League Play-Off

Oakley Park
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) New Bern's Angelo Randall 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. After a rather tough play, Oakley AFC's Ernie Snell got a free kick in the 4th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Oakley AFC's zone, Donald Holley stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rudolf Womack came out of the goal and Donald Holley tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Oakley AFC getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Sandy Nelson hit a great ball. Rudolf Womack stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Angelo Randall's shot from short distance in the 12th minute. 13 minutes into the match, Angelo Randall had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rudolf Womack. Oakley AFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Angelo Randall was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. If Angelo Randall had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Casper Thomson fell near the penalty area in the 24th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Oakley AFC's protests and gave Casper Thomson a yellow card for diving instead. In the 25th minute, Casper Thomson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 29 minutes into the game, New Bern's Donald Holley nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Rudolf Womack made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. Forrest Stroud hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. Sandy Nelson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Francis Flint fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Thomas Bolton having to interfere. Francis Flint recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 44th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Donald Holley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-3.

After some fancy dribbling in the 52nd minute, Francis Flint managed to get in a good position for a shot. Oakley AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Francis Flint was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Thomas Bolton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 57th minute, Donald Holley ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Rudolf Womack was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-4. Marcellus Alston recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 62nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Sandy Nelson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Thomas Bolton having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in New Bern's zone, Sandy Nelson stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thomas Bolton came out of the goal and Sandy Nelson tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sandy Nelson in the 82nd minute of play forced New Bern's goalkeeper Thomas Bolton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in New Bern's zone, Sandy Nelson stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thomas Bolton came out of the goal and Sandy Nelson tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, New Bern's Thomas Deering got a free kick in the 87th minute. Rudolf Womack showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marcellus Alston, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. New Bern had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.