League Play-Off

Swindon Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Halton Holegate United's Hani Bo Hamad started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. The supporters of Halton Holegate United booed when Swindon was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 7 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mosab Al Balool didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Morad Al Srae in the 14th minute of play forced Halton Holegate United's goalkeeper Shabeb Kakoli to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Halton Holegate United's zone, Abdul Rahman Al Towatan stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Shabeb Kakoli came out of the goal and Abdul Rahman Al Towatan tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Shabeb Kakoli stood somewhat misplaced when Salem Al Saffar came free in front of goal and shot 1-0 to the left of him in the 19 minute. 22 minutes into the match, Halton Holegate United's goalkeeper Shabeb Kakoli had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abdul Rahman Al Towatan. Salem Al Saffar's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Shabeb Kakoli read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 24th minute of play. When Halton Holegate United's Abdulatif Taiban in the 25th minute got a chance for a shot 25th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Swindon's goalie prevented a goal. After 33 played minutes Swindon got a freekick which was hit by Morad Al Srae. After 34 played minutes, Halton Holegate United's Fuad Al Besher shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Wasel Al Ajmi 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 Halton Holegate United reached it. Halton Holegate United's Shabeb Kakoli played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Salem Al Saffar in the 36th minute of play. Salem Al Saffar struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Shabeb Kakoli didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Swindon.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Salem Al Saffar stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Mnawer Al Khames's late challenge caught a Swindon's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mnawer Al Khames helped the player get up and apologised. 55 minutes into the match, Salem Al Saffar had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Shabeb Kakoli. Halton Holegate United's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Salem Al Saffar was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. In the 60th minute of the match, Hani Bo Hamad tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Wasel Al Ajmi saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Salem Al Saffar recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 62nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Salem Al Saffar sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hani Bo Hamad fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wasel Al Ajmi having to interfere. If Hani Bo Hamad had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Abdulatif Taiban fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wasel Al Ajmi having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Salem Al Saffar in the 75th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Shabeb Kakoli saved Halton Holegate United from getting behind. Halton Holegate United's Shabeb Kakoli played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Salem Al Saffar in the 79th minute of play. 81 minutes into the game, Ahmad Al Ajmi was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Halton Holegate United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Swindon the free kick. In the 81st match minute, Halton Holegate United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ahmad Al Ajmi to maneuver through the defense. Shabeb Kakoli showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Abdul Rahman Al Towatan in the 83rd minute of the match. 87 minutes into the match, Swindon's goalkeeper Wasel Al Ajmi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abdulatif Taiban. In the 90th minute Salem Al Saffar shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Shabeb Kakoli saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Swindon's Salem Al Saffar got a good chance for a goal in the 92nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Salem Al Saffar sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Swindon's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.