League Play-Off

Gateshead
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, 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. Kev Carroll started the match with the kick off. A collision led to Dove Holes United getting a freekick after 4 minutes play. Pierre Collingwood hit a great ball. Kev Carroll sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gordon Palmer in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rodney Faith saved Gateshead United from getting behind. Camron Dexter's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 16thth minute, Kirk Vaughan skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. When Guy Beadel fell near the penalty area in the 22nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gateshead United's protests and gave Guy Beadel a yellow card for diving instead. In the 21st minute, one of Gateshead United: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 Gateshead United. Gordon Palmer fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rodney Faith having to interfere. The crowd rose to their feet as Gateshead United's Wes Creighton slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Kirk Vaughan. That made the score 1-0 after 31 minutes of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gordon Palmer in the 37th minute of play forced Gateshead United's goalkeeper Rodney Faith to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Gateshead United's zone, Clive Winehouse stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rodney Faith came out of the goal and Clive Winehouse tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gordon Palmer stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Antony Teague hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. With a little luck, Gateshead United's Rodney Faith got control of the ball when Clive Winehouse tried to sneak it across the goal line. Max Castledine took the ball and in the 59 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Rodney Faith. Rodney Faith dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Clive Winehouse fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rodney Faith having to interfere. Wes Creighton blasted a shot towards the goal in the 68th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Kirk Vaughan having to make a save. After a rather tough play, Dove Holes United's Ian Downing got a free kick in the 69th minute. Gordon Palmer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Wes Creighton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Kirk Vaughan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Clive Winehouse struck a weak shot in the 79th minute. Rodney Faith didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Dove Holes United. With a little luck, Gateshead United's Rodney Faith got control of the ball when Clive Winehouse tried to sneak it across the goal line. Guy Beadel hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Sammy Huxtable scored 2-1 in the 91st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Kirk Vaughan, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The audience was convinced that Gordon Palmer's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Rodney Faith was relentless in the 96th minute of the game. Dove Holes United's supporters were dissatisfied at the end of the match because Gateshead United had won, even though Dove Holes United had held more of the ball.