League Play-Off

Canterbury
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Carl Appleton kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. Skelmersdale's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Ruben Mellon 6 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-0. In the 9th minute, Jake Gibbs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 10 minutes into the match, Ryan Woolcock sent off a long shot that looked like it was going straight into the goal, but because Steven Haugue threw himself in his full length he managed to grip the ball by the left post, and there was no goal for Ryan Woolcock this time. 13 minutes into the match, Skelmersdale's goalkeeper Steven Haugue had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ruben Mellon. Steven Haugue took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Woolcock, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 21 minutes into the match, Canterbury's goal looked a bit too open when Denzil Mulford came free, but Martyn English reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Steven Haugue showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ryan Woolcock, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. In the 26th minute, Philip Pitman hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 28th minute Denzil Mulford shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martyn English saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Alf Basham fell near the penalty area in the 30th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Canterbury's protests and gave Alf Basham a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Canterbury getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Alf Basham hit a great ball. After 31 played minutes, Skelmersdale's Drew Llyod shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Martyn English 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 Skelmersdale reached it. The crowd rose to their feet as Ryan Woolcock kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Steven Haugue. That made the score 2-0 in the 42 minute of play. Joe Marriott sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 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.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ryan Woolcock to make the kick off. Joe Marriott struck a weak shot in the 52nd minute. Martyn English didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Skelmersdale. 57 minutes into the game, Canterbury's Ryan Woolcock nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Steven Haugue made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-0. The audience was convinced that Ryan Woolcock's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Steven Haugue was relentless in the 62nd minute of the game. Martyn English showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Denzil Mulford in the 68th minute of the match. Ruben Mellon fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Steven Haugue having to interfere. Philip Pitman charged in rather forcefully in the 71st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Philip Pitman the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Canterbury's Philip Pitman got a free kick in the 72nd minute. Steven Haugue came out of the goal in the 74th minute to try and stop a shot by Canterbury's Ryan Woolcock. But to his dismay, Ryan Woolcock quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 4-0. After 77 played minutes Skelmersdale got a freekick which was hit by Blair Scholes. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ruben Mellon in the 78th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Steven Haugue prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After 82 played minutes Canterbury got a freekick which was hit by Alf Basham. In the 85th minute of the match, Joe Marriott got a very nice opportunity to score, but Martyn English was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Denzil Mulford sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 88 played minutes Canterbury got a freekick which was hit by Alf Basham. Steven Haugue showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Blair Griffin, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. Steven Haugue made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ryan Woolcock in the 91st minute of play. Carl Appleton hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. For all the effort they put into the match, the Skelmersdale players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Canterbury.