League Play-Off

Palling
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Christophe Major started the match with the kick off. After 3 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Delburne! The goalkeeper, Evrard Hills, was totally fooled by Palling AFC's Lavern McCarthy, who 4 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Blair Sawyer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Evrard Hills tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Brain Laforge's late challenge caught a Palling AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Brain Laforge helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Palling AFC booed when Delburne was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Brain Laforge didn't get a good kick on the ball. Kurt Fraser came free with the goalkeeper in the 19th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Evrard Hills could save by the left post. When Blair Sawyer came up free with the goalie in the 27th minute, the Palling AFC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Blair Sawyer couldn't finish the play. 31 minutes into the game, Delburne's Ronny Séguin nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Darius Cullen made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Christophe Major recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 41st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ronny Séguin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 45 minutes into the match, Christophe Major had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Darius Cullen. Palling AFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Christophe Major was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. The Palling AFC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Delburne were winning 1-2.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Blair Sawyer was the one to do the kick off. Ira Nash sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Christophe Major in the 59th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Darius Cullen prevented the ball from getting in the gole. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ira Nash in the 60th minute of play forced Delburne's goalkeeper Evrard Hills to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Christophe Major received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Darius Cullen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Palling AFC's Darius Cullen played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Christophe Major in the 66th minute of play. Christophe Major received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Darius Cullen came out and tried to block the shot, but Christophe Major slotted it home off the left post making it 1-3 in the 74th minute. When Christophe Major came up free with the goalie in the 78th minute, the Delburne fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Christophe Major couldn't finish the play. In the 80th minute, Brain Laforge hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 81 played minutes, Palling AFC's Lavern McCarthy shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Evrard Hills 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 Palling AFC reached it. With his leg Darius Cullen managed to avoid a goal in the 84thth minute, when Delburne's Christophe Major fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Christophe Major received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Darius Cullen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Blair Sawyer in the 92nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Evrard Hills saved Delburne from getting behind. Christophe Major struck a weak shot in the 94th minute. Darius Cullen didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Delburne. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Delburne walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.