League Play-Off

Netherton Stadium
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) After 12 minutes, Thompson Aminu mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Kendal and the Netherton City players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Kendal getting a freekick after 12 minutes play. Thompson Aminu hit a great ball. Eby Oyiye took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 13th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Uzo Aguele. Kendal's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Orchena Ekpiwhire sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of Netherton City booed when Kendal was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Samson Kimitei didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 19th minute of the match, Orchena Ekpiwhire got a very nice opportunity to score, but Uzo Aguele was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. After having played for 25 minutes, Kambina Atere managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherton City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Kambina Atere was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Kendal's Uzo Aguele played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kambina Atere in the 29th minute of play. Tajudeen Igu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ifenemonye Okwudili, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 33rd minute, Orchena Ekpiwhire hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Ifenemonye Okwudili had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 38th minute, Netherton City's Dayo Mekwu seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Dayo Mekwu the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Netherton City protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Dayo Mekwu had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. In a very dangerous position, a player in Netherton City fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 38th minute. Penalty! Uzo Aguele made a fantastic save in the 43rd minute, when Orchena Ekpiwhire sent off a good shot on target. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Orchena Ekpiwhire to make the kick off. If Orchena Ekpiwhire had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Kendal's Ifenemonye Okwudili got a good chance for a goal in the 55th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Kendal's Ifenemonye Okwudili got a good chance for a goal in the 67th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Gabriel Akpanaha recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 69th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ifenemonye Okwudili fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tajudeen Igu having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Kendal's zone, Orchena Ekpiwhire stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Uzo Aguele came out of the goal and Orchena Ekpiwhire tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thompson Aminu kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. Orchena Ekpiwhire sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Ifenemonye Okwudili fell near the penalty area in the 81st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Kendal's protests and gave Ifenemonye Okwudili a yellow card for diving instead. In the 81st match minute, Kendal was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ifenemonye Okwudili to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Orchena Ekpiwhire managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherton City's supporters rose to their feet, but Orchena Ekpiwhire was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Uzo Aguele breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Gabriel Akpanaha could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 84th minute of the match, but Tajudeen Igu made a huge save. Tajudeen Igu made a fantastic save in the 86th minute, when Gabriel Akpanaha sent off a good shot on target. Netherton City's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.