League Play-Off

Beck Park
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Dillon Trotter made the kick off which started today's match. When Vicente Tate fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cockermouth United's protests and gave Vicente Tate a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd minute, Vicente Tate hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 8th minute Dillon Trotter shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Phil Dooley saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 11th minute, Garth Sprague 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Garth Sprague in the 13th minute of play forced Shazam FC's goalkeeper Merle Spicer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Merle Spicer showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Shawn Tompkins in the 14th minute of the match. Shazam FC's Reggie Abbott couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 16th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Cockermouth United. The supporters of Cockermouth United booed when Shazam FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juan Spivey didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 24th minute, Cockermouth United's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Dillon Trotter fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Dillon Trotter during the 28th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Garth Sprague recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With a little luck, Cockermouth United's Phil Dooley got control of the ball when Sherman Larson tried to sneak it across the goal line. Merle Spicer showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Shawn Tompkins in the 40th minute of the match. Shazam FC's Merle Spicer played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Shawn Tompkins in the 42nd minute of play. Shawn Tompkins fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Merle Spicer having to interfere. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

After a defensive mix-up in Cockermouth United's zone, Dillon Trotter stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Phil Dooley came out of the goal and Dillon Trotter tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 61st minute Dillon Trotter shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Phil Dooley saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Merle Spicer stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Garth Sprague's shot from short distance in the 65th minute. Merle Spicer made a fantastic save in the 67th minute, when Shawn Tompkins sent off a good shot on target. If Garth Sprague had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 69th minute, Rhett Faulk hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Garth Sprague received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Merle Spicer tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 80th match minute, Shazam FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tyrell Dickey to maneuver through the defense. Garth Sprague's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Merle Spicer read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. Shawn Tompkinss short, quick shot in the 89thth minute got Merle Spicer to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 90 minutes into the game, Garth Sprague recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Merle Spicer. Garth Sprague showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-1. Shawn Tompkins fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Merle Spicer having to interfere. The Shazam FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Cockermouth United were clearly better and deserved to take the win.