League Play-Off

Shiprock
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Yazid Reda Madouni kicked off to start the match. The Palmer Heights fans' excitement grew in the 5th match minute when Palmer Heights's Yazid Reda Madouni looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Mohammad Malek struck a weak shot in the 13th minute. Edmond Lacarne didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Shiprock FC. El Merbah fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Edmond Lacarne having to interfere. Abdellah Bencheikh stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Yazid Reda Madouni's shot from short distance in the 21st minute. In the 22nd minute, Noureddine Messaoud hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 27 played minutes Shiprock FC got a freekick which was hit by Mehdi Medjiba. 28 minutes into the game, Yazid Reda Madouni cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-2. Abdellah Bencheikh was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Noureddine Messaoud in the 31st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Abdellah Bencheikh prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 32ndth minute of the game Yazid Reda Madouni who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Shiprock FC's Abdellah Bencheikh was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When Yazid Reda Madouni came up free with the goalie in the 34th minute, the Palmer Heights fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Yazid Reda Madouni couldn't finish the play. Salah Zarabi kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. Shiprock FC's Mohammad Malek got a good chance for a goal in the 39th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. A collision led to Palmer Heights getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Salah Zarabi hit a great ball. If Mohammad Malek had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Palmer Heights's Noureddine Messaoud got a good chance for a goal in the 47th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

El Merbah struck a weak shot in the 55th minute. Edmond Lacarne didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Shiprock FC. 56 minutes into the match, Mohammad Malek had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Edmond Lacarne. Palmer Heights's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Mohammad Malek was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. Yazid Reda Madouni fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Abdellah Bencheikh having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Palmer Heights's zone, Mohammad Malek stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Edmond Lacarne came out of the goal and Mohammad Malek tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. If El Merbah had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Shiprock FC's Abdellah Bencheikh played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Yazid Reda Madouni in the 81st minute of play. After having played for 82 minutes, El Merbah managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Shiprock FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but El Merbah was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mohammad Malek blasted a shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Edmond Lacarne having to make a save. Edmond Lacarne took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from El Merbah, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Palmer Heights defense, Mohammad Malek kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Edmond Lacarne. The Palmer Heights fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Edmond Lacarne should have stopped the shot. 91 minutes into the game, Bendjedid Djamel was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Palmer Heights's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Shiprock FC the free kick. In the 91st match minute, Palmer Heights was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bendjedid Djamel to maneuver through the defense. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.