League Play-Off

Middleton Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Barney Stiles got the match started through his kick off. Darryl Gilchrist's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Mihai Popan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 4th minute of play. Barney Lappin charged in rather forcefully in the 5th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Barney Lappin the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 11th minute Jacob MacDonald shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mihai Popan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 13 minutes into the match, Bergersfield Town F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Jacob MacDonald came free, but Mihai Popan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Bergersfield Town F.C.'s Brendon Croft got a free kick in the 15th minute. Bergersfield Town F.C.'s Mihai Popan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jacob MacDonald in the 16th minute of play. Glyn Barltrop made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Damon Mulford in the 22nd minute of play. Damon Mulford fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 25th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Glyn Barltrop having to interfere. Glyn Barltrop showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Damon Mulford, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. After 31 played minutes Bergersfield Town F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Brendon Croft. Mihai Popan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jacob MacDonald, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Denzil Hinchcliffe during the 34th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 34th match minute, Bergersfield Town F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Denzil Hinchcliffe to maneuver through the defense. Bergersfield Town F.C.'s Mihai Popan proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Bergersfield Town F.C. from getting a goal against them. After a defensive mix-up in Middleton United's zone, Damon Mulford stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Glyn Barltrop came out of the goal and Damon Mulford tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Barney Stiles sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Aaron Cross recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 45th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 47 minutes into the match, Middleton United's Jacob MacDonald sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Mihai Popan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Jacob MacDonald stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Mihai Popan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aaron Cross, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. Brendon Croft kicked well hit freekick during the 52nd minute of the match. Barney Stiles fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 58th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Glyn Barltrop having to interfere. 60 minutes into the game, Philip Hancock was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Middleton United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Bergersfield Town F.C. the free kick. The supporters of Bergersfield Town F.C. booed when Middleton United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Philip Hancock didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Bergersfield Town F.C. getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Barney Lappin hit a great ball. In the 68th minute, Frazer Reed sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Bergersfield Town F.C.'s Mihai Popan didn't even have to move. Mihai Popan didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Philip Hancock went, in the 70th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-0 was the resulting score. Mihai Popan didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Jacob MacDonald went, in the 75th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-0 was the resulting score. Bergersfield Town F.C.'s Mihai Popan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jacob MacDonald in the 81st minute of play. With 92 minutes on the clock, Damon Mulford commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. In the 91st minute, one of Bergersfield Town F.C.:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Bergersfield Town F.C.. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Middleton United fully deserved thier win.