League Play-Off

Sawtry Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Abdallah Dhafer kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Salah Belhaj Benachour in the 7th minute of play forced Sawtry's goalkeeper Mohamed Habib Benfrej to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A hard shot 8 in the game by Kais Attouga from a close distance when the talented Abdallah Essafi managed to make a qualified save. Elsdon United's players were relieved. After some fancy dribbling in the 10th minute, Salah Belhaj Benachour managed to get in a good position for a shot. Elsdon United's supporters rose to their feet, but Salah Belhaj Benachour was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Mohamed Habib Benfrej breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Kais Attouga fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Abdallah Essafi having to interfere. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by Elsdon United's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Youssef Ben Ouakili was slow to take the kick. During this time Sawtry's players had a chance to rest. The corner led Sawtry's Youssef Ben Ouakili to fire away a dangerous shot which Abdallah Essafi despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. When Sawtry's Abdallah Dhafer in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Elsdon United's goalie prevented a goal. After 32 minutes of play, Elsdon United's Adel Ouakili made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Mohamed Habib Benfrej was left in no man's land by his defense there! Adel Ouakili received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 39th minute. Mohamed Habib Benfrej tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Abdallah Dhafer in the 45th minute of play forced Elsdon United's goalkeeper Abdallah Essafi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Salah Belhaj Benachour to make the kick off. Kais Attouga fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Abdallah Essafi having to interfere. 0-2 became the score in the 63rd minute when Adel Ouakili elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 66th minute, Salah Belhaj Benachour managed to get in a good position for a shot. Elsdon United's supporters rose to their feet, but Salah Belhaj Benachour was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Mohamed Habib Benfrej breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Kais Attouga's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Abdallah Essafi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 73rd minute of play. Ali Mestiri hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. After 76 minutes Elsdon United's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Youssef Ben Ouakili who took care of the corner kick. Adel Ouakili kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. Ali Mestiri hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. After 80 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Elsdon United! In the 82nd minute there was a penalty for Sawtry. Youssef Ben Ouakili stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Abdallah Essafi. 1-2. 86 minutes into the match, Elsdon United's goal looked a bit too open when Kais Attouga came free, but Abdallah Essafi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mohamed Habib Benfrej made a fantastic save in the 88th minute, when Adel Ouakili sent off a good shot on target. Kais Attouga sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sawtry's Mohamed Habib Benfrej proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 96th minute of the match, managed to save Sawtry from getting a goal against them. When the final whistle sounded Elsdon United left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Sawtry.