League Play-Off

Birches Head Wreck
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Birches Head Potters's Cody Duckworth started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After a rather tough play, Birches Head Potters's Rupert Paley got a free kick in the 3rd minute. Birches Head Potters's Nathan Locke played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Casey Caine in the 6th minute of play. 9 minutes into the game, Boston's Casey Caine nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nathan Locke made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Darren Crooks took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cody Duckworth, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Casey Caine sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 23 played minutes Birches Head Potters got a freekick which was hit by Ray Ashby. Nathan Locke didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Alfie Lane went, in the 25th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-2 was the resulting score. Casey Caine received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Nathan Locke tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 31st minute, Alfie Lane ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Nathan Locke was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-3. Boston's Darren Crooks played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cody Duckworth in the 35th minute of play. Birches Head Potters's Zack Whitehead got a good chance for a goal in the 37th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 41 minutes, Alfie Lane made it 0-4 with a short kick to the right side. Birches Head Potters's Nathan Locke tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Zack Whitehead recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 45th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alfie Lane in the 48th minute of play forced Birches Head Potters's goalkeeper Nathan Locke to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-4.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Casey Caine made a kick off. In the 53rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Birches Head Potters's goalkeeper Nathan Locke, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Alfie Lane's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nathan Locke read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 56th minute of play. When Neil Mansell fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Birches Head Potters's protests and gave Neil Mansell a yellow card for diving instead. After 63 played minutes Birches Head Potters got a freekick which was hit by Neil Mansell. Alfie Lane's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 64thth minute, Nathan Locke skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. After a rather tough play, Birches Head Potters's Robert Elliot got a free kick in the 67th minute. Casey Caine blasted a shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Nathan Locke having to make a save. If Casey Caine had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Birches Head Potters booed when Boston was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Graeme Seal didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 83 minutes, Cody Duckworth managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birches Head Potters's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cody Duckworth 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, Boston's Wally Midson got a free kick in the 87th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Piers Llewellyn managed to get in a good position for a shot. Birches Head Potters's supporters rose to their feet, but Piers Llewellyn was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Darren Crooks breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 91 minutes into the game, Birches Head Potters's Zack Whitehead nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Darren Crooks made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-4. After 95 played minutes Birches Head Potters got a freekick which was hit by Robert Elliot. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Boston had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.