League Play-Off

XT Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Dale Lane made the kick off which started today's match. After a rather tough play, Lancing AFC's Seth Warne got a free kick in the 19th minute. After 20 played minutes, Hitchin's Jonathan Nightingale shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Nathan Liddle came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Hitchin reached it. Hitchin's Dale Lane got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After having played for 29 minutes, Ash Picker managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Hitchin's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ash Picker was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 36th minute, Ash Picker managed to get in a good position for a shot. Hitchin's supporters rose to their feet, but Ash Picker was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nathan Liddle breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 41 played minutes Hitchin got a freekick which was hit by Jez Addison. In the 46th minute Ash Picker shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nathan Liddle saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Phillip Delamore was the one to do the kick off. Dale Lane received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Nathan Liddle tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ash Picker blasted a shot towards the goal in the 58th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Nathan Liddle having to make a save. 63 minutes into the game, Dale Lane lined in a short shot 1-1 behind a frustrated Nathan Liddle. In the 67th play minute Ash Picker came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Nathan Liddle. 1-2. In the 73rd minute, Phillip Delamore ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Russ Strong was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-2. 77 minutes into the match, Lancing AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Dale Lane came free, but Nathan Liddle reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Russ Strong made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Phillip Delamore in the 81st minute of play. With a little luck, Lancing AFC's Nathan Liddle got control of the ball when Ash Picker tried to sneak it across the goal line. Phillip Delamore sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gez Pickard's late challenge caught a Lancing AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Gez Pickard helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Hitchin's Gez Pickard got a free kick in the 90th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jez Addison during the 93rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Lancing AFC booed when Hitchin was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jez Addison didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 94 played minutes, Lancing AFC's Pedro Courtney shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Russ Strong came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Lancing AFC reached it. The Hitchin players were the happier at the end of the match as they had prevented Lancing AFC from taking control. The game ends in a draw.