League Play-Off

Whitwell Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Hassen Gasmi took the kick off in the first half of the match. Cricklewood United's Sofiene Nafti got a good chance for a goal in the 6th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tahar Ben Kasraoui in the 9th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ali Ghodhbane saved Whitwell from getting behind. In the 12th minute there was a penalty for Cricklewood United. Lotfi Haddad stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Ali Ghodhbane. 0-1. In the 14th minute Tahar Ben Kasraoui shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ali Ghodhbane saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ghazi Ladgham hit a great freekick 15 minutes into the match. A hard shot 20 in the game by Ali Salem from a close distance when the talented Fathi Ben Fadhel managed to make a qualified save. Cricklewood United's players were relieved. If Hassen Gasmi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Sofiene Nafti had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 24th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 27 minutes into the match, Cricklewood United's goalkeeper Fathi Ben Fadhel had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ali Salem. Ali Salem received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Fathi Ben Fadhel tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 31 minutes, Tahar Ben Kasraoui managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cricklewood United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tahar Ben Kasraoui was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 32nd minute Sofiene Nafti shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ali Ghodhbane saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Whitwell's Ghazi Ladgham got a good chance for a goal in the 35th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ali Salem struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Fathi Ben Fadhel didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Whitwell. When Nejib M'hadhebi fell near the penalty area in the 38th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Whitwell's protests and gave Nejib M'hadhebi a yellow card for diving instead. The referee gave Cricklewood United a penalty, 40 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Lotfi Haddad, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Whitwell's Ali Ghodhbane. 0-2. Hassen Gasmi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Sofiene Nafti stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hassen Gasmi in the 53rd minute of play forced Cricklewood United's goalkeeper Fathi Ben Fadhel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tahar Ben Kasraoui in the 54thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Ali Ghodhbane, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Sofiene Nafti managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cricklewood United's supporters rose to their feet, but Sofiene Nafti was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ali Ghodhbane breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tahar Ben Kasraoui received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 59th minute. Ali Ghodhbane tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ali Ghodhbane made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sofiene Nafti in the 62nd minute of play. Ali Ghodhbane took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sofiene Nafti, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ali Salem in the 67th minute of play forced Cricklewood United's goalkeeper Fathi Ben Fadhel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tahar Ben Kasraoui sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ali Ghodhbane made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sofiene Nafti in the 72nd minute of play. In the 73rd match minute, Whitwell was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hamdi Braham to maneuver through the defense. In the 77th minute the ball was on its way in behind Cricklewood United's goalkeeper Fathi Ben Fadhel, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Hassen Gasmi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hassen Gasmi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 81st minute. Fathi Ben Fadhel tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 84 minutes into the game, Sofiene Nafti recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ali Ghodhbane. Sofiene Nafti showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-3. Ali Salem sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hassen Gasmi in the 90th minute of play forced Cricklewood United's goalkeeper Fathi Ben Fadhel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 95 minutes into the match, Cricklewood United's goal looked a bit too open when Ali Salem came free, but Fathi Ben Fadhel reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Cricklewood United walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.