League Play-Off

Ingersoll Stadium
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Bradley Garner made the kick off which started today's match. After a rather tough play, South China United's Roman Crowell got a free kick in the 12th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bradley Garner in the 15th minute of play forced South China United's goalkeeper Buddy Payton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bradley Garner received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Buddy Payton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Lyle Marrero charged in rather forcefully in the 19th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Lyle Marrero the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Middleton booed when South China United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lyle Marrero didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sylvester Hilton in the 22nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Buddy Payton prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience was convinced that Jesus McNeil's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Buddy Payton was relentless in the 25th minute of the game. In the 29th minute Lester Dickey shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Valéry Guilmette saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 33 minutes South China United's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Travis Racicot who took care of the corner kick. A nice corner shot did that Travis Racicot got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Buddy Payton quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Buddy Payton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bradley Garner, who was totally free with the ball in the 37th minute. Buddy Payton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bradley Garner, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Bradley Garner in the 41st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Buddy Payton saved South China United from getting behind. If Bradley Garner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Lester Dickey made a kick off. South China United's Baptiste Carney got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 55th minute the ball was on its way in behind South China United's goalkeeper Buddy Payton, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Middleton's zone, Lester Dickey stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Valéry Guilmette came out of the goal and Lester Dickey tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Sylvester Hilton charged in rather forcefully in the 65th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Sylvester Hilton the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 65th match minute, Middleton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sylvester Hilton to maneuver through the defense. In the 66th minute of the match Rolando Courtois shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Valéry Guilmette showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Lester Dickey received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Valéry Guilmette tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Buddy Payton made an important save on a dangerous shot by Jesus McNeil in the 72nd minute. 74 minutes into the game, Bradley Garner recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Buddy Payton. Bradley Garner showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-1. Jesus McNeil's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 80thth minute, Buddy Payton skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. When the match had gone on for 85 minutes, Bradley Garner took a quick shot and it went in 0-2 without a chance for Buddy Payton to make any attempt to save it. Bradley Garner recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 94th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Lester Dickey had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Middleton's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.