League Play-Off

Birmingham Selly Oak
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Tod Jennings started the match with the kick off. After a rather tough play, Leigh's Andy Bailey got a free kick in the 3rd minute. Liverpool FC's Leif Barka got a good chance for a goal in the 4th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 7th minute Trevor Featherstone shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sean Bolton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Brad Deaconsfield fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sean Bolton having to interfere. Dennis Baker acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 10th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Huey Saunders. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Tod Jennings managed to get in a good position for a shot. Leigh's supporters rose to their feet, but Tod Jennings was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Sean Bolton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Liverpool FC's Sean Bolton played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tod Jennings in the 14th minute of play. Dennis Baker made an important save on a dangerous shot by Leif Barka in the 15th minute. Sean Bolton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tod Jennings in the 18th minute of the match. Sean Bolton didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Tod Jennings went, in the 18th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. Leif Barka sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 25th minute, Leo Fisher hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 26th minute Tod Jennings shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sean Bolton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Liverpool FC's Howard Horseman got a free kick in the 28th minute. Victor Oates charged in rather forcefully in the 35th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Victor Oates the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Leigh getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Victor Oates hit a great ball. Leigh's Dennis Baker proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 37th minute of the match, managed to save Leigh from getting a goal against them. In the 40th minute Trevor Featherstone shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sean Bolton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trevor Featherstone in the 43rd minute of play forced Liverpool FC's goalkeeper Sean Bolton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Liverpool FC's Leif Barka got a good chance for a goal in the 44th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Trevor Featherstone's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Sean Bolton read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 47th minute of play. Kevin Hutchings hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Leif Barka made a kick off. Trevor Featherstone received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Sean Bolton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tod Jennings received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Sean Bolton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Sean Bolton was out of position in the 62 minute of play, and Tod Jennings capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Tod Jennings really showed his touch with that goal: 0-2. Sean Bolton didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 77th minute, which inside left pole to 0-3. Sean Bolton made a fantastic save in the 82nd minute, when Trevor Featherstone sent off a good shot on target. After 84 minutes Liverpool FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Ronnie Endean who took care of the corner kick. Liverpool FC's Leif Barka got a good chance for a goal in the 92nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Kevin Hutchings struck a weak shot in the 93rd minute. Dennis Baker didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Liverpool FC. A collision led to Leigh getting a freekick after 96 minutes play. Brad Deaconsfield hit a great ball. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Leigh eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.