League Play-Off

Willenhall Park
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Manuel Larios got the match started through his kick off. In the 4th match minute, Northampton FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Andrés Cerritos to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Northampton FC's zone, Manuel Larios stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rolando Corrales came out of the goal and Manuel Larios tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 14th minute Manuel Larios shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rolando Corrales saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rolando Messias recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Willenhall FC's zone, Erick Pimentel stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Juan Ramirez came out of the goal and Erick Pimentel tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A hard shot by Libardo Umaña from long distance, 23 minutes into the match, got Rolando Corrales's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. In the 29th minute, Pedro Salguero hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Willenhall FC's Isaac Messias couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 30th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Northampton FC. When Rony Madariaga came up free with the goalie in the 32nd minute, the Northampton FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rony Madariaga couldn't finish the play. Manuel Larios sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 36 minutes, Rolando Messias managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Willenhall FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rolando Messias was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Northampton FC's Rolando Corrales played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Manuel Larios in the 40th minute of play. Manuel Larios struck a weak shot in the 41st minute. Rolando Corrales didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Willenhall FC. 44 minutes in the game, Manuel Larios fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Rolando Corrales having to interfere. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Juan Ramirez made a fantastic save in the 53rd minute, when Dagoberto Cortez sent off a good shot on target. When Northampton FC's Erick Pimentel in the 55th minute got a chance for a shot 55th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Willenhall FC's goalie prevented a goal. If Rolando Messias had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 59 played minutes Northampton FC got a freekick which was hit by Rony Madariaga. If Rolando Messias had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Erick Pimentel kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. When Mario Tobar fell near the penalty area in the 66th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Willenhall FC's protests and gave Mario Tobar a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Willenhall FC's Abraham Toledano got a free kick in the 70th minute. In the 71st minute, Ramon Mejia sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Willenhall FC's Juan Ramirez didn't even have to move. Rolando Corrales made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Manuel Larios in the 77th minute of play. After 83 minutes, Rony Madariaga mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Northampton FC and the Willenhall FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Willenhall FC booed when Northampton FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rony Madariaga didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a little luck, Willenhall FC's Juan Ramirez got control of the ball when Dagoberto Cortez tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Erick Pimentel had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Abraham Toledano hit a great freekick 96 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 97th minute, Dagoberto Cortez managed to get in a good position for a shot. Northampton FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Dagoberto Cortez was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Juan Ramirez breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick.