League Play-Off

Oswaldtwistle
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. Paddy Thompson started the match with the kick off. Paddy Thompson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 5th minute. Norman Rothery tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Thanks to some nice moves Joe Hurst could shoot a difficult shot in the 6th minute, which Norman Rothery however easily saved by the left post. Ellesmere Port United's Norman Rothery proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Ellesmere Port United from getting a goal against them. In the 16th minute, Louie Fox hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Shane Murray recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Shane Murray sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Christian Butterworth's late challenge caught a Ellesmere Port United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Christian Butterworth helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Oswaldtwistle FC getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Christian Butterworth hit a great ball. 23 minutes into the match, Ellesmere Port United's Daryl Oliver broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. In the 25th minute Shane Murray shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carl Basterfield saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Adrian Hopton's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Carl Basterfield read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. Shane Murray fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Carl Basterfield having to interfere. Carl Basterfield stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Adrian Hopton's shot from short distance in the 29th minute. Shane Murray struck a weak shot in the 30th minute. Carl Basterfield didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ellesmere Port United. Norman Rothery was a little too slow when Paddy Thompson got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 37th minute. The score was now 1-1. If Shane Murray had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Richie Thomas fell near the penalty area in the 45th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Oswaldtwistle FC's protests and gave Richie Thomas a yellow card for diving instead. In the 45th minute, Richie Thomas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 47th minute, Shane Murray got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Shane Murray fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Carl Basterfield having to interfere. Oswaldtwistle FC's Carl Basterfield proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 58th minute of the match, managed to save Oswaldtwistle FC from getting a goal against them. Carl Basterfield showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Shane Murray, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. Oswaldtwistle FC's Carl Basterfield proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 62nd minute of the match, managed to save Oswaldtwistle FC from getting a goal against them. If Paddy Thompson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Paddy Thompson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Adrian Hopton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rex Truscott placed the ball on the penalty spot and got himself ready to shoot. Post out! After some careless play in the Ellesmere Port United defense, Joe Hurst kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Norman Rothery. The Ellesmere Port United fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Norman Rothery should have stopped the shot. During the 90th minute of the match Christian Butterworth completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Christian Butterworth a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. Carl Basterfield didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Adrian Hopton went, in the 96th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-2 was the resulting score.