League Play-Off

Ellesmere Port Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Jamel Miaâdi made the kick off and thus started the match. 5 minutes into the match, Ellesmere Port City's goal looked a bit too open when Jamel Miaâdi came free, but Hedi Limam reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 12th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ashburton United's goalkeeper Ahmad Bourguiba, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Jamel Miaâdi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 18th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Ashburton United's Ahmad Bourguiba got control of the ball when Hassib Hammami tried to sneak it across the goal line. A collision led to Ellesmere Port City getting a freekick after 32 minutes play. Alaeddine Souissi hit a great ball. Sami Ouakili took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 32nd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Hedi Limam. Ellesmere Port City's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Hedi Limam came out of the goal in the 35th minute to try and stop a shot by Ashburton United's Chaouki Cherif. But to his dismay, Chaouki Cherif quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. In the 41st minute Ali Chaldun shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ahmad Bourguiba saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Chaouki Cherif recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With a little luck, Ashburton United's Ahmad Bourguiba got control of the ball when Hassib Hammami tried to sneak it across the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jamel Miaâdi in the 46th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Hedi Limam saved Ellesmere Port City from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 48th minute, Jamel Miaâdi managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ashburton United's supporters rose to their feet, but Jamel Miaâdi was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Hedi Limam breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The Ellesmere Port City players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ashburton United were winning 0-1.

In the 52nd minute, Ali Chaldun 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. Ali Chaldun fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ahmad Bourguiba having to interfere. 57 minutes into the game, Mohamed Ali Meoki was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ashburton United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ellesmere Port City the free kick. The supporters of Ellesmere Port City booed when Ashburton United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mohamed Ali Meoki didn't get a good kick on the ball. 58 minutes into the match, Ellesmere Port City's Salah Belhaj Bourguiba broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Kais Ayari hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. Hassib Hammami fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ahmad Bourguiba having to interfere. A hard shot 75 in the game by Jamel Miaâdi from a close distance when the talented Hedi Limam managed to make a qualified save. Ellesmere Port City's players were relieved. Ahmad Bourguiba stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ali Chaldun's shot from short distance in the 84th minute. Ahmad Bourguiba showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ali Chaldun, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. Hassib Hammami fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 88th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ahmad Bourguiba having to interfere. Ahmad Bourguiba took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ali Chaldun, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 95 played minutes, Ellesmere Port City's Alaeddine Souissi shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Ahmad Bourguiba 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 Ellesmere Port City reached it. The Ashburton United supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Ashburton United would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.