League Play-Off

Cheshunt Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dean Gaskell stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Felix Poynton's shot from short distance in the 5th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Charles Slater got free with Dean Gaskell in the 7th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After a rather tough play, Cheshunt's Derek Clark got a free kick in the 8th minute. Jeremy Mortimer, 9 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. Dale Davis blasted a shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Noel Styles having to make a save. A hard shot 15 in the game by Stu Woodcock from a close distance when the talented Dean Gaskell managed to make a qualified save. All-blacks's players were relieved. After 17 minutes of play, Cheshunt's Stu Woodcock made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dean Gaskell was left in no man's land by his defense there! Bradley Waller hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Cheshunt's Noel Styles played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dale Davis in the 23rd minute of play. 25 minutes into the match, Cheshunt's goal looked a bit too open when Dale Davis came free, but Noel Styles reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 26th minute, Charles Slater hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When the match had gone on for 28 minutes, Gerry Dennison put it in 1-1 from a short distance just to the right of Noel Styles. All-blacks's Dale Davis got a good chance for a goal in the 31st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Noel Styles made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gerry Dennison in the 36th minute of play. When All-blacks's Dale Davis in the 37th minute got a chance for a shot 37th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cheshunt's goalie prevented a goal. Charles Slater charged in rather forcefully in the 42nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Charles Slater the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 45th minute of the match All-blacks got a corner. Cheshunt's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Jeremy Mortimer ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led All-blacks's Jeremy Mortimer to fire away a dangerous shot which Noel Styles despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Paddy Rawson hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. In the 53rd minute the ball was on its way in behind All-blacks's goalkeeper Dean Gaskell, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The supporters of All-blacks booed when Cheshunt was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Charles Slater didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 61stth minute of the game Dale Davis who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Cheshunt's Noel Styles was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 63 minutes into the match, Cheshunt's goal looked a bit too open when Dale Davis came free, but Noel Styles reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Noel Styles stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Dale Davis's shot from short distance in the 69th minute. Gerry Dennison received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Noel Styles tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 77th minute, Cheshunt's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Dale Davis fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. A collision led to Cheshunt getting a freekick after 84 minutes play. Garth Southgate hit a great ball. After 85 minutes, Tommy Radcliffe mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the All-blacks and the Cheshunt players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Cheshunt booed when All-blacks was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tommy Radcliffe didn't get a good kick on the ball. Garth Southgate sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Cheshunt's Noel Styles got control of the ball when Gerry Dennison tried to sneak it across the goal line. The All-blacks supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing All-blacks would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.