League Play-Off

Barnstaple Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) After 11 played minutes Barnstaple United got a freekick which was hit by Scott Duffy. 19 minutes into the match, Barnstaple United's goal looked a bit too open when Jools Piercy came free, but Dean Hayes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 19th match minute, Barnstaple United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gary Mallaby to maneuver through the defense. Leytonstone City's Benji Flower played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Garry Dearden in the 26th minute of play. Jools Piercy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 30th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 32 minutes, Chip Garlick mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Barnstaple United and the Leytonstone City players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 32nd minute, Chip Garlick hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Leytonstone City's zone, Blair Longstaff stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benji Flower came out of the goal and Blair Longstaff tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 41 minutes, Nicholas Partridge mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Leytonstone City and the Barnstaple United players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 44th minute, Felix Barfield sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Leytonstone City's Benji Flower didn't even have to move. Benji Flower took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Garry Dearden, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jools Piercy to make the kick off. If Jools Piercy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 64 minutes into the game, Jools Piercy was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Leytonstone City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Barnstaple United the free kick. Jools Piercy kicked well hit freekick during the 64th minute of the match. Benji Flower made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Garry Dearden in the 69th minute of play. 72 minutes in the game, Blair Longstaff dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jools Piercy in the 75th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dean Hayes saved Barnstaple United from getting behind. In the 82nd minute Blair Longstaff shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benji Flower saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 83rd minute, Jools Piercy made a precise shot to the right of Dean Hayes. Barnstaple United's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Garry Dearden 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. Leytonstone City's attack was well implemented in the 93rd minute, but when Gus Simpson was about to shoot he didn't get a good hit on the ball and it hit the crossbar and flew over. Goal Kick. Gus Simpson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 97th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dean Hayes having to interfere. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Leytonstone City walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.