League

Helsby Stadium
Spectators: 6730 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ayache Benhabiles kicked off to start the match. In the 3rd minute of the match Joudi Saïb sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jahid Belkheir skillfully saved the ball. Jahid Belkheir made a fantastic save in the 6th minute, when Hamid Metidji sent off a good shot on target. In the 7th minute, Ayache Benhabiles made a precise shot to the right of Fahd Merniz. Helsby's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Hamid Metidjis short, quick shot in the 17thth minute got Jahid Belkheir to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. If Hamid Metidji had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ayache Benhabiles received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Fahd Merniz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Fahd Merniz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ayache Benhabiles in the 28th minute of play. Joudi Saïb was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 29 minutes into the match. In a very dangerous position, a player in Helsby fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 29th minute. Penalty! The referee gave Kirkby a penalty, 31 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Walid Bendali, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Helsby's Fahd Merniz. 0-2. Abdessatar Mazari could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Jahid Belkheir made a huge save. Yunes Kouidri's late challenge caught a Helsby's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Yunes Kouidri helped the player get up and apologised. After 38 minutes, Fadel Malek mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Kirkby and the Helsby players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 38th match minute, Kirkby was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fadel Malek to maneuver through the defense. The Helsby players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Kirkby were winning 0-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Hamid Metidji made a kick off. After a rather tough play, Kirkby's Abdelmadjid Guessoum got a free kick in the 51st minute. Jahid Belkheir made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abdessatar Mazari in the 53rd minute of play. A collision led to Kirkby getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Yunes Kouidri hit a great ball. If Hamid Metidji had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Hocine Boumedienne could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 61st minute of the match, but Fahd Merniz made a huge save. When the match clock showed 67 minutes, the score became 1-2 when Hamid Metidji sped through Kirkby's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Jahid Belkheir. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Reda Lagab during the 77th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 77 played minutes Kirkby got a freekick which was hit by Reda Lagab. In the 77th minute, Zaki El Maleh sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Kirkby's Jahid Belkheir didn't even have to move. If Yacoub Boumedienne had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Kirkby booed when Helsby was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tahar Draï didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ayache Benhabiles received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 97th minute. Fahd Merniz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The Helsby 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 Kirkby to win.