League Play-Off

Southall Stadium fc
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Roger Dryden kicked off to start the match. Duncan Whittingham was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 3rd minute. Southall's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. CJ Dry's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Thom Lineker firmly grabbed it by the left post. CJ Dry's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Thom Lineker read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 9th minute of play. In the 13th minute Cliff Cox shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vance Hindmarsh saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Manchester United's Thom Lineker got control of the ball when CJ Dry tried to sneak it across the goal line. CJ Dry who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 15thth minute tested the skills of Thom Lineker when he managed to save the team from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sean Barraclough in the 23rd minute of play forced Southall's goalkeeper Vance Hindmarsh to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ron Mawson hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. 34 minutes into the match, Southall's goal looked a bit too open when Ron Mawson came free, but Vance Hindmarsh reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Manchester United getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Roger Dryden hit a great ball. CJ Dry fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Thom Lineker having to interfere. Wesley Lydiate struck a weak shot in the 40th minute. Thom Lineker didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Southall. If CJ Dry had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. CJ Dry sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The wind increased when CJ Dry made the kick off in the second half. Cliff Cox struck a weak shot in the 53rd minute. Vance Hindmarsh didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Manchester United. Manchester United's Thom Lineker played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by CJ Dry in the 56th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Southall's Johnny Brooks got a free kick in the 59th minute. If Roger Dryden had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thom Lineker made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from CJ Dry in the 71st minute of play. After having played for 73 minutes, CJ Dry managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Southall's supporters crossed their fingers, but CJ Dry was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 80th minute of the match Toby Longley sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Thom Lineker skillfully saved the ball. In the 86th minute CJ Dry shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Thom Lineker saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Vance Hindmarsh took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cliff Cox, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Manchester United's zone, Wesley Lydiate stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thom Lineker came out of the goal and Wesley Lydiate tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Roger Dryden hit a great freekick 97 minutes into the match. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Southall fully deserved thier win.