League Play-Off

Rushden
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Kyle Alsop made the kick off and thus started the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Keanu Howarth got free with Ged Waddington in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 13th match minute, Arsenal Football Club was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Russ Cordingley to maneuver through the defense. After 15 played minutes Arsenal Football Club got a freekick which was hit by Miles Easter. When Arsenal Football Club's Kyle Alsop in the 19th minute got a chance for a shot 19th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Rushden FC's goalie prevented a goal. Garry Clough's late challenge caught a Arsenal Football Club's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Garry Clough helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Rushden FC's Garry Clough got a free kick in the 24th minute. After 25 minutes, Kyle Alsop made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Rushden FC's Ralf Oakes tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Mark Patterson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 27th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The supporters of Arsenal Football Club booed when Rushden FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 30 match minutes in a wonderful position. Barrie Chandler didn't get a good kick on the ball. Kyle Alsop struck a weak shot in the 31st minute. Ralf Oakes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Arsenal Football Club. In the 32nd match minute, Arsenal Football Club was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Josh Webb to maneuver through the defense. Kyle Alsop 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. In the 39thth minute of the game Kyle Alsop who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Rushden FC's Ralf Oakes was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Arsenal Football Club's Ged Waddington proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 43rd minute of the match, managed to save Arsenal Football Club from getting a goal against them. In the 44th minute, Mark Patterson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 46 played minutes, Rushden FC's Sebastien Dennison shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Ged Waddington came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Rushden FC reached it. 48 minutes into the match, Rushden FC's Keanu Howarth sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Ged Waddington narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After the first half Arsenal Football Club were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Garry Clough to make the kick off. Ged Waddington made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Keanu Howarth in the 54th minute of play. Vern Harris kicked well hit freekick during the 55th minute of the match. In the 58th minute, Keanu Howarth made a precise shot to the right of Ged Waddington. Arsenal Football Club's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Miles Easter hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. In the 67th minute Garry Clough shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ged Waddington saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Garry Clough in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ged Waddington saved Arsenal Football Club from getting behind. If Callum Couzens had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Keanu Howarth sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 77 minutes into the match, Arsenal Football Club's goal looked a bit too open when Garry Clough came free, but Ged Waddington reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 77th minute, Garry Clough left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Rushden FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. In the 93rd minute, Garry Clough ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Ged Waddington was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-1. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Rushden FC fans cheered their team off the field, for while Arsenal Football Club had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.