League Play-Off

Buckfast Abbey
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Michael Broom made the kick off which started today's match. After some fancy dribbling in the 3rd minute, Dominic Clemence managed to get in a good position for a shot. AFC Raleigh's supporters rose to their feet, but Dominic Clemence was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Devon Rothwell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Michael Broom blasted a shot towards the goal in the 5th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Devon Rothwell having to make a save. Dave Rothery might have been able to make a better finish in the 15th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Lance La Forte. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Dave Rothery ran back to his position shaking his head. AFC Raleigh's Wally Cheesman suffered a sore knee after 21 minutes and couldn't finish the game. When Michael Broom fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored AFC Raleigh's protests and gave Michael Broom a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, AFC Raleigh's Michael Broom got a free kick in the 25th minute. In the 27th minute Toby Butt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lance La Forte saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Wayne Francis kicked well hit freekick during the 28th minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Den Hamilton during the 30th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 30th minute, Den Hamilton hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Wayne Francis fell near the penalty area in the 32nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored AFC Raleigh's protests and gave Wayne Francis a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, AFC Raleigh's Wayne Francis got a free kick in the 32nd minute. Marc Darling's late challenge caught a Hampton in Arden AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marc Darling helped the player get up and apologised. In the 34th minute, one of AFC Raleigh:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for AFC Raleigh. A hard shot by Bart Sharples from long distance, 39 minutes into the match, got Devon Rothwell's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. Michael Broom fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Devon Rothwell having to interfere. With a little luck, Hampton in Arden AFC's Devon Rothwell got control of the ball when Dominic Clemence tried to sneak it across the goal line. Wayne Francis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 45th minute of the match, but Devon Rothwell made a huge save. 46 minutes into the game, AFC Raleigh's Dominic Clemence nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Devon Rothwell made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Dave Rothery to strike the kick off in the second half. Devon Rothwell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Wayne Francis in the 55th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dominic Clemence in the 58th minute of play forced Hampton in Arden AFC's goalkeeper Devon Rothwell to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Devon Rothwell stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Dominic Clemence's shot from short distance in the 60th minute. When Wayne Francis was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 66 minutes had been played. Wayne Francis kicked well hit freekick during the 67th minute of the match. Dave Rothery was extremely unlucky when he, in the 69th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. Michael Broom recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 79th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Dave Rothery's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Lance La Forte read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 85th minute of play. Hampton in Arden AFC's Devon Rothwell played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Duncan Ingram in the 93rd minute of play. Michael Broom hit a great freekick 97 minutes into the match. AFC Raleigh walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.