League Play-Off

Carlin How
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, 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. Huey Dawson started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute, Huey Dawson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Ashley Coulthard received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 5th minute. Raimundo Heli tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 9 played minutes Carlin How Unite got a freekick which was hit by Julian Coates. After having played for 10 minutes, Keith Galloway managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Steaua's supporters crossed their fingers, but Keith Galloway was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dean Baldwin in the 15th minute of play forced Carlin How Unite's goalkeeper Nicky Bensley to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Steaua's Dean Baldwin got a good chance for a goal in the 18th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Nicky Bensley made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Baldwin in the 25th minute of play. Jonathan Smikle made in the 27th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Julian Coates immediately put the ball in play. 30 minutes into the match, Carlin How Unite's goal looked a bit too open when Dean Baldwin came free, but Nicky Bensley reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Dean Baldwin's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Nicky Bensley was relentless in the 45th minute of the game. A nice corner shot did that Mike Meadowcroft got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Nicky Bensley quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Dean Baldwin stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Nicky Bensley made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Baldwin in the 51st minute of play. 52 minutes into the game, Nath Pearce was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Carlin How Unite's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Steaua the free kick. After a rather tough play, Carlin How Unite's Nath Pearce got a free kick in the 52nd minute. In the 53rd minute of the match Mike Meadowcroft sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Nicky Bensley skillfully saved the ball. A collision led to Carlin How Unite getting a freekick after 53 minutes play. Julian Coates hit a great ball. Dean Baldwin who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 58thth minute tested the skills of Nicky Bensley when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Nicky Bensley was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Keith Galloway showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-2 in the 60 minute of play. Luke Brearley hit a great freekick 64 minutes into the match. 0-3 became the score in the 70th minute when Dean Baldwin elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. When Steaua's Dean Baldwin in the 73rd minute got a chance for a shot 73rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Carlin How Unite's goalie prevented a goal. After a rather tough play, Carlin How Unite's Ashley Coulthard got a free kick in the 77th minute. Nicky Bensley didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 78th minute, which inside left pole to 0-4. If Huey Dawson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 83rd minute of the game Ronnie Kershaw made a throw-in which Steven Bensley played forward. A throw-in in the 90th minute of the game was made by Ronnie Kershaw with Robert Atkinson as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. Steaua's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.