League Play-Off

Rainbow
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Reese Staworowski made the kick off which started today's match. Stanford United were furious when Dean Gorham was red carded, 9 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. 9 minutes into the game, one of Stanford United:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. With a little luck, Stanford United's Clark Baptiste got control of the ball when Bert Kayrooz tried to sneak it across the goal line. Edison Alwege fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Clifford Leach having to interfere. In the 30th minute Duffield Prior shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Clark Baptiste saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 32 played minutes Rainbow got a freekick which was hit by Barnard Gledden. Edison Alwege struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Clifford Leach didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Stanford United. Stanford United's Reese Staworowski got a good chance for a goal in the 36th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 38 minutes into the game, Abraham Goucher was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Stanford United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rainbow the free kick. In the 38th match minute, Stanford United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abraham Goucher to maneuver through the defense. Duffield Prior received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Clark Baptiste came out and tried to block the shot, but Duffield Prior slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 41st minute. Clark Baptiste made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bert Kayrooz in the 46th minute of play. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Duffield Prior stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Cliff Moran kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. Clark Baptiste showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bert Kayrooz in the 56th minute of the match. In the 57th minute, Handley Travers hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Rainbow's zone, Edison Alwege stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Clifford Leach came out of the goal and Edison Alwege tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Clarke Maddern's late challenge caught a Rainbow's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Clarke Maddern helped the player get up and apologised. Clark Baptiste showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edgar Howie in the 68th minute of the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Edison Alwege kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Clifford Leach. That made the score 2-2 in the 69 minute of play. In the 74th minute, Edison Alwege made a precise shot to the right of Clifford Leach. Rainbow's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-3. Clark Baptiste took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Duffield Prior, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Stanford United's Clark Baptiste played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Duffield Prior in the 81st minute of play. 82 minutes into the match, Rainbow's goalkeeper Clifford Leach had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Edison Alwege. In the 85th minute of the match, Edison Alwege got a very nice opportunity to score, but Clifford Leach was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. The supporters of Stanford United booed when Rainbow was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Batterham didn't get a good kick on the ball. From close distance Reese Staworowski pressed in the 2-4 goal high up into nets stiches in the right cross 89 minutes into the game. If Edison Alwege had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Chants of Stanford United echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Rainbow had held the ball for most of the match.