League Play-Off

Birch House
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tosh Osbourn took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 5th minute, Tosh Osbourn left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Thurlaston fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Brett Porter sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 16 played minutes, Thurlaston's Brendon Forbes shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper James Picker came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Thurlaston reached it. Tosh Osbourn received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. James Picker tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 21 minutes into the match, Birch House City's goal looked a bit too open when Lance Hayes came free, but James Picker reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Thurlaston's Lance Hayes in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Birch House City's goalie prevented a goal. Birch House City's James Picker played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tosh Osbourn in the 29th minute of play. After having played for 31 minutes, Brett Porter managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birch House City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Brett Porter was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a little luck, Thurlaston's Louis Jordoan got control of the ball when Brett Porter tried to sneak it across the goal line. After having played for 34 minutes, Felix Littlechild managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birch House City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Felix Littlechild was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The Thurlaston fans' excitement grew in the 38th match minute when Thurlaston's Lance Hayes looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Lance Hayes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 45th match minute, Birch House City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Danny Breckin to maneuver through the defense.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Felix Littlechild to strike the kick off in the second half. Louis Jordoan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Littlechild in the 53rd minute of play. In the 58th of the match, Tosh Osbourn tried to place the ball in the upper right corner, but James Picker got in the way and made a wonderful save. After some fancy dribbling in the 68th minute, Tosh Osbourn managed to get in a good position for a shot. Thurlaston's supporters rose to their feet, but Tosh Osbourn was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. James Picker breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Felix Littlechild had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 73rd match minute, Thurlaston was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Wes Timiney to maneuver through the defense. Louis Jordoan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Felix Littlechild in the 75th minute of the match. With his leg James Picker managed to avoid a goal in the 81stth minute, when Thurlaston's Lance Hayes fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tosh Osbourn in the 84th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck James Picker prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lance Hayes got free with James Picker in the 85th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Lance Hayes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 91st minute. James Picker tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. James Picker made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tosh Osbourn in the 93rd minute of play. Thurlaston's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.