League Play-Off

East Cleveland Stadi
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) River Plate's Rick Lim 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, East Cleveland AFC's Nathan Ventura dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. East Cleveland AFC's Jay Wilkins played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Benny Vargas in the 6th minute of play. Stephen Joyner kicked well hit freekick during the 8th minute of the match. Archie Blankenship made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nathan Ventura in the 11th minute of play. In the 13thth minute of the game Nathan Ventura who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but River Plate's Archie Blankenship was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Nathan Ventura hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nathan Ventura in the 21st minute of play forced River Plate's goalkeeper Archie Blankenship to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 24 played minutes East Cleveland AFC got a freekick which was hit by Angelo Barney. Archie Blankenship showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nathan Ventura, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Jay Wilkins took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Benny Vargas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After having played for 35 minutes, Nathan Ventura managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. East Cleveland AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nathan Ventura was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Brant Lind's late challenge caught a East Cleveland AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Brant Lind helped the player get up and apologised. In the 37th match minute, River Plate was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brant Lind to maneuver through the defense. Leland Koehler kicked well hit freekick during the 39th minute of the match. Jay Wilkins took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Benny Vargas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

In the 51st minute Arthur Bocanegra shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Archie Blankenship saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nathan Ventura took the ball and in the 53 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Archie Blankenship. Archie Blankenship dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. Benny Vargas could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 57th minute of the match, but Jay Wilkins made a huge save. After having played for 60 minutes, Arthur Bocanegra managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. East Cleveland AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Arthur Bocanegra was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Nathan Ventura received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 61st minute. Archie Blankenship tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Benny Vargas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jay Wilkins having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rick Lim in the 67th minute of play forced East Cleveland AFC's goalkeeper Jay Wilkins to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 68 minutes into the match, East Cleveland AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Rick Lim came free, but Jay Wilkins reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Angelo Barney kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. River Plate's Rick Lim got a good chance for a goal in the 71st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Rick Lim sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Arthur Bocanegra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Loren Christie could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 89th minute of the match, but Jay Wilkins made a huge save. For all the effort they put into the match, the River Plate players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for East Cleveland AFC.