League Play-Off

Hazel Grove
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Vinnie Hopton took the kick off in the first half of the match. Martin Pickering's late challenge caught a Hazel Grove United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Martin Pickering helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Hazel Grove United booed when Congresbury City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Pickering didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 6th minute, Ted May hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Olly Morning showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vinnie Hopton, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. In the 8th minute, one of Congresbury City: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 Congresbury City. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vinnie Hopton in the 12th minute of play forced Congresbury City's goalkeeper Olly Morning to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Hazel Grove United booed when Congresbury City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Pickering didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vinnie Hopton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Olly Morning tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Congresbury City were furious when Rio Basham was red carded, 20 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 19th minute of the game. One of Congresbury City:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Hazel Grove United:s goal. Hazel Grove United's John Hopker played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ted May in the 27th minute of play. In the 28th match minute, Congresbury City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ted May to maneuver through the defense. After some careless play in the Congresbury City defense, Wally Farrell kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Olly Morning. The Congresbury City fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Olly Morning should have stopped the shot. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 4-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ted May to strike the kick off in the second half. Olly Morning made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vinnie Hopton in the 55th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Congresbury City's Martin Pickering got a free kick in the 55th minute. If Wally Farrell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 59 minutes into the game, Hazel Grove United's Vinnie Hopton nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Olly Morning made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 5-0. Ted May struck a weak shot in the 68th minute. John Hopker didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Congresbury City. When the match clock showed 70 minutes, the score became 5-1 when Ted May sped through Hazel Grove United's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of John Hopker. John Hopker came out of the goal in the 75th minute to try and stop a shot by Congresbury City's Ted May. But to his dismay, Ted May quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 5-2. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Wally Farrell in the 94th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Olly Morning saved Congresbury City from getting behind. Hazel Grove United were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Congresbury City for a fine match.