League Play-Off

Rudston Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Barry Armitage got the match started through his kick off. In the 2nd minute, Edward Cousins 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 Brooks showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edward Cousins, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. The crowd rose to their feet as Barry Armitage kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Brett Addison. That made the score 1-0 in the 8 minute of play. 11 minutes into the game, Edward Cousins cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Stevie Brooks was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After a rather tough play, Horsham's Quentin Hoskins got a free kick in the 19th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Barry Armitage in the 22nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Brett Addison prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Barry Armitage received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Brett Addison tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Horsham's Graeme Rocastle got a free kick in the 26th minute. 27 minutes into the match, Horsham's goal looked a bit too open when Barry Armitage came free, but Brett Addison reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Sunderland booed when Horsham was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Graeme Rocastle didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sunderland's Barry Armitage got a good chance for a goal in the 29th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Syd Haper sent away a hard shot on goal in the 30th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Edward Cousins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Syd Haper received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 37th minute. Stevie Brooks tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Syd Haper fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Stevie Brooks having to interfere. The supporters of Horsham booed when Sunderland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 42 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alec Cheesman didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Cousins in the 43rd minute of play forced Sunderland's goalkeeper Stevie Brooks to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 44th minute of the match Victor Chadwick shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Stevie Brooks showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Edward Cousins received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Stevie Brooks tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Barry Armitage received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Brett Addison tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Edward Cousins to make the kick off. In the 52nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Horsham's goalkeeper Brett Addison, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Barry Armitage in the 60th minute of play forced Horsham's goalkeeper Brett Addison to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Sunderland's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Martyn Hogg in the 63rd minute. Blair Hoult fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brett Addison having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Syd Haper managed to get in a good position for a shot. Horsham's supporters rose to their feet, but Syd Haper was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Stevie Brooks breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Edward Cousins hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. With a little luck, Sunderland's Stevie Brooks got control of the ball when Edward Cousins tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 81st minute, Edward Cousins 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. Nick Winehouse hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. Horsham's Victor Chadwick shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 88th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Stevie Brooks but with some difficulty. After 90 played minutes Sunderland got a freekick which was hit by Graeme Fairfax. In the 92nd match minute, Sunderland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Billy Lane to maneuver through the defense. 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.