League Play-Off

Barhill
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Will Floyd who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 9thth minute tested the skills of Mick Hold when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Martyn Clarkson blasted a shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Alexander Monkhouse having to make a save. When Zack Clough fell near the penalty area in the 15th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Barhill City's protests and gave Zack Clough a yellow card for diving instead. After 15 played minutes Barhill City got a freekick which was hit by Zack Clough. Alexander Monkhouse took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Martyn Clarkson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Martyn Clarkson took the ball and in the 19 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Alexander Monkhouse. Alexander Monkhouse dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. In the 22nd minute, Francis Coates 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. After a defensive mix-up in Chester's zone, Will Floyd stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mick Hold came out of the goal and Will Floyd tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Mick Hold took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Francis Coates, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 31st minute, Will Floyd 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. Alexander Monkhouse showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Keith Taylor, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. With an all-out effort, Barhill City's Mick Hold threw himself towards the right post 36 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Francis Coates, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Keith Taylor sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Martyn Clarkson in the 43rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Alexander Monkhouse prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 45th minute, Camron Symons hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard shot 47 in the game by Will Floyd from a close distance when the talented Mick Hold managed to make a qualified save. Chester's players were relieved. The Barhill City players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Chester were winning 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Martyn Clarkson to make the kick off. After 51 played minutes Barhill City got a freekick which was hit by Ross Whieldon. Alexander Monkhouse made an important save on a dangerous shot by Keith Taylor in the 52nd minute. A collision led to Chester getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Phillip Budden hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 62nd minute, Francis Coates managed to get in a good position for a shot. Barhill City's supporters rose to their feet, but Francis Coates was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Mick Hold breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Will Floyd received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Mick Hold tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Chester's Mick Hold played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Francis Coates in the 65th minute of play. If Will Floyd had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 68 minutes into the match, Chester's goal looked a bit too open when Will Floyd came free, but Mick Hold reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Phillip Budden fell near the penalty area in the 69th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Chester's protests and gave Phillip Budden a yellow card for diving instead. Phillip Budden hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Chester's zone, Will Floyd stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mick Hold came out of the goal and Will Floyd tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 80 played minutes Chester got a freekick which was hit by Brendon Steadman. Will Floyd fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mick Hold having to interfere. Francis Coates sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Alexander Monkhouse came out of the goal in the 91st minute to try and stop a shot by Chester's Keith Taylor. But to his dismay, Keith Taylor quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. The Barhill City supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Chester's performance. The match ended with a win for Chester.