League Play-Off

Bedford Bridge
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Benji Armitstead might have been able to make a better finish in the 5th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Blair Carragher. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Benji Armitstead ran back to his position shaking his head. Benji Armitstead struck a weak shot in the 7th minute. Blair Carragher didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Halifax. Benji Armitstead fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Blair Carragher having to interfere. Rich Bailey's late challenge caught a Halifax's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rich Bailey helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Bedford City's Rich Bailey got a free kick in the 14th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rodd Stubbs in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Blair Carragher saved Bedford City from getting behind. The supporters of Halifax booed when Bedford City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rich Bailey didn't get a good kick on the ball. Calum Harris made a great header on Halifax's corner, it was just that Bedford City's Blair Carragher managed to reach the ball for a save. Rich Bailey hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. Blair Carragher took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Benji Armitstead, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Curtis Sheehan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Graham Gallagher, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Malcolm Widdrington hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. Benji Armitstead sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Benji Armitstead fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Blair Carragher having to interfere. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Graham Gallagher stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Bedford City's Blair Carragher proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 51st minute of the match, managed to save Bedford City from getting a goal against them. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Benji Armitstead managed to get in a good position for a shot. Halifax's supporters rose to their feet, but Benji Armitstead was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Blair Carragher breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Blair Carragher took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rodd Stubbs, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rodd Stubbs received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Blair Carragher tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Blair Carragher was out of position in the 60 minute of play, and Rodd Stubbs capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Rodd Stubbs really showed his touch with that goal: 0-1. After a rather tough play, Halifax's Malcolm Widdrington got a free kick in the 65th minute. When Sebastien Adams fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Bedford City's protests and gave Sebastien Adams a yellow card for diving instead. In the 74th match minute, Bedford City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sebastien Adams to maneuver through the defense. In the 74th minute of the match Malcolm Widdrington sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Blair Carragher skillfully saved the ball. If Rodd Stubbs had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 79th minute, Benji Armitstead 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. Benji Armitstead was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 85th minute. Halifax's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. In the 87th match minute, Bedford City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tyler Stride to maneuver through the defense. 92 minutes into the game, Nathanial Birchall was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Bedford City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Halifax the free kick. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 92nd minute of the game. One of Bedford City:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Halifax:s goal. The goalkeeper, Blair Carragher, was totally fooled by Halifax's Malcolm Widdrington, who 94 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side.