League Play-Off

Portsmouth Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Sly Bannister got the match started through his kick off. With a little luck, Newbold Verdon's Lewis Apsden got control of the ball when Bill Mead tried to sneak it across the goal line. Bill Mead took the ball and in the 10 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Lewis Apsden. Lewis Apsden dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. Jay Turk's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Lewis Apsden read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 14th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Portsmouth's Glenn Osbourne got a free kick in the 16th minute. Sly Bannister sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ronan Hornsby showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Christian Bates in the 19th minute of the match. Sly Bannister struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Ronan Hornsby didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Newbold Verdon. Ronan Hornsby showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Christian Bates, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. In the 24th match minute, Portsmouth was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ian Metcalfe to maneuver through the defense. In the 25th minute, Sly Bannister 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. When Newbold Verdon's Sly Bannister in the 29th minute got a chance for a shot 29th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Portsmouth's goalie prevented a goal. Lewis Apsden showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jay Turk in the 32nd minute of the match. 34 minutes into the game, Newbold Verdon's CJ Earnshaw nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ronan Hornsby made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Christian Bates fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 37th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ronan Hornsby having to interfere. In the 43rd minute Sly Bannister shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ronan Hornsby saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The wind increased when Jay Turk made the kick off in the second half. Ronan Hornsby made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sly Bannister in the 51st minute of play. Jermaine Greenwood charged in rather forcefully in the 53rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jermaine Greenwood the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 53rd minute of the game. One of Portsmouth:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Newbold Verdon:s goal. In the 62nd minute, Christian Bates left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Newbold Verdon fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. Sly Bannister sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ronan Hornsby showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sly Bannister in the 72nd minute of the match. Jay Turk fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 77th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lewis Apsden having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Jay Turk's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Lewis Apsden was relentless in the 79th minute of the game. Christian Bates could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 80th minute of the match, but Ronan Hornsby made a huge save. After a defensive mix-up in Portsmouth's zone, Christian Bates stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ronan Hornsby came out of the goal and Christian Bates tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Newbold Verdon booed when Portsmouth was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ian Metcalfe didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bill Mead received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Lewis Apsden tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Portsmouth's Ronan Hornsby proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 88th minute of the match, managed to save Portsmouth from getting a goal against them. Ronan Hornsby took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sly Bannister, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sly Bannister scored 1-4 in the 91st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ronan Hornsby, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot.