League Play-Off

Finneytown Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Smail Aït Salem took the kick off in the first half of the match. Mohamed Megharia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ismaël Bitat, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Ahmed Benida fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ismaël Hadjadj having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ahmed Benida in the 15th minute of play forced Edgecliff FC's goalkeeper Ismaël Hadjadj to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Edgecliff FC's Slimane Brahimi got a good chance for a goal in the 17th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Smail Aït Salem might have been able to make a better finish in the 19th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mohamed Megharia. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Smail Aït Salem ran back to his position shaking his head. Ismaël Bitat fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 23rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mohamed Megharia having to interfere. 26 minutes into the match, Ismaël Bitat had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Mohamed Megharia. Union Sportif Saint Marie's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ismaël Bitat was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. In the 30th minute, Djamel Zafour left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Union Sportif Saint Marie fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. In the 35th minute, Smail Aït Salem left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Edgecliff FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-3. If Ahmed Benida had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ahmed Benida's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ismaël Hadjadj read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 46th minute of play. After 47 played minutes Union Sportif Saint Marie got a freekick which was hit by Maïssa Haddou. Smail Aït Salem recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 48th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ahmed Benida to make the kick off. Union Sportif Saint Marie's Djamel Zafour got a good chance for a goal in the 65th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ahmed Benida recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 76 minutes of play Union Sportif Saint Marie's Maïssa Haddou was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. The supporters of Edgecliff FC booed when Union Sportif Saint Marie was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Maïssa Haddou didn't get a good kick on the ball. Noureddine Touhami kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. If Ismaël Bitat had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mebarek Makkeb hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. Djamel Zafour took the ball and in the 94 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ismaël Hadjadj. Ismaël Hadjadj dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-3. Mebarek Makkeb kicked well hit freekick during the 97th minute of the match. The Union Sportif Saint Marie fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Edgecliff FC were clearly better and deserved to take the win.