League Play-Off

Rudston Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Ted Hitchcock started the match with the kick off. After a rather tough play, Sunderland's Teddy Budden got a free kick in the 2nd minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 4th minute, Ted Hitchcock managed to get in a good position for a shot. Topsham's supporters rose to their feet, but Ted Hitchcock 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. In the 7th minute the ball was on its way in behind Topsham's goalkeeper Stewart Cook, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 7th minute, Romeo Bacon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 9 minutes into the match, Topsham's goalkeeper Stewart Cook had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Derek Gavan. Blair Hoult struck a weak shot in the 10th minute. Stewart Cook didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sunderland. Derek Gavan scored 1-0 in the 15th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Stewart Cook, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Topsham's attack was well implemented in the 19th minute, but when Ted Hitchcock was about to shoot he didn't get a good hit on the ball and it hit the crossbar and flew over. Goal Kick. When Ted Hitchcock came up free with the goalie in the 20th minute, the Topsham 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 Ted Hitchcock couldn't finish the play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Blair Hoult in the 30th minute of play forced Topsham's goalkeeper Stewart Cook to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Derek Gavan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 35th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Romeo Bacon blasted a shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Stevie Brooks having to make a save. Nick Winehouse charged in rather forcefully in the 39th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nick Winehouse the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Blair Hoult in the 46th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Stewart Cook prevented the ball from getting in the gole.

59 minutes into the match, Sunderland's goalkeeper Stevie Brooks had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Rob Woodier. The supporters of Topsham booed when Sunderland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alec Cheesman didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Blair Hoult had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. If Derek Gavan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rob Woodiers short, quick shot in the 70thth minute got Stevie Brooks to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Sunderland's Stevie Brooks played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ted Hitchcock in the 78th minute of play. Stewart Cook took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Blair Hoult, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Blair Hoult sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Sunderland's Derek Gavan in the 86th minute got a chance for a shot 86th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Topsham's goalie prevented a goal. Martyn Hogg recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.