League Play-Off

Padiham Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Stan White took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Padiham's zone, Stan White stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Travis Stewart came out of the goal and Stan White tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Travis Stewart showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Stan White, who was totally free with the ball in the 19th minute. The supporters of Ebley City booed when Padiham was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Benji Housham didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 21stth minute of the game Dean Basham who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Padiham's Travis Stewart was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Travis Stewart came out of the goal in the 24th minute to try and stop a shot by Ebley City's Dean Basham. But to his dismay, Dean Basham quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Harvey Ford kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. Stan White fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Travis Stewart having to interfere. After having played for 36 minutes, Dean Basham managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ebley City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Dean Basham was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Stan White had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sol Simms stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Harvey Ford's shot from short distance in the 41st minute. After a rather tough play, Ebley City's Alex Goodwick got a free kick in the 41st minute. Dean Basham received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Travis Stewart tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some careless play in the Padiham defense, Stan White kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Travis Stewart. The Padiham fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Travis Stewart should have stopped the shot.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Jonny Merrill was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Harvey Ford in the 55th minute of play forced Ebley City's goalkeeper Sol Simms to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Harvey Ford's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Sol Simms read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 56th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 59th minute, Jonny Merrill managed to get in a good position for a shot. Padiham's supporters rose to their feet, but Jonny Merrill was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Sol Simms breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. A collision led to Padiham getting a freekick after 63 minutes play. Benji Housham hit a great ball. Ebley City's Dean Basham got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Harvey Ford received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Sol Simms tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Dean Basham had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Ebley City's Dean Basham got a good chance for a goal in the 79th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 84 played minutes Padiham got a freekick which was hit by Len Housham. After recieving a nice pass, Ebley City's Mike Byfield tried to score from far away in the 85th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. The Padiham fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Ebley City were clearly better and deserved to take the win.