 1-0. Lewis McGuffie sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Helmsdale FC's Martin McLaren played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Calum McKirdy in the 10th minute of play. Patrick Bean kicked well hit freekick during the 12th minute of the match. Bruce McConnell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 13th minute. Dominic McKinven tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 14 played minutes Saint Johnstone FC got a freekick which was hit by Blair McGuffie. After a defensive mix-up in Saint Johnstone FC's zone, Bruce McConnell stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dominic McKinven came out of the goal and Bruce McConnell tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Patrick Bean kicked well hit freekick during the 18th minute of the match. Guy McKinnon kicked well hit freekick during the 21st minute of the match. Jonathan Alderson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Calum McKirdy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Guy McKinnon sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lewis McGuffie in the 44th minute of play forced Helmsdale FC's goalkeeper Martin McLaren to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lewis McGuffie sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Reece Mein's late challenge caught a Saint Johnstone FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Reece Mein helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Helmsdale FC getting a freekick after 48 minutes play. Reece Mein hit a great ball. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Bruce McConnell to make the kick off. If Derek Skene had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fraser French hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. In the 61st minute of the match Blair McGuffie sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Martin McLaren skillfully saved the ball. Bruce McConnell took the ball and in the 64 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dominic McKinven. Dominic McKinven dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. Dominic McKinven took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Derek Skene, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Derek Skene in the 71st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dominic McKinven saved Saint Johnstone FC from getting behind. Derek Skene sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Derek Skene fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 77th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dominic McKinven having to interfere. Guy McKinnon's late challenge caught a Helmsdale FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Guy McKinnon helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Helmsdale FC booed when Saint Johnstone FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Guy McKinnon didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bruce McConnell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dominic McKinven having to interfere. Bruce McConnell blasted a shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dominic McKinven having to make a save. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Helmsdale FC had won after a very even match.