League Play-Off

Penistone Park
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Gerard Devan made the kick off and thus started the match. In the 4th minute Gerard Devan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sol Slade saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 6th minute, Bakar Tioe got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. When Gerard Devan came up free with the goalie in the 8th minute, the Penistone FC 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 Gerard Devan couldn't finish the play. Sol Slade was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Gerard Devan showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-0 in the 16 minute of play. Sol Slade showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bakar Tioe in the 20th minute of the match. Gerard Devan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Sol Slade made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gerard Devan in the 24th minute of play. Mattias Best hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. With an all-out effort, Penistone FC's Sol Slade threw himself towards the right post 29 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Gerard Devan, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After some fancy dribbling in the 30th minute, Ron Boon managed to get in a good position for a shot. Penistone FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Ron Boon was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Sol Slade breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gerard Devan in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Sol Slade saved Rochdale from getting behind. In the 33rd match minute, Rochdale was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mattias Best to maneuver through the defense. Ron Namasivayam took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mattias Best, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 39 minutes into the game, Gerard Devan cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-0. Sol Slade was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Ron Namasivayam made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mattias Best in the 43rd minute of play. 46 minutes into the game, Gerard Devan lined in a short shot 4-0 behind a frustrated Sol Slade. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 4-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Alfred Beaver made a kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bakar Tioe in the 64th minute of play forced Rochdale's goalkeeper Sol Slade to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Robin Rooney kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. Gerard Devan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ronn Tan struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Sol Slade didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Penistone FC. After 85 minutes, Robin Rooney mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rochdale and the Penistone FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 85th match minute, Rochdale was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Robin Rooney to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gerard Devan in the 86th minute of play forced Rochdale's goalkeeper Sol Slade to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Sol Slade showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gerard Devan, who was totally free with the ball in the 88th minute. The supporters of Penistone FC booed when Rochdale was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mattias Best didn't get a good kick on the ball. Penistone FC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.