League Play-Off

Folkestone Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rob Jenas made the kick off which started today's match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Connor Mulford during the 3rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 3rd match minute, Whitton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Connor Mulford to maneuver through the defense. Phillip Westerby made a fantastic save in the 7th minute, when Leo Copsey sent off a good shot on target. Leo Copsey sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Whitton's Phillip Westerby proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 17th minute of the match, managed to save Whitton from getting a goal against them. Rob Jenas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 21 minutes into the match, Folkestone AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Connor Mulford came free, but Nat Wybrow reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nat Wybrow showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Connor Mulford in the 28th minute of the match. A collision led to Folkestone AFC getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Ash Ruddock hit a great ball. If Leo Copsey had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Phillip Westerby made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rob Jenas in the 44th minute of play. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The audience was convinced that Leo Copsey's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Phillip Westerby was relentless in the 52nd minute of the game. Ash Ruddock might have been able to make a better finish in the 55th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Phillip Westerby. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Ash Ruddock ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 56th minute, Ash Ruddock 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. Phillip Westerby took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rob Jenas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Leo Copsey in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Phillip Westerby saved Whitton from getting behind. Phillip Westerby showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Leo Copsey, who was totally free with the ball in the 67th minute. In the 67th match minute, Whitton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Laurence Goldsmith to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rob Jenas in the 70th minute of play forced Whitton's goalkeeper Phillip Westerby to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Rob Jenas, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 74 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Phillip Westerby was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. Leo Copsey struck a weak shot in the 76th minute. Phillip Westerby didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Folkestone AFC. In the 79th match minute, Whitton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nicky Attwood to maneuver through the defense. Leo Copsey received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 81st minute. Phillip Westerby tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Rob Jenas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Phillip Westerby stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rob Jenas's shot from short distance in the 84th minute. When Leo Copsey came up free with the goalie in the 86th minute, the Folkestone AFC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Leo Copsey couldn't finish the play. After a defensive mix-up in Whitton's zone, Rob Jenas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Phillip Westerby came out of the goal and Rob Jenas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In a very dangerous position, a player in Whitton fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 89th minute. Penalty! Connor Mulford received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 95th minute. Nat Wybrow tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Des Martin charged in rather forcefully in the 97th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Des Martin the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Folkestone AFC walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.