League Play-Off

Shap
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Daniel Alsford got the match started through his kick off. Barnstaple's Damon Cooper played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Child in the 3rd minute of play. Daniel Child fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 6th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Damon Cooper having to interfere. Larry Sollit recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 8th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 8 minutes into the game, Jeff Steel was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Barnstaple's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Shap AFC the free kick. The supporters of Shap AFC booed when Barnstaple was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jeff Steel didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 10th minute, Shap AFC's Daniel Child ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Damon Cooper. Damon Cooper yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. Larry Sollit fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 16th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Damon Cooper having to interfere. After 19 played minutes Barnstaple got a freekick which was hit by Ritchie Bignot. Damon Cooper made an important save on a dangerous shot by Larry Sollit in the 22nd minute. Daniel Child fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 24th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Damon Cooper having to interfere. Larry Sollit's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 27thth minute, Damon Cooper skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Daniel Child sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Damon Cooper made a fantastic save in the 32nd minute, when Larry Sollit sent off a good shot on target. In the 34th minute, Brian Purvis hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Larry Sollit had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 41 played minutes Barnstaple got a freekick which was hit by Ritchie Bignot. 45 minutes into the match, Shap AFC's Larry Sollit sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Damon Cooper narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 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.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Child made a kick off. When Louis Howlett came up free with the goalie in the 52nd minute, the Barnstaple 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 Louis Howlett couldn't finish the play. Damon Cooper showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Child in the 58th minute of the match. Damon Cooper showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Child, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. When Louis Howlett came up free with the goalie in the 63rd minute, the Barnstaple 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 Louis Howlett couldn't finish the play. In the 66thth minute of the game Larry Sollit who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Barnstaple's Damon Cooper was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Daniel Alsford blasted a shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Eddy Sawbridge having to make a save. Ritchie Bignot hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. Jeff Steel hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Barnstaple's zone, Daniel Child stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Damon Cooper came out of the goal and Daniel Child tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 92nd minute Daniel Child shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Damon Cooper saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Shap AFC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.