League Play-Off

Black Country Stadiu
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ritchie Penn got the match started through his kick off. If John Turnbull had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ritchie Penn in the 6th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Kirk Freeman saved Black Country from getting behind. Kirk Freeman stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of John Turnbull's shot from short distance in the 14th minute. Ritchie Penn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 16th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 19 minutes into the game, Carl Pointon was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Black Country's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Carlin How AFC the free kick. Carl Pointon kicked well hit freekick during the 19th minute of the match. Ritchie Penn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Carlin How AFC's John Turnbull got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. John Turnbull received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Kirk Freeman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Kirk Freeman stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ritchie Penn's shot from short distance in the 30th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ritchie Penn in the 35th minute of play forced Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Black Country getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Kirk Phelps hit a great ball. The crowd rose to their feet as Black Country's Jake Higgins slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Byron Halford. That made the score 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Ritchie Penn struck a weak shot in the 45th minute. Kirk Freeman didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Carlin How AFC. Ritchie Penn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 47th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Jake Higgins stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute Frankie Clegg shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Byron Halford saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Byron Halford showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jake Higgins in the 55th minute of the match. If John Turnbull had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpected shot in the 64th minute by John Turnbull got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. The supporters of Carlin How AFC booed when Black Country was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kirk Phelps didn't get a good kick on the ball. Kirk Phelps got his second yellow card in the match during the 67th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 68th match minute, Black Country was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kirk Phelps to maneuver through the defense. Frankie Clegg sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If John Turnbull had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Ritchie Penn had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ritchie Penn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Kirk Freeman having to interfere. A collision led to Carlin How AFC getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Ian Lansdell hit a great ball. If Ritchie Penn had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. John Turnbull sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Black Country were victorious despite being under pressure from Carlin How AFC for much of the match.