League Play-Off

Strand Stadium
Spectators: 38 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Strand's Harley McPaul 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. Brenainn McSteven struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Boyne McSteven didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Emyvale AFC. Dane Deery sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 10 minutes into the match, Emyvale AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Harley McPaul came free, but Bercan Doyle reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dane Deery sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 22 minutes, Tiarnan Taylor mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Strand and the Emyvale AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Tiarnan Taylor hit a great freekick 22 minutes into the match. 25 minutes into the game, Donn Gillmour was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Strand's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Emyvale AFC the free kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Roland Dempsey in the 34th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Boyne McSteven prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 38 minutes into the match, Brenainn McSteven notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Strand's Boyne McSteven. Boyne McSteven was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. A collision led to Strand getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Bracken Gillmour hit a great ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-2.

The wind increased when Brenainn McSteven made the kick off in the second half. If Roland Dempsey had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 54 minutes into the match, Strand's goalkeeper Boyne McSteven had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Roland Dempsey. After 55 played minutes Emyvale AFC got a freekick which was hit by Donegal Glen Crowe. In the 60th minute Harley McPaul shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bercan Doyle saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 61st minute, Dane Deery managed to get in a good position for a shot. Strand's supporters rose to their feet, but Dane Deery was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bercan Doyle breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Bercan Doyle made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dane Deery in the 64th minute of play. Harley McPaul fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bercan Doyle having to interfere. Strand's Boyne McSteven proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 74th minute of the match, managed to save Strand from getting a goal against them. 77 minutes into the match, Strand's goalkeeper Boyne McSteven had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Roland Dempsey. Dane Deery's late challenge caught a Emyvale AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Dane Deery helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Strand's Dane Deery got a free kick in the 84th minute. Roland Dempsey sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Roland Dempsey sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Emyvale AFC eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.