League Play-Off

Ashton Under Hill
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Wally Lynch got the match started through his kick off. Alex Akins came out of the goal in the 3rd minute to try and stop a shot by Dream United FC's Damon Pickford. But to his dismay, Damon Pickford quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. 6 minutes into the match, Lenny Crawshaw notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Ashton Under Hill City's Alex Akins. Alex Akins was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Alex Akins took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lenny Crawshaw, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 11 minutes into the match, Ashton Under Hill City's goal looked a bit too open when Damon Pickford came free, but Alex Akins reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lenny Crawshaw sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 14th minute, Dream United FC's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Wally Lynch fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. After 18 played minutes Dream United FC got a freekick which was hit by Damon Pickford. Dream United FC's Adrian Welch proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 24th minute of the match, managed to save Dream United FC from getting a goal against them. An unexpectedly hard shot by Abraham Booth in the 25th minute of play forced Ashton Under Hill City's goalkeeper Alex Akins to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Damon Pickford's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alex Akins was relentless in the 27th minute of the game. 28 minutes into the game, Dream United FC's Lenny Crawshaw nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Alex Akins made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. 33 minutes into the match, Damon Pickford had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Alex Akins. Ashton Under Hill City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Damon Pickford was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-4. Adrian Welch made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patrick Hanson in the 44th minute of play. The supporters of Ashton Under Hill City booed when Dream United FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Damon Pickford didn't get a good kick on the ball. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-4 lead.

The wind increased when Lenny Crawshaw made the kick off in the second half. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Patrick Hanson during the 56th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 57 played minutes Ashton Under Hill City got a freekick which was hit by Patrick Hanson. After 58 played minutes Dream United FC got a freekick which was hit by Sean Bland. Dream United FC's Adrian Welch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Patrick Hanson in the 59th minute of play. Thanks to some nice moves Abraham Booth could shoot a difficult shot in the 61st minute, which Alex Akins however easily saved by the left post. If Sean Bland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Patrick Hanson's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Adrian Welch read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 67th minute of play. Ollie Holroyd's late challenge caught a Dream United FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ollie Holroyd helped the player get up and apologised. After 70 played minutes Lenny Crawshaw rounded Ashton Under Hill City's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 0-5. After some fancy dribbling in the 74th minute, Patrick Hanson managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ashton Under Hill City's supporters rose to their feet, but Patrick Hanson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Adrian Welch breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 82nd minute, Patrick Hanson made a precise shot to the right of Adrian Welch. Dream United FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-5. If Patrick Hanson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Patrick Hanson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 97th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dream United FC were delighted with the way they had won the match. They had held their defensive line well and made the most of their chances, to claim a victory over Ashton Under Hill City's much stronger midfield.