League

Notting Hill Gate
Spectators: 6723 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Kaddour Firoud got the match started through his kick off. After some careless play in the Notting Hill Gate City defense, Amar Cherrad kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Karim Kensi. The Notting Hill Gate City fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Karim Kensi should have stopped the shot. After some fancy dribbling in the 17th minute, Kaddour Firoud managed to get in a good position for a shot. Notting Hill Gate City's supporters rose to their feet, but Kaddour Firoud was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gebril Otman breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Thanks to some nice moves Hichem Megharia could shoot a difficult shot in the 20th minute, which Gebril Otman however easily saved by the left post. Gebril Otman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kaddour Firoud in the 21st minute of the match. When Kader Difallah fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Notting Hill Gate City's protests and gave Kader Difallah a yellow card for diving instead. In the 25th match minute, Notting Hill Gate City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kader Difallah to maneuver through the defense. In the 28th minute, Notting Hill Gate City's Ismaël El Annabi seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Ismaël El Annabi the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Notting Hill Gate City protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Ismaël El Annabi had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. After 27 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Notting Hill Gate City! 32 minutes into the match, Ilfracombe's goalkeeper Gebril Otman had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Amad Abbas. If Amar Cherrad had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Gebril Otman made an important save on a dangerous shot by Amad Abbas in the 38th minute. After having played for 46 minutes, Amad Abbas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Notting Hill Gate City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Amad Abbas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Gebril Otman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hichem Megharia, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rezki Bahari received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Karim Kensi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 55 minutes into the game, Madhi Maouch was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Notting Hill Gate City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ilfracombe the free kick. The audience thought a goal was coming when Amar Cherrad got free with Karim Kensi in the 58th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Amar Cherrad sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Notting Hill Gate City's zone, Rezki Bahari stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Karim Kensi came out of the goal and Rezki Bahari tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Notting Hill Gate City's Madhi Maouch got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Rezki Bahari during the 71st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Ilfracombe's Rezki Bahari got a free kick in the 71st minute. A collision led to Notting Hill Gate City getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. Amad Abbas hit a great ball. After 77 played minutes Rezki Bahari rounded Notting Hill Gate City's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-2. Amar Cherrad struck a weak shot in the 82nd minute. Karim Kensi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ilfracombe. 87 minutes into the match, Notting Hill Gate City's goal looked a bit too open when Rezki Bahari came free, but Karim Kensi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Amad Abbas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gebril Otman having to interfere. The Notting Hill Gate City manager could be seen shouting at his players as they walked down the tunnel after the match. He was clearly angry that they had squandered their superior possession, allowing Ilfracombe to win.