League Play-Off

St Ives
Spectators: 37 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Alvaro Escobar took the kick off in the first half of the match. Luis Madariaga recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 4th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Luis Madariaga could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 7th minute of the match, but Januario Gamero made a huge save. In the 11thth minute of the game Giovani Pérez who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Whitefield's Januario Gamero was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Arnoldo Ruiz in the 12th minute of play forced St Ives City's goalkeeper Benji Mejia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benji Mejia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alvaro Escobar in the 18th minute of the match. Esteban Morales's late challenge caught a Whitefield's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Esteban Morales helped the player get up and apologised. If Alvaro Escobar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Giovani Pérez's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Januario Gamero read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 25th minute of play. When St Ives City's Giovani Pérez in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Whitefield's goalie prevented a goal. In the 30th minute Alvaro Escobar shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benji Mejia saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Alvaro Escobar blasted a shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Benji Mejia having to make a save. Odir Villatoro's late challenge caught a Whitefield's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Odir Villatoro helped the player get up and apologised. After 34 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for St Ives City! After a defensive mix-up in Whitefield's zone, Giovani Pérez stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Januario Gamero came out of the goal and Giovani Pérez tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With a little luck, Whitefield's Januario Gamero got control of the ball when Luis Madariaga tried to sneak it across the goal line. Benji Mejia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arnoldo Ruiz in the 44th minute of the match. In the 46th minute the ball was on its way in behind St Ives City's goalkeeper Benji Mejia, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

After 60 played minutes St Ives City got a freekick which was hit by Oswaldo Fornos. Alvaro Escobar sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Benji Mejia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alvaro Escobar in the 64th minute of play. In the 65th match minute, St Ives City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Oswaldo Fornos to maneuver through the defense. Arnoldo Ruiz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benji Mejia having to interfere. After 68 minutes of play St Ives City's Esteban Morales was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. In the 69th minute, Esteban Morales hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Benji Mejia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alvaro Escobar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Benji Mejia didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 78th minute, which inside left pole to 0-2. After having played for 81 minutes, Guillermo Contrera managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Whitefield's supporters crossed their fingers, but Guillermo Contrera was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Alvaro Escobar recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 83rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The crowd rose to their feet as Alvaro Escobar kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Benji Mejia. That made the score 0-3 in the 86 minute of play. The St Ives City fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Whitefield were clearly better and deserved to take the win.