League Play-Off

Egham Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Ronny Rutherford started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Pat Wright could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 4th minute of the match, but Simon Bilton made a huge save. Ronny Rutherford struck a weak shot in the 10th minute. Simon Bilton didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for England. If Pat Wright had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Pat Wright sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ronny Rutherford sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 30 minutes into the game, Luke Cheeseman was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rapid Bucharest's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave England the free kick. After 30 played minutes Rapid Bucharest got a freekick which was hit by Luke Cheeseman. After 32 minutes, Todd Ruddock mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the England and the Rapid Bucharest players grew even worse after the yellow card. Todd Ruddock kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. A collision led to England getting a freekick after 33 minutes play. Hayden Bzeu hit a great ball. In the 34th minute of the match Dylon Millman sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Richard Rothwell skillfully saved the ball. Dominik Foggarty sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lance Lambourne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Richard Rothwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Rapid Bucharest getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Dan Smikle hit a great ball. Hayden Bzeu's late challenge caught a Rapid Bucharest's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Hayden Bzeu helped the player get up and apologised. Hayden Bzeu hit a great freekick 48 minutes into the match. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The wind increased when Dominik Foggarty made the kick off in the second half. Dominik Foggarty fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Richard Rothwell having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 59th minute, Lance Lambourne managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rapid Bucharest's supporters rose to their feet, but Lance Lambourne was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Richard Rothwell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Lance Lambourne kicked a quick shot right in front of the goal in the 61stth minute. Though ot was a great shot England's keeper Richard Rothwell was sill able to block leaving the score board unchanged. In the 63rd minute Ronny Rutherford shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Bilton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rapid Bucharest's Simon Bilton played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ronny Rutherford in the 69th minute of play. If Marek Percival had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Lance Lambourne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hayden Bzeu hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. England's defense didn't have a chance, in the 82nd minute, when Dominik Foggarty scored to the left of an out of position Richard Rothwell, making the score, 0-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pat Wright in the 92nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Simon Bilton prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Rapid Bucharest had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.