League Play-Off

Coppull
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when David Turner kicked off to start the match. After a rather tough play, Coppull FC's Mattias Fairbank got a free kick in the 6th minute. Dave Osbourn, 7 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rex Dunne in the 9th minute of play forced Coppull FC's goalkeeper Ashley Bye to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Mattias Fairbank's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Darren Pye-Finch was relentless in the 11th minute of the game. Sam Woolcock received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 13th minute. Ashley Bye tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Darryl Sykes recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Darryl Sykes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Erith's Darren Pye-Finch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by David Turner in the 19th minute of play. A collision led to Erith getting a freekick after 20 minutes play. Frank Higgins hit a great ball. If David Turner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 26th minute David Turner shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Darren Pye-Finch saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Darryl Sykess short, quick shot in the 30thth minute got Darren Pye-Finch to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. If David Turner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. A hard shot 36 in the game by David Turner from a close distance when the talented Darren Pye-Finch managed to make a qualified save. Erith's players were relieved. Frank Higgins kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. Coppull FC's David Turner got a good chance for a goal in the 43rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Frank Higgins fell near the penalty area in the 44th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Erith's protests and gave Frank Higgins a yellow card for diving instead. Frank Higgins hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. Everyone was convinced a goal was close when Coppull FC's David Turner in the 45th minute lifted the ball towards the upper right corner, but Darren Pye-Finch was perfectly placed and prevented a goal for Erith through an amazing save. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Rex Dunne was the one to do the kick off. After 52 played minutes Erith got a freekick which was hit by Archie Jenas. Darryl Sykes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Erith's Frank Higgins got his second yellow card of the match in the 58th minute. The referee ordered Frank Higgins off the ground. In the 59th match minute, Erith was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Frank Higgins to maneuver through the defense. Darryl Sykes recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 60th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Archie Jenas kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. Coppull FC's James Furlong couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Erith. Darren Pye-Finch stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of David Turner's shot from short distance in the 64th minute. 67 minutes into the game, Darryl Sykes cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Darren Pye-Finch was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Erith's Sam Woolcock got a good chance for a goal in the 73rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Erith's zone, Darryl Sykes stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Darren Pye-Finch came out of the goal and Darryl Sykes tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Coppull FC booed when Erith was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rex Dunne didn't get a good kick on the ball. If David Turner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 3-0 became the score in the 85th minute when Darryl Sykes elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. In the 88th minute Darryl Sykes shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Darren Pye-Finch saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by David Turner in the 91st minute of play forced Erith's goalkeeper Darren Pye-Finch to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Coppull FC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.