League Play-Off

Houghton le Spring S
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) If Felix Chandran had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 2nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Khai Peng's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Vincent Couzens read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 4th minute of play. After 5 played minutes Houghton le Spring got a freekick which was hit by Robert Warden. Rufus Preston fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Clive Nagasaki having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Robert Warden during the 12th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Khai Peng managed to get in a good position for a shot. Paris Saint-Germain's supporters rose to their feet, but Khai Peng was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Vincent Couzens breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Rufus Preston sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 30th minute, Felix Chandran made a precise shot to the right of Vincent Couzens. Houghton le Spring's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fariz Chee in the 33rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Vincent Couzens prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a rather tough play, Houghton le Spring's Blair Golding got a free kick in the 34th minute. Vincent Couzens came out of the goal in the 36th minute to try and stop a shot by Paris Saint-Germain's Fariz Chee. But to his dismay, Fariz Chee quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. In the 42nd minute, Fariz Chee 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Felix Chandran in the 44th minute of play forced Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper Vincent Couzens to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fariz Chee in the 45th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Vincent Couzens prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Vincent Couzens made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Chandran in the 47th minute of play. After 47 minutes, Blair Golding mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Houghton le Spring and the Paris Saint-Germain players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 48 played minutes Houghton le Spring got a freekick which was hit by Blair Golding. After the first half Paris Saint-Germain were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The wind increased when Fariz Chee made the kick off in the second half. In the 55th minute the ball was on its way in behind Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper Vincent Couzens, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Felix Chandran could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 56th minute of the match, but Vincent Couzens made a huge save. In the 62nd minute, Felix Chandran fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. 70 minutes into the match, Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper Vincent Couzens had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Felix Chandran. In the 74th minute, Paris Saint-Germain's Fariz Chee ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Vincent Couzens. Vincent Couzens yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-3. A collision led to Houghton le Spring getting a freekick after 78 minutes play. Calum Lamb hit a great ball. Houghton le Spring's Vincent Couzens proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 78th minute of the match, managed to save Houghton le Spring from getting a goal against them. Khai Peng fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vincent Couzens having to interfere. In the 87th minute the ball was on its way in behind Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper Vincent Couzens, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When Khai Peng came up free with the goalie in the 89th minute, the Paris Saint-Germain 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 Khai Peng couldn't finish the play. After a rather tough play, Houghton le Spring's Frank Prior got a free kick in the 90th minute. SK Seng kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. Khai Peng blasted a shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Vincent Couzens having to make a save. When the match was over Paris Saint-Germain could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Houghton le Spring throughout the match.