League Play-Off

Stanley Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Franz Beesley took the kick off in the first half of the match. Stanley's Frank Simms got a good chance for a goal in the 4th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The audience thought a goal was coming when Denis Church got free with Derek Atkinson in the 6th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Derek Atkinson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Denis Church in the 7th minute. Lenny Halliday sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lenny Halliday sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 20 minutes of play, Stanley's Patrick Warner made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Derek Atkinson was left in no man's land by his defense there! With a little luck, Black Universe's Derek Atkinson got control of the ball when Denis Church tried to sneak it across the goal line. Franz Beesley received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 27th minute. Andre Bale tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Stanley's Andre Bale played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Richie Mahon in the 37th minute of play. Gus Key hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. Derek Atkinson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Frank Simms in the 46th minute of the match. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Frank Simms was the one to do the kick off. After 53 played minutes Stanley got a freekick which was hit by Giles Hughes. Andre Bale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lucas Cookson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Callum Swain sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Callum Swain fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Andre Bale having to interfere. Lenny Halliday fired away a difficult shot at goal in the 73rd minute. He almost succeeded, but the ball went over. It was a very nice shot. After having played for 77 minutes, Callum Swain managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Black Universe's supporters crossed their fingers, but Callum Swain was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 79 minutes into the match, Stanley's goalkeeper Andre Bale had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Callum Swain. Callum Swain might have been able to make a better finish in the 85th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Andre Bale. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Callum Swain ran back to his position shaking his head. 88 minutes into the match, Stanley's goal looked a bit too open when Franz Beesley came free, but Andre Bale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 91st minute, Lenny Halliday 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. Black Universe's Lenny Halliday got a good chance for a goal in the 95th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Callum Swain recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 96th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Many of Black Universe's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Black Universe may have spent more time on the ball, but Stanley were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.