League Play-Off

Brierley Hill Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Carl Styles got the match started through his kick off. A collision led to Clay Cross City getting a freekick after 4 minutes play. Bruce Warner hit a great ball. 8 minutes into the match, Clay Cross City's goal looked a bit too open when Benji Searle came free, but Austin Howarth reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 11 minutes, Benji Searle managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Brierley Hill's supporters crossed their fingers, but Benji Searle was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Clay Cross City's zone, Grant Crane stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Austin Howarth came out of the goal and Grant Crane tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With a little luck, Clay Cross City's Austin Howarth got control of the ball when Grant Crane tried to sneak it across the goal line. Grant Crane kicked a quick shot right in front of the goal in the 20thth minute. Though ot was a great shot Clay Cross City's keeper Austin Howarth was sill able to block leaving the score board unchanged. In the 21st match minute, Clay Cross City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfred Croxford to maneuver through the defense. Grant Crane received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Austin Howarth tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 31 minutes into the game, Benji Searle lined in a short shot 1-0 behind a frustrated Austin Howarth. When Benji Searle, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 35 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Austin Howarth was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. Austin Howarth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Benji Searle in the 37th minute of play. When Bruce Warner fell near the penalty area in the 38th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Clay Cross City's protests and gave Bruce Warner a yellow card for diving instead. 39 minutes into the match, Clay Cross City's goalkeeper Austin Howarth had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Grant Crane. Benji Searle sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Grant Crane fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Austin Howarth having to interfere. With a little luck, Clay Cross City's Austin Howarth got control of the ball when Grant Crane tried to sneak it across the goal line. 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.

When Brierley Hill's Grant Crane in the 54th minute got a chance for a shot 54th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Clay Cross City's goalie prevented a goal. Oscar Horn kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. 57 minutes into the match, Benji Searle had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Austin Howarth. Clay Cross City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Benji Searle was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. After 59 played minutes Clay Cross City got a freekick which was hit by Bruce Warner. Grant Crane struck a weak shot in the 62nd minute. Austin Howarth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Brierley Hill. Clay Cross City's Austin Howarth played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Grant Crane in the 64th minute of play. Andre Cain recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 67th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Austin Howarth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Benji Searle in the 69th minute of play. In the 72nd minute Grant Crane shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Austin Howarth saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 74 minutes into the game, Brierley Hill's Grant Crane nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Austin Howarth made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-0. Austin Howarth stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Benji Searle's shot from short distance in the 77th minute. In a very dangerous position, a player in Brierley Hill fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 80th minute. Penalty! The referee gave Clay Cross City a penalty, 82 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Stu Warne, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Brierley Hill's Mark Lemerond. 3-1. In the 89th minute, Leon Capes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Grant Crane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When the match had gone on for 92 minutes, Benji Searle put it in 5-1 from a short distance just to the right of Austin Howarth. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Grant Crane in the 97th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Austin Howarth prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Mark Lemerond made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alfred Croxford in the 99th minute. For all the effort they put into the match, the Clay Cross City players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Brierley Hill.