League Play-Off

Alton Stadium
Spectators: 37 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Scunthorpe's Rod Wilmott 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. Kenneth Tabb was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 3rd minute. Alton's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. After 5 played minutes Scunthorpe got a freekick which was hit by Ty Hazell . After a rather tough play, Scunthorpe's Ty Hazell got a free kick in the 7th minute. 8 minutes into the match, Kenneth Tabb had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Paddy Nicholls . Scunthorpe's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Kenneth Tabb was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. Verne Wiseman charged in rather forcefully in the 12th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Verne Wiseman the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Alton's Verne Wiseman got a free kick in the 12th minute. In the 13th minute, John Marchant sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Alton's Geoff Oldham didn't even have to move. Paddy Nicholls made a fantastic save in the 19th minute, when Kenneth Tabb sent off a good shot on target. A hard shot 21 in the game by Kenneth Tabb from a close distance when the talented Paddy Nicholls managed to make a qualified save. Scunthorpe's players were relieved. A collision led to Alton getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Ash Lineker hit a great ball. Kenneth Tabb could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 26th minute of the match, but Paddy Nicholls made a huge save. In the 39th minute, Rod Wilmott got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Alton's Geoff Oldham played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rod Wilmott in the 45th minute of play. Kenneth Tabb sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ash Lineker to strike the kick off in the second half. If Wayne Battersby had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 56 played minutes Alton got a freekick which was hit by Verne Wiseman . The long shot by John Marchant in the 57th minute really tested Geoff Oldham 's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Paddy Nicholls stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Kenneth Tabb 's shot from short distance in the 59th minute. Owen Bowen kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Phil Worrall sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Paddy Nicholls showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ash Lineker in the 75th minute of the match. Pat Cookson kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 80th minute, Ash Lineker managed to get in a good position for a shot. Alton's supporters rose to their feet, but Ash Lineker was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Paddy Nicholls breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ash Lineker in the 84th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Paddy Nicholls prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Paddy Nicholls didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Kenneth Tabb went, in the 86th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-0 was the resulting score. 91 minutes into the match, Alton's Kenneth Tabb sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Paddy Nicholls narrowly saved just below the crossbar.