League Play-Off

Pondersbridge Stadiu
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) When Dion Smikle came up free with the goalie in the 7th minute, the Cracovia KS 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 Dion Smikle couldn't finish the play. Pondersbridge AFC's Jo Poole played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dion Smikle in the 8th minute of play. Ivor Nicholson hit a great freekick 11 minutes into the match. A collision led to Cracovia KS getting a freekick after 14 minutes play. Simon McDermot hit a great ball. Norman Woolcock was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 15th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. A hard shot 17 in the game by Ray Merchant from a close distance when the talented Orson Boyd managed to make a qualified save. Cracovia KS's players were relieved. Jo Poole showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Dion Smikle, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. In the 23rd minute, Ivor Nicholson 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. Stevie Whittaker struck a weak shot in the 27th minute. Jo Poole didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Cracovia KS. If Stevie Whittaker had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 36 minutes into the match, Pondersbridge AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Stevie Whittaker came free, but Jo Poole reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Pondersbridge AFC's Jo Poole played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dion Smikle in the 37th minute of play. Simon McDermot took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 42nd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Jo Poole. Pondersbridge AFC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. If Dion Smikle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Byron Kemp stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Byron Kemp sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Orson Boyd took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Byron Kemp, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 66th minute, Ivor Nicholson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 67 minutes into the match, Cracovia KS's Carl Malpeli broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Stevie Whittaker fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jo Poole having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ray Merchant in the 78th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Orson Boyd saved Cracovia KS from getting behind. When Johnathan Cookson fell near the penalty area in the 78th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cracovia KS's protests and gave Johnathan Cookson a yellow card for diving instead. In the 79th match minute, Cracovia KS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Johnathan Cookson to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Pondersbridge AFC booed when Cracovia KS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 80 match minutes in a wonderful position. Johnathan Cookson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jo Poole showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dion Smikle in the 84th minute of the match. After having played for 87 minutes, Ray Merchant managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Pondersbridge AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ray Merchant was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Verne Harkness's late challenge caught a Pondersbridge AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Verne Harkness helped the player get up and apologised. In the 88th minute, Verne Harkness hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Dion Smikle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.