League Play-Off

Kingston
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Damian Flintoff started the match with the kick off. Jack Mabbutt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jim East, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 6 minutes into the game, Oswestry's Jim East nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jack Mabbutt made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Philip Everard hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. 10 minutes into the match, Kingston United's goal looked a bit too open when Jim East came free, but Jack Mabbutt reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With 12 minutes on the clock, Anthony Rawson commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. Benji Bridge shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Kingston United's Jack Mabbutt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jez Hoskins in the 17th minute of play. Jack Mabbutt showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jez Hoskins, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. Jack Mabbutt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Damian Flintoff in the 30th minute of play. Kingston United's Jack Mabbutt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sebastien Featherstone in the 35th minute of play. Ian Elding fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 37th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Miles Wicks having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 39th minute, Ian Elding managed to get in a good position for a shot. Kingston United's supporters rose to their feet, but Ian Elding was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Miles Wicks breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After having played for 44 minutes, Kasey Leeson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Kingston United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Kasey Leeson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After the first half Oswestry were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The wind increased when Ian Elding made the kick off in the second half. Jack Mabbutt made a fantastic save in the 56th minute, when Jim East sent off a good shot on target. After 57 played minutes Kingston United got a freekick which was hit by Stevie Margarson. Benji Bridge shot from long distance in the 58th minute, but Jack Mabbutt was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. Ian Elding sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 66th minute, Jim East hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. William Nailor sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Kingston United's Dave Rusby managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Stew Plummer in the 74 minute of the game. Jim East kicked well hit freekick during the 81st minute of the match. Kingston United's Jack Mabbutt proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 84th minute of the match, managed to save Kingston United from getting a goal against them. Damian Flintoff received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Jack Mabbutt tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jim East could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Jack Mabbutt made a huge save. 93 minutes into the match, Kingston United's Ian Elding sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Miles Wicks narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Jack Mabbutt was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Jim East showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-3 in the 94 minute of play. The Oswestry supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Oswestry would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.