League Play-Off

West Kirby
Spectators: 38 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Hanworth FC's Bruce Strongman 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. If Bruce Strongman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bruce Strongman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 11 minutes into the game, Andrew Bateman was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Hanworth FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave West Kirby AFC the free kick. In the 12th match minute, Hanworth FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Andrew Bateman to maneuver through the defense. In the 17th minute, Jason Shakespeare ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Mark Whiteley was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Mark Whiteley made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bruce Strongman in the 22nd minute of play. Rory Hirst received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Kevin Bates tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Isaac Butterworth kicked well hit freekick during the 26th minute of the match. Gary Sharpe was extremely unlucky when he, in the 30th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. 31 minutes into the game, Jason Shakespeare was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Hanworth FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave West Kirby AFC the free kick. Jason Shakespeare hit a great freekick 31 minutes into the match. Rory Hirst sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Bruce Strongman fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mark Whiteley having to interfere. Harvey Barraclough kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. In the 43rd minute, Benji Dixon 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. After having played for 45 minutes, Jason Shakespeare managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Hanworth FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jason Shakespeare was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 46 played minutes West Kirby AFC got a freekick which was hit by Tim Lynch . After the first half Hanworth FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Gary Sharpe was the one to do the kick off. In the 52nd minute, Rory Hirst made a precise shot to the right of Kevin Bates . Hanworth FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rory Hirst in the 55th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kevin Bates prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 59th minute, Rory Hirst left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The West Kirby AFC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. 68 minutes into the game, West Kirby AFC's Rory Hirst nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Kevin Bates made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-1. Robin Middleton kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. Mark Whiteley made an important save on a dangerous shot by Benji Dixon in the 76th minute. West Kirby AFC's Mark Whiteley played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bruce Strongman in the 78th minute of play. After 80 minutes, Barry Morrison mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the West Kirby AFC and the Hanworth FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 80th match minute, West Kirby AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Barry Morrison to maneuver through the defense. Bruce Strongman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Mark Whiteley tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 89th minute Bruce Strongman shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mark Whiteley saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Mark Whiteley made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bruce Strongman in the 91st minute of play. When Benji Dixon came up free with the goalie in the 92nd minute, the Hanworth FC 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 Benji Dixon couldn't finish the play. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. West Kirby AFC were victorious despite being under pressure from Hanworth FC for much of the match.