League Play-Off

Old Leake
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Rio Gettins got the match started through his kick off. If Afriz Mathews had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Grant Phippard made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Afriz Mathews in the 6th minute of play. In the 14th minute of the match Gerard Ramachandran sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Grant Phippard skillfully saved the ball. If Afriz Mathews had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 16th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Grant Phippard took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Afriz Mathews, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Zafran Namasivayam kicked well hit freekick during the 19th minute of the match. After having played for 24 minutes, Afriz Mathews managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Rothwell United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Afriz Mathews was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Wei Xuan Hoe sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After 28 minutes, Hamir Butcher mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rothwell United and the Old Leake United players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Rothwell United getting a freekick after 28 minutes play. Hamir Butcher hit a great ball. Zak Swee was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 29th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Jonny Osborn. Afriz Mathews received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Grant Phippard tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 34 minutes into the game, Christian Frost was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Old Leake United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rothwell United the free kick. In the 34th minute, Christian Frost hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Afriz Mathews sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 38 minutes into the match, Wei Xuan Hoe notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Old Leake United's Grant Phippard. Grant Phippard was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. A collision led to Rothwell United getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Zafran Namasivayam hit a great ball. Zak Swee stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rio Gettins's shot from short distance in the 42nd minute. Rio Gettins received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Zak Swee tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 47 minutes, Rio Gettins managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Old Leake United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rio Gettins was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After the first half Rothwell United were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Wei Xuan Hoe was the one to do the kick off. Wei Xuan Hoes short, quick shot in the 54thth minute got Grant Phippard to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After 56 played minutes Old Leake United got a freekick which was hit by Walter Trotter. In the 59th minute, Afriz Mathews made a precise shot to the right of Grant Phippard. Old Leake United's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-2. With his leg Grant Phippard managed to avoid a goal in the 63rdth minute, when Rothwell United's Afriz Mathews fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After 63 minutes of play Old Leake United's Walter Trotter was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. In the 64th minute, Walter Trotter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Wei Xuan Hoe sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Old Leake United's zone, Afriz Mathews stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Grant Phippard came out of the goal and Afriz Mathews tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Old Leake United's Grant Phippard played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Wei Xuan Hoe in the 80th minute of play. If Wei Xuan Hoe had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jonny Osborn charged in rather forcefully in the 86th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jonny Osborn the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Rothwell United booed when Old Leake United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jonny Osborn didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Old Leake United getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Alistair Lydiate hit a great ball. Grant Phippard took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wei Xuan Hoe, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match was over Rothwell United could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Old Leake United throughout the match.