League Play-Off

Piccalilli Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Ivor Sands received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Lee Birchall tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Romeo Dowrick made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Albert Bowe in the 11th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ivor Sands in the 14th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lee Birchall prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Lenny Cuss had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ivor Sands in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lee Birchall saved Blackburn Olympic from getting behind. When Lenny Cuss came up free with the goalie in the 18th minute, the Belvedere United 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 Lenny Cuss couldn't finish the play. Andre Ainge kicked well hit freekick during the 19th minute of the match. When Belvedere United's Ivor Sands in the 23rd minute got a chance for a shot 23rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Blackburn Olympic's goalie prevented a goal. Chaz Soussan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 29 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Belvedere United! In the 35th minute, Lenny Cuss 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. Albert Bowe succeeded in the game's 38th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 2-0. 42 minutes into the match, Belvedere United's goalkeeper Romeo Dowrick had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Chaz Soussan. Lenny Cuss struck a weak shot in the 44th minute. Lee Birchall didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Belvedere United. Lee Birchall showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lenny Cuss, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Lenny Cuss stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 54 minutes in the game Francis Small did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Spike Impey. After a rather tough play, Belvedere United's Ross Currie got a free kick in the 59th minute. After having played for 64 minutes, Lenny Cuss managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Belvedere United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lenny Cuss was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Bradley Blacknell kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. Lenny Cusss short, quick shot in the 70thth minute got Lee Birchall to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Romeo Dowrick took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Albert Bowe, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 80th minute, Reg Budge hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 82nd minute of the match Jeff Wilmott shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Romeo Dowrick showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. With his leg Lee Birchall managed to avoid a goal in the 86thth minute, when Belvedere United's George Greenman fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. If Lenny Cuss had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 91 minutes in the game, Lenny Cuss fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Lee Birchall having to interfere. Many of Belvedere United's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Belvedere United may have spent more time on the ball, but Blackburn Olympic were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.