League Play-Off

Norridge Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Mehdi Hadjadj kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jean-Michel Messaoud in the 3rd minute of play forced Norridge AFC's goalkeeper Karim Sofiane to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Karim Metref scored 1-0 in the 5th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Fodil Soltani, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mehdi Hadjadj in the 8th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fodil Soltani prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 12th minute, Jean-Michel Messaoud got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Karim Sofiane showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Smail Ben Khalidi in the 13th minute of the match. Karim Sofiane took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jean-Michel Messaoud, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jean-Michel Messaoud sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Smail Ben Khalidi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fodil Soltani took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mehdi Hadjadj, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jean-Michel Messaoud fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Karim Sofiane having to interfere. Fodil Soltani took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nasreddine Zaaf, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Karim Sofiane made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Smail Ben Khalidi in the 47th minute of play. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

Fodil Soltani showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Karim Metref in the 52nd minute of the match. In the 60th minute, Crystal AFC's Smail Ben Khalidi ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Karim Sofiane. Karim Sofiane yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Nasreddine Zaaf managed to get in a good position for a shot. Norridge AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Nasreddine Zaaf was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fodil Soltani breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 80th minute the ball was on its way in behind Crystal AFC's goalkeeper Fodil Soltani, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Karim Sofiane made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Smail Ben Khalidi in the 89th minute of play. When Ahmed Raï fell near the penalty area in the 92nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Crystal AFC's protests and gave Ahmed Raï a yellow card for diving instead. The referee gave Norridge AFC a penalty, 94 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Ahmed Ahmed, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Crystal AFC's Fodil Soltani. 4-1. Mehdi Hadjadj struck a weak shot in the 97th minute. Fodil Soltani didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Norridge AFC. Norridge AFC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.