League Play-Off

Newcastle-under-Lyme
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Anas Belhouche got the match started through his kick off. Samir Meriem received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 3rd minute. Malik Mezghich tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Samir Meriem had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 8th minute, Jounaidi Choaïb hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 9 minutes into the match, Newcastle-under-Lyme FC's Mekki Sahnouni broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. After a rather tough play, Lichfield's Driss Achoui got a free kick in the 10th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Samir Meriem managed to get in a good position for a shot. Newcastle-under-Lyme FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Samir Meriem was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Malik Mezghich breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Lichfield's Amzun Lounis got a good chance for a goal in the 20th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Abed Meskouri had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Abed Meskouri had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Amzun Lounis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Amar Rebbab made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Amzun Lounis in the 33rd minute of play. The supporters of Lichfield booed when Newcastle-under-Lyme FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antar Amara didn't get a good kick on the ball. Abed Meskouri struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Amar Rebbab didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Lichfield. Idriss Bourebbou hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. Anas Belhouche sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Abed Meskouri made a kick off. Samir Meriem sent away a hard shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 56 minutes into the match, Lichfield's goal looked a bit too open when Anas Belhouche came free, but Malik Mezghich reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 57 minutes, Slimane Sam mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Lichfield and the Newcastle-under-Lyme FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 57th match minute, Lichfield was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Slimane Sam to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Samir Meriem in the 59th minute of play forced Lichfield's goalkeeper Malik Mezghich to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In a very dangerous position, a player in Lichfield fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 63rd minute. Penalty! In the 64th minute there was a penalty for Newcastle-under-Lyme FC. Mekki Sahnouni stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Malik Mezghich. 1-0. Amzun Louniss short, quick shot in the 79thth minute got Amar Rebbab to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Anas Belhouche managed to get in a good position for a shot. Newcastle-under-Lyme FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Anas Belhouche was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Malik Mezghich breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Amar Rebbab came out of the goal in the 87th minute to try and stop a shot by Lichfield's Amzun Lounis. But to his dismay, Amzun Lounis quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. Lichfield's Amzun Lounis got a good chance for a goal in the 96th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Amar Rebbab made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abed Meskouri in the 98th minute of play. Newcastle-under-Lyme FC succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Lichfield had controlled the match.