League Play-Off

Hackney Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Rio Rowell took the kick off in the first half of the match. Les Ring showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rio Rowell in the 3rd minute of the match. Huey Garforth stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Al Potterton's shot from short distance in the 10th minute. Dion Blacksmith fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Les Ring having to interfere. Les Ring showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dion Blacksmith in the 16th minute of the match. If Dion Blacksmith had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Les Ring showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Dion Blacksmith, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Dom Ellershaw struck a weak shot in the 22nd minute. Huey Garforth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Hackney FC. 24 minutes into the game, Dom Ellershaw cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Huey Garforth was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Zane Crabtree hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. A collision led to Hackney FC getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Dylon Hewitt hit a great ball. In the 36th minute of the match Alan Lemerond shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Les Ring showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. 45 minutes into the match, Congresbury's Dion Blacksmith sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Les Ring narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 47th minute of the match, Al Potterton tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Huey Garforth saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. 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.

The wind increased when Al Potterton made the kick off in the second half. Rio Rowell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 54th minute. Les Ring tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Les Ring made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rio Rowell in the 59th minute of play. In the 66th minute Dom Ellershaw shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Huey Garforth saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of Hackney FC booed when Congresbury was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Scott Griggs didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 70 played minutes Congresbury got a freekick which was hit by Crispin Phippard. If Rio Rowell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Hackney FC's Zane Crabtree got a free kick in the 83rd minute. A collision led to Hackney FC getting a freekick after 85 minutes play. Al Potterton hit a great ball. Huey Garforth showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Al Potterton, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. Congresbury's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.