League Play-Off

Newnham
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Chesney Vassell kicked off to start the match. Clacton's Felix Meadowcroft suffered a concussion in the 22nd minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. After 23 played minutes Newnham City got a freekick which was hit by Gregory McGrath. After a defensive mix-up in Clacton's zone, Chesney Vassell stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gordon Mansfield came out of the goal and Chesney Vassell tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dylon Talbot hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. Garry Corrigan could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 31st minute of the match, but Gordon Mansfield made a huge save. Ben Bullock took the ball and in the 32 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Oscar Bannister. Oscar Bannister dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. 41 minutes into the match, Clacton's goal looked a bit too open when Chesney Vassell came free, but Gordon Mansfield reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Christopher Walton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After the first half Clacton were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ben Bullock to make the kick off. Ben Bullock's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Oscar Bannister read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 52nd minute of play. 56 minutes into the game, Ben Bullock recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Oscar Bannister. Ben Bullock showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. Oscar Bannister showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Christopher Walton, who was totally free with the ball in the 65th minute. After 67 played minutes Clacton got a freekick which was hit by Scott Howson. Chesney Vassell sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Garry Corrigan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Gordon Mansfield tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Chesney Vassell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Gordon Mansfield didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Chesney Vassell went, in the 75th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-2 was the resulting score. When the match had gone on for 86 minutes, Chesney Vassell put it in 2-2 from a short distance just to the right of Gordon Mansfield. Ben Bullock was extremely unlucky when he, in the 93rd minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. After having played for 98 minutes, Conan Colley managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Newnham City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Conan Colley was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The Clacton players were the happier at the end of the match as they had prevented Newnham City from taking control. The game ends in a draw.