League Play-Off

Birkenhead Stadium
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Aqel Al Khames got the match started through his kick off. Majed Al Shemali was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Mortada Hayat showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 3 minute of play. In the 7th minute Naem Al Besher shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Majed Al Shemali saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Aqel Al Khames struck a weak shot in the 9th minute. Mosab Al Khames didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Malmesbury. With his leg Majed Al Shemali managed to avoid a goal in the 12thth minute, when Birkenhead AFC's Fahad Al Sarraf fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. If Naem Al Besher had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 20 minutes into the match, Birkenhead AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Aqel Al Khames came free, but Mosab Al Khames reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mosab Al Khames showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aqel Al Khames in the 21st minute of the match. Malmesbury's Majed Al Shemali played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Naem Al Besher in the 29th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Malmesbury's Eesa Al Qatam got a free kick in the 30th minute. After having played for 31 minutes, Naem Al Besher managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birkenhead AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Naem Al Besher was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mosab Al Khames showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Anwar Al Homaithe, who was totally free with the ball in the 42nd minute. In the 44th minute, Aqel Al Khames hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 45 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Malmesbury! The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

When Anwar Al Homaithe came up free with the goalie in the 53rd minute, the Malmesbury fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Anwar Al Homaithe couldn't finish the play. Mosab Al Khames took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aqel Al Khames, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Malmesbury defense, Fahad Al Sarraf kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Majed Al Shemali. The Malmesbury fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Majed Al Shemali should have stopped the shot. Thanks to some nice moves Anwar Al Homaithe could shoot a difficult shot in the 67th minute, which Mosab Al Khames however easily saved by the left post. After 72 played minutes Aqel Al Khames rounded Birkenhead AFC's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 3-1. Mortada Hayat charged in rather forcefully in the 75th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mortada Hayat the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 75th match minute, Birkenhead AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mortada Hayat to maneuver through the defense. When Aqel Al Khames came up free with the goalie in the 81st minute, the Malmesbury fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Aqel Al Khames couldn't finish the play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Anwar Al Homaithe got free with Mosab Al Khames in the 82nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 82nd minute, Mortada Hayat hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 87 minutes into the game, Aqel Al Khames recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Mosab Al Khames. Aqel Al Khames showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 3-2. After a rather tough play, Birkenhead AFC's Mortada Hayat got a free kick in the 93rd minute. Mosab Al Khames showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Najim Al Barrak, who was totally free with the ball in the 96th minute. Birkenhead AFC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.