League Play-Off

Shenley
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Shenley City's Harry Bittner 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. A collision led to AFC Grays getting a freekick after 2 minutes play. Stuart Graydon hit a great ball. Gareth Titmus showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Harry Bittner, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Gareth Titmus made an important save on a dangerous shot by Marc Dunlop in the 9th minute. Shenley City's Theo Mayall played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Reuben Banim in the 11th minute of play. Gareth Titmus made a fantastic save in the 13th minute, when Marc Dunlop sent off a good shot on target. Reuben Banim fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Theo Mayall having to interfere. Marc Dunlop recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When the match had gone on for 26 minutes, Harry Bittner took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Gareth Titmus to make any attempt to save it. Marty Marston's late challenge caught a AFC Grays's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marty Marston helped the player get up and apologised. In the 33rd minute, Marty Marston hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Theo Mayall made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rod Butcher in the 34th minute of play. Shenley City's Marty Marston got his second yellow card of the match in the 35th minute. The referee ordered Marty Marston off the ground. After a rather tough play, Shenley City's Marty Marston got a free kick in the 36th minute. 37 minutes into the match, AFC Grays's Ken Winstanley broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ron Grantham during the 40th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Gareth Titmus made an important save on a dangerous shot by Marc Dunlop in the 42nd minute.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Reuben Banim made a kick off. If Marc Dunlop had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Gareth Titmus made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marc Dunlop in the 54th minute of play. AFC Grays's Gareth Titmus played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marc Dunlop in the 56th minute of play. John Paul Featherson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gareth Titmus having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 64th minute, Rod Butcher managed to get in a good position for a shot. AFC Grays's supporters rose to their feet, but Rod Butcher was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Theo Mayall breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Harry Bittner kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. Theo Mayall took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Reuben Banim, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marc Dunlop received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Gareth Titmus tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Marc Dunlop had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Marc Dunlop had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Marc Dunlop in the 79th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Gareth Titmus saved AFC Grays from getting behind. When the match clock showed 79 minutes, the score became 2-0 when Marc Dunlop sped through AFC Grays's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Gareth Titmus. In the 81st minute, John Paul Featherson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Reuben Banim in the 82nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Theo Mayall prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Shenley City's zone, Reuben Banim stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Theo Mayall came out of the goal and Reuben Banim tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 96th minute the ball was on its way in behind AFC Grays's goalkeeper Gareth Titmus, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Shenley City walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.