League Play-Off

Upminster
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Upminster City's Luke Parry started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 7th minute, Johnnie Little hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Ray Boyd took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 8th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Todd Bradfield. Upminster City's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Upminster City's Todd Bradfield played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ben Blackwood in the 12th minute of play. If Luke Parry had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 17th minute, Upminster City's Luke Parry dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Piers Ansell in the 22nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Todd Bradfield prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Piers Ansell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Todd Bradfield tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Luke Parry received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Alf Bodsworth tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 34 minutes into the match, Ilford AFC's goalkeeper Alf Bodsworth had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Eric Beesley. Luke Parry struck a weak shot in the 43rd minute. Alf Bodsworth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Upminster City. Ilford AFC's Alf Bodsworth played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luke Parry in the 47th minute of play. 48 minutes into the game, Eric Beesley was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Upminster City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ilford AFC the free kick. After a rather tough play, Upminster City's Eric Beesley got a free kick in the 48th minute. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Paddy Blain to make the kick off. Paddy Blain sent away a hard shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 58 minutes into the match, Upminster City's goal looked a bit too open when Paddy Blain came free, but Todd Bradfield reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Adam Flynn hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Upminster City's zone, Paddy Blain stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Todd Bradfield came out of the goal and Paddy Blain tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Alf Bodsworth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luke Parry in the 66th minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ben Blackwood during the 67th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Ben Blackwood hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. When Luke Parry came up free with the goalie in the 72nd minute, the Upminster City fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Luke Parry couldn't finish the play. 74 minutes into the game, Upminster City's Eric Beesley nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Alf Bodsworth made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. Luke Parry fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alf Bodsworth having to interfere. 82 minutes into the match, Upminster City's goal looked a bit too open when Paddy Blain came free, but Todd Bradfield reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Ilford AFC getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Ben Blackwood hit a great ball. Johnnie Little hit a great freekick 89 minutes into the match. The corner ended in Ray Boyd almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Upminster City's Todd Bradfield did a great save. For all the effort they put into the match, the Ilford AFC players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Upminster City.