League Play-Off

Didcot Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Wally Monk got the match started through his kick off. Paul Woolford was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 7 minutes into the match. In the 6th minute, one of Riverside City FC: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 Riverside City FC. The goalkeeper, Sammy Brindley, was totally fooled by Didcot's Sol Pallister, who 9 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Ritchie Banim took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Stuart Burrows, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Stuart Burrows fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ritchie Banim having to interfere. Wally Monk sent away a hard shot on goal in the 19th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 20 played minutes Didcot got a freekick which was hit by Micheal Sheringham. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jermaine Titmus in the 22nd minute of play forced Didcot's goalkeeper Ritchie Banim to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Didcot's Tristan Dibb got a free kick in the 23rd minute. In the 24th minute Jermaine Titmus shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ritchie Banim saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 26 played minutes Didcot got a freekick which was hit by Wayne Jenkins. After a rather tough play, Didcot's Wayne Jenkins got a free kick in the 27th minute. Ritchie Banim showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Connor Linford, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. After having played for 36 minutes, Jermaine Titmus managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Riverside City FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jermaine Titmus was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a rather tough play, Riverside City FC's Wally Monk got a free kick in the 37th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Didcot's zone, Gareth Nailor stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ritchie Banim came out of the goal and Gareth Nailor tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 41 minutes into the match, Riverside City FC's Jermaine Titmus sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Ritchie Banim narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Stuart Burrows in the 42nd minute of play forced Didcot's goalkeeper Ritchie Banim to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 44 minutes, Connor Linford mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Riverside City FC and the Didcot players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 44th minute, Connor Linford hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 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.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Vic Ely made a kick off. Jermaine Titmus could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 53rd minute of the match, but Ritchie Banim made a huge save. Stuart Burrows recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 62 minutes into the match, Wayne Jenkins notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of Riverside City FC's Sammy Brindley. Sammy Brindley was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Stuart Burrows struck a weak shot in the 66th minute. Ritchie Banim didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Riverside City FC. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Connor Linford managed to get in a good position for a shot. Riverside City FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Connor Linford was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ritchie Banim breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 70th minute Tristan Dibb shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sammy Brindley saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ritchie Banim was out of position in the 73 minute of play, and Connor Linford capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Connor Linford really showed his touch with that goal: 2-1. 85 minutes into the match, Didcot's goalkeeper Ritchie Banim had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jermaine Titmus. Stuart Burrows fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ritchie Banim having to interfere. Tristan Dibb kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. In the 91st minute, Connor Linford fired a really elegant long shot, but Ritchie Banim threw himself and managed to get hold of the ball just in front of the right post. Ritchie Banim made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Wally Monk in the 95th minute of play. Many of Riverside City FC's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Riverside City FC may have spent more time on the ball, but Didcot were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.