League Play-Off

Harpurhey
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Basem Abo Al Hasan started the match with the kick off. 2 minutes into the match, Harpurhey AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Malik Al Abdullah came free, but Esam Khaja reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 4 minutes into the match, Beccles City's goalkeeper Zahid Al Sallal had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Zaher Kamal. In the 10th minute, Yazeed Al Herz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Beccles City's zone, Zaher Kamal stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zahid Al Sallal came out of the goal and Zaher Kamal tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 14th minute Malik Al Abdullah shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Esam Khaja saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Younis Al Habshi hit a great freekick 16 minutes into the match. In the 18th minute, Zaher Kamal fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Esam Khaja took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Edrees Al Matrok, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Esam Khaja showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Malik Al Abdullah, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. In the 31st minute, Basem Abo Al Hasan reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Zahid Al Sallal. The goal made the score 1-0. Salam Al Nasser kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. In the 41st match minute, Harpurhey AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Anas Al Harban to maneuver through the defense. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Edrees Al Matrok was the one to do the kick off. Zaher Kamal fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zahid Al Sallal having to interfere. Abdelnaser Khaja hit a great freekick 55 minutes into the match. A collision led to Beccles City getting a freekick after 57 minutes play. Yazeed Al Herz hit a great ball. The supporters of Beccles City booed when Harpurhey AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jamal Al Matrok didn't get a good kick on the ball. Malik Al Abdullah sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Harpurhey AFC's Esam Khaja got control of the ball when Malik Al Abdullah tried to sneak it across the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Basem Abo Al Hasan in the 64th minute of play forced Beccles City's goalkeeper Zahid Al Sallal to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 65 minutes into the game, Eyad Al Habshi was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Beccles City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Harpurhey AFC the free kick. The supporters of Harpurhey AFC booed when Beccles City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eyad Al Habshi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Malik Al Abdullah who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 74thth minute tested the skills of Esam Khaja when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Mortada Al Hindi kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. If Edrees Al Matrok had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 85th minute the ball was on its way in behind Harpurhey AFC's goalkeeper Esam Khaja, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. A collision led to Beccles City getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Ghanim Al Kandere hit a great ball. When Salam Al Nasser fell near the penalty area in the 95th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Harpurhey AFC's protests and gave Salam Al Nasser a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Beccles City booed when Harpurhey AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Salam Al Nasser didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 96th minute, Edrees Al Matrok hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Beccles City's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.