League Play-Off

Oonoonba Park
Spectators: 37 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Grandchester FC's Berke Sugden started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bradley Goodbun in the 4th minute of play forced Close family's goalkeeper 叶凡战 to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dino Zoff showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ian Paddle, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. In the 9th minute Bradley Goodbun shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but 叶凡战 saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ian Paddle received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 10th minute. Dino Zoff tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 叶凡战 made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Berke Sugden in the 14th minute of play. 17 minutes into the match, Ian Paddle had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dino Zoff. Grandchester FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ian Paddle was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. After 26 minutes, Paul Butterfield mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Close family and the Grandchester FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 26th match minute, Close family was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Paul Butterfield to maneuver through the defense. A hard shot 28 in the game by Berke Sugden from a close distance when the talented 叶凡战 managed to make a qualified save. Close family's players were relieved. Paul Butterfield was shown his second yellow card after 30 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. After a rather tough play, Close family's Paul Butterfield got a free kick in the 30th minute. 35 minutes into the game, Close family's Humberto Mitxel nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dino Zoff made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. 44 minutes into the match, Jamese Phillips notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Close family's 叶凡战. 叶凡战 was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After the first half Close family were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Ian Paddle stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 53 minutes into the match, Close family's goal looked a bit too open when Bradley Goodbun came free, but 叶凡战 reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 58th minute, Hans Reynolds hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 64th minute, Berke Sugden ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. 叶凡战 was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-2. In the 70th minute, Ian Paddle made a precise shot to the right of Dino Zoff. Grandchester FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-3. 77 minutes into the game, Bradley Goodbun cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-3. 叶凡战 was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Dino Zoff didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 82nd minute, which inside left pole to 3-4. 叶凡战 made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bradley Goodbun in the 85th minute of play. Ian Paddle recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 88th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Jiang Xing kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. 叶凡战 took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bradley Goodbun, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Close family eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.