League Play-Off

Stadio Rioja
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Rob Mayo in the 6th minute of play forced Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Wally Howard could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 9th minute of the match, but Kirk Freeman made a huge save. Black Country's Kirk Freeman played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rob Mayo in the 12th minute of play. Zak White took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Frankie Clegg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rob Mayo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 22nd minute. Kirk Freeman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Zak White took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Frankie Clegg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Rob Mayo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 32 minutes into the match, Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wally Howard. Wally Howard's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kirk Freeman read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 35th minute of play. In the 37th minute Jake Higgins shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zak White saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Johnathan Fairs charged in rather forcefully in the 37th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Johnathan Fairs the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Black Country booed when Steel Doves was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 37 match minutes in a wonderful position. Johnathan Fairs didn't get a good kick on the ball. Wally Howard's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 40thth minute, Kirk Freeman skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Rio Marenghi fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Kirk Freeman having to interfere. If Wally Howard had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jake Higgins to make the kick off. If Frankie Clegg had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Zak White made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jake Higgins in the 52nd minute of play. After 53 played minutes Black Country got a freekick which was hit by Kirk Phelps. In the 57th minute the ball was on its way in behind Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 64th minute, Jake Higgins managed to get in a good position for a shot. Black Country's supporters rose to their feet, but Jake Higgins was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Zak White breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 66 minutes into the game, Wally Howard cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Kirk Freeman was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Black Country's Kirk Freeman played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Wally Howard in the 69th minute of play. Rob Mayo blasted a shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Kirk Freeman having to make a save. In the 74th minute, Kirk Phelps hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Jake Higgins managed to get in a good position for a shot. Black Country's supporters rose to their feet, but Jake Higgins was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Zak White breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Rob Mayo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Kirk Freeman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Kirk Phelps kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. When Rob Mayo came up free with the goalie in the 87th minute, the Steel Doves 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 Rob Mayo couldn't finish the play. After 89 minutes, Leigh Naisbitt mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Black Country and the Steel Doves players grew even worse after the yellow card. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Steel Doves had played much better football throughout.