League Play-Off

AVL
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Alec Mason started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Andy Gardener in the 5thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Rupert Avery, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. The supporters of Airblue booed when Eastbourne FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Johnathon Truscott didn't get a good kick on the ball. Andy Gardener sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 11th minute the ball was on its way in behind Eastbourne FC's goalkeeper Rupert Avery, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 15th minute, Greg Burns ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Wally Howarth was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. After a rather tough play, Eastbourne FC's Brett Parry got a free kick in the 18th minute. A hard shot by Stefan Marriott from long distance, 19 minutes into the match, got Rupert Avery's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. Andy Gardener who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 20thth minute tested the skills of Rupert Avery when he managed to save the team from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alec Mason in the 22nd minute of play forced Airblue's goalkeeper Wally Howarth to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 23rd minute of the match, Russell McDonald tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Rupert Avery saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Russell McDonald in the 24th minute of play forced Eastbourne FC's goalkeeper Rupert Avery to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Andy Gardener who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 25thth minute tested the skills of Rupert Avery when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Andy Gardener's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Rupert Avery firmly grabbed it by the left post. Airblue's Wally Howarth played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alec Mason in the 37th minute of play. When Damian Gunn fell near the penalty area in the 39th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Eastbourne FC's protests and gave Damian Gunn a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Eastbourne FC getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Damian Gunn hit a great ball. Airblue's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Alan Swanson in the 42nd minute. Alan Swanson made a great header on Airblue's corner, it was just that Eastbourne FC's Rupert Avery managed to reach the ball for a save. Wally Howarth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Johnathon Truscott in the 44th minute of play. Rupert Avery showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Russell McDonald, who was totally free with the ball in the 48th minute. After the first half Eastbourne FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Andy Gardener to strike the kick off in the second half. Andy Gardener sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Russell McDonald sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rupert Avery showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Henry Keyworth in the 61st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Russell McDonald in the 63rd minute of play forced Eastbourne FC's goalkeeper Rupert Avery to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Andy Gardener in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rupert Avery saved Eastbourne FC from getting behind. Russell McDonald fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rupert Avery having to interfere. Russell McDonald took the ball and in the 78 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Rupert Avery. Rupert Avery dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Eastbourne FC's Rupert Avery played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Russell McDonald in the 82nd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Andy Gardener in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rupert Avery saved Eastbourne FC from getting behind. Alec Mason charged in rather forcefully in the 85th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Alec Mason the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 85th match minute, Eastbourne FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alec Mason to maneuver through the defense. Rupert Avery took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andy Gardener, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Eastbourne FC's zone, Andy Gardener stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rupert Avery came out of the goal and Andy Gardener tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience was convinced that Andy Gardener's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Rupert Avery was relentless in the 92nd minute of the game. Alec Mason fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wally Howarth having to interfere. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.