League Play-Off

Litchfield
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Eau Claire's Brian Dotson started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 3rd minute, Antony Terrell hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Kerry Askew fell near the penalty area in the 5th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Eau Claire's protests and gave Kerry Askew a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Eau Claire's Kerry Askew got a free kick in the 5th minute. Raul Sloan kicked well hit freekick during the 9th minute of the match. Bernardo Phillips showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Brian Dotson, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Will Benitez in the 12th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Earl Darling prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Brian Dotson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Paul Ng during the 16th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 16th match minute, Eau Claire was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Paul Ng to maneuver through the defense. Homer Pereira could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 17th minute of the match, but Earl Darling made a huge save. Will Benitez might have been able to make a better finish in the 18th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Earl Darling. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Will Benitez ran back to his position shaking his head. Homer Pereira could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 20th minute of the match, but Earl Darling made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Will Benitez in the 21st minute of play forced Eau Claire's goalkeeper Earl Darling to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bernardo Phillips took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Brian Dotson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by Litchfield's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Kerry Askew was slow to take the kick. During this time Eau Claire's players had a chance to rest. The corner ended in Kerry Askew almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Litchfield's Bernardo Phillips did a great save. Will Benitez was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 29th minute. Litchfield's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Diego Lynn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bernardo Phillips having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Brian Dotson in the 38th minute of play forced Litchfield's goalkeeper Bernardo Phillips to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Eau Claire's zone, Homer Pereira stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Earl Darling came out of the goal and Homer Pereira tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Bernardo Phillips showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Brian Dotson, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Kory Webb hit a great freekick 52 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Brian Dotson in the 62nd minute of play forced Litchfield's goalkeeper Bernardo Phillips to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 63 played minutes Eau Claire got a freekick which was hit by Antony Terrell. A collision led to Eau Claire getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Antony Terrell hit a great ball. Bernardo Phillips was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Diego Lynn showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-2 in the 76 minute of play. In the 80th minute Brian Dotson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernardo Phillips saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Litchfield's Kory Webb got a free kick in the 84th minute. Earl Darling showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Homer Pereira, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. 89 minutes into the match, Eau Claire's goal looked a bit too open when Homer Pereira came free, but Earl Darling reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Will Benitez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 92nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Earl Darling having to interfere. 94 minutes into the match, Eau Claire's goal looked a bit too open when Will Benitez came free, but Earl Darling reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The Eau Claire supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Eau Claire would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.