League Play-Off

Hartwell
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Earl Barlow took the kick off in the first half of the match. Earl Barlow sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 12th minute, Malcolm Meyer hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Javier Mercer took the ball and in the 15 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Otis Kuhn. Otis Kuhn dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. Lanny Banning recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 19th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Toby Worthington made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alvin German in the 21st minute of play. Jessie Benson was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 23 minutes into the match. Rudolph McClain could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 25th minute of the match, but Otis Kuhn made a huge save. 29 minutes into the game, Conrad McClure recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Otis Kuhn. Conrad McClure showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. After having played for 36 minutes, Earl Barlow managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Griffins's supporters crossed their fingers, but Earl Barlow was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 38 minutes into the match, Hartwell FC's goal looked a bit too open when Earl Barlow came free, but Toby Worthington reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alvin German received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Toby Worthington tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Griffins's Alvin German got a good chance for a goal in the 46th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Earl Barlow had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Alvin German fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 48th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Toby Worthington having to interfere. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Denis Leon was the one to do the kick off. In the 55th minute of the match Rudolph McClain sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Otis Kuhn skillfully saved the ball. Alvin German blasted a shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Toby Worthington having to make a save. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lanny Banning got free with Toby Worthington in the 67th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 71st minute, Malcolm Meyer 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. Lanny Banning struck a weak shot in the 77th minute. Toby Worthington didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Griffins. A throw-in in the 84th minute of the game was made by Ben Naylor with Freddy Tapia as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. Lanny Banning scored 2-1 in the 86th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Toby Worthington, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Vernon Coppack's late challenge caught a Griffins's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Vernon Coppack helped the player get up and apologised. When Earl Barlow came up free with the goalie in the 96th minute, the Griffins 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 Earl Barlow couldn't finish the play. After 98 played minutes Hartwell FC got a freekick which was hit by Javier Mercer. When the referee blew the final whistle, Hartwell FC could leave the field as winners, despite Griffins having more of the ball for most of the match.