League Play-Off

St Helens
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) St Helens United's Wayne Spann started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Francis Knight took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eddy Lawson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 13 minutes into the match, Tod Banim notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Stroud's Nicky Payne. Nicky Payne was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 18th match minute, St Helens United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gareth Basterfield to maneuver through the defense. 19 minutes into the match, Stroud's Jake Brook broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. After 22 minutes, Laurence Godsall mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the St Helens United and the Stroud players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 22nd minute, Laurence Godsall hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 24 minutes, Eddy Lawson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Stroud's supporters crossed their fingers, but Eddy Lawson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Rio Sullivan during the 25th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Stroud getting a freekick after 32 minutes play. Lewis Welsh hit a great ball. When Wayne Spann came up free with the goalie in the 43rd minute, the St Helens United 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 Wayne Spann couldn't finish the play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Wayne Spann in the 45th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nicky Payne prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Eddy Lawson to make the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, Wayne Spann notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of Stroud's Nicky Payne. Nicky Payne was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After having played for 63 minutes, Tod Banim managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. St Helens United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tod Banim was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a rather tough play, St Helens United's Rio Sullivan got a free kick in the 66th minute. Wayne Spann sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. St Helens United's Laurence Godsall got his second yellow card of the match in the 72nd minute. The referee ordered Laurence Godsall off the ground. After 73 played minutes St Helens United got a freekick which was hit by Laurence Godsall. In the 77th minute of the match, Eddy Lawson tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Francis Knight saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Nicky Payne took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tod Banim, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rio Sullivan hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. Francis Knight showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eddy Lawson, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Eddy Lawson in the 88th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Francis Knight saved St Helens United from getting behind. St Helens United were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Stroud for a fine match.