League Play-Off

Warwick Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Ali Maatouk made the kick off which started today's match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Youssef Ben Mor got free with Ben Ayari in the 3rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Bassem Maatouk's late challenge caught a Rushden United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bassem Maatouk helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Rushden United booed when Warwick AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 5 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bassem Maatouk didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Bassem Maatouk was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 8 minutes had been played. After 14 minutes of play, Rushden United's Abdallah Ben Saada made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Abdelkarim Brahem was left in no man's land by his defense there! Fraj Ayari's late challenge caught a Rushden United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Fraj Ayari helped the player get up and apologised. Youssef Ben Mor received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Ben Ayari tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Youssef Ben Mor had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 38 minutes, Ali Maatouk mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rushden United and the Warwick AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Warwick AFC booed when Rushden United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ali Maatouk didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Warwick AFC's zone, Abdallah Ben Saada stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Abdelkarim Brahem came out of the goal and Abdallah Ben Saada tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play.

In the 61stth minute of the game Fraj Ayari who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Rushden United's Ben Ayari was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With a little luck, Warwick AFC's Abdelkarim Brahem got control of the ball when Abdallah Ben Saada tried to sneak it across the goal line. Mohamed Mouaia Nefzi hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Abdallah Ben Saada managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rushden United's supporters rose to their feet, but Abdallah Ben Saada was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Abdelkarim Brahem breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Youssef Ben Mor had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 71 minutes into the match, Rushden United's goal looked a bit too open when Youssef Ben Mor came free, but Ben Ayari reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Fraj Ayari fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ben Ayari having to interfere. Youssef Ben Mor sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Ali Maatouk recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. During the 93rd minute of the match Ali Maatouk completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Ali Maatouk a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. After a rather tough play, Rushden United's Ali Maatouk got a free kick in the 94th minute. The Rushden United players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.