League Play-Off

Derby Park
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Derby AFC's Mezie Roro 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. 3 minutes into the match, Ebira United Fc's goalkeeper Chiazagomekpele Ige had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mezie Roro. Martin Ajeroh struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Manga Lartey didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ebira United Fc. Chiazagomekpele Aiyetan charged in rather forcefully in the 10th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Chiazagomekpele Aiyetan the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Derby AFC's Chiazagomekpele Aiyetan got a free kick in the 10th minute. Ebira United Fc's Chiazagomekpele Ige played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mezie Roro in the 14th minute of play. Ebira United Fc's Chiazagomekpele Ige proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 15th minute of the match, managed to save Ebira United Fc from getting a goal against them. If Shola Achebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 16th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mezie Roro in the 19th minute of play forced Ebira United Fc's goalkeeper Chiazagomekpele Ige to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Ebira United Fc's Chiazagomekpele Ige got control of the ball when Shola Achebo tried to sneak it across the goal line. Chiazagomekpele Ige made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mezie Roro in the 26th minute of play. Chiazagomekpele Ige showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mezie Roro, who was totally free with the ball in the 27th minute. When Ebira United Fc's Buch Ugwuh in the 29th minute got a chance for a shot 29th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Derby AFC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 33rd minute Taye Bature shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Manga Lartey saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Manga Lartey came out of the goal in the 34th minute to try and stop a shot by Ebira United Fc's Buch Ugwuh. But to his dismay, Buch Ugwuh quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Ebira United Fc's Buch Ugwuh got a good chance for a goal in the 37th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 39 played minutes, Derby AFC's Omo Akintunde shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Chiazagomekpele Ige came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Derby AFC reached it. 40 minutes into the match, Mezie Roro dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Chiazagomekpele Ige, 1-1. Buch Ugwuh fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manga Lartey having to interfere. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Buch Ugwuh was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Buch Ugwuh in the 51st minute of play forced Derby AFC's goalkeeper Manga Lartey to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Chiazagomekpele Ige showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Shola Achebo in the 62nd minute of the match. Chiazagomekpele Ige made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mezie Roro in the 65th minute of play. Ebira United Fc's Taye Bature got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 72 minutes into the game, Ayila Al-Makura was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ebira United Fc's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Derby AFC the free kick. After a defensive mix-up in Derby AFC's zone, Taye Bature stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Manga Lartey came out of the goal and Taye Bature tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Chiazagomekpele Ige stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Shola Achebo's shot from short distance in the 81st minute. Buch Ugwuh might have been able to make a better finish in the 83rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Manga Lartey. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Buch Ugwuh ran back to his position shaking his head. Derby AFC's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Buch Ugwuh 85 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-2. Derby AFC's Manga Lartey proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 90th minute of the match, managed to save Derby AFC from getting a goal against them. Taye Bature sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.