League Play-Off

Bury Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Vance Tomkin took the kick off in the first half of the match. The audience was convinced that Vance Tomkin's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Chesney Illingworth was relentless in the 6th minute of the game. After a defensive mix-up in Bury FC's zone, Marty Rawlings stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Perry Claydon came out of the goal and Marty Rawlings tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Marty Rawlings received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Perry Claydon tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Perry Claydon showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Stuart Lynch, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. Perry Claydon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marty Rawlings in the 17th minute of play. In the 21st match minute, Bury FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mickey Hitchen to maneuver through the defense. In the 25th minute, Owen Henman 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. 30 minutes into the match, Honiton's Marty Rawlings sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Perry Claydon narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Honiton's Chesney Illingworth proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 32nd minute of the match, managed to save Honiton from getting a goal against them. Owen Henman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 35 minutes into the game, Damon Nicholls was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Honiton's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Bury FC the free kick. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 34th minute of the game. One of Honiton:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Bury FC:s goal. The goalkeeper, Chesney Illingworth, was totally fooled by Bury FC's Calum Berryman, who 37 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. After 40 played minutes Honiton got a freekick which was hit by Sacha Coogan. After some fancy dribbling in the 43rd minute, Owen Henman managed to get in a good position for a shot. Bury FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Owen Henman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Chesney Illingworth breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Owen Henman recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 45th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

Stuart Lynch sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 57 minutes into the game, Honiton's Marty Rawlings nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Perry Claydon made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. 62 minutes into the game, Mickey Hitchen was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Bury FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Honiton the free kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Vance Tomkin in the 73rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Chesney Illingworth prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After having played for 77 minutes, Owen Henman managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Bury FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Owen Henman was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 79th minute the ball was on its way in behind Bury FC's goalkeeper Perry Claydon, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a rather tough play, Honiton's Sacha Coogan got a free kick in the 81st minute. Perry Claydon was out of position in the 84 minute of play, and Stuart Lynch capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Stuart Lynch really showed his touch with that goal: 1-2. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Marty Rawlings during the 88th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Bury FC booed when Honiton was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marty Rawlings didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sacha Coogan charged in rather forcefully in the 90th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Sacha Coogan the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 95th minute, Dale Beavan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 98th minute Bury FC were awarded a corner. Calum Berryman went to the cornerflag to take it. The Honiton supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Honiton would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.