League Play-Off

Crookes Park
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Manuel Palma kicked off to start the match. Rene Messias took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alfredo Del Cid, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 8th match minute, COTO F.C was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnoldo Lovo to maneuver through the defense. If Roberto Guerrero had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 10th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 23rd minute, Henry Menjivar hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Rene Messias showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Christian Barreto, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Christian Barreto 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. Alfredo Del Cid recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 39 minutes, Shawn Sigaran mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the COTO F.C and the East Grinstead AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, COTO F.C's Shawn Sigaran got a free kick in the 39th minute. Alfredo Del Cid's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rene Messias read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 44th minute of play. Antonio Melendez charged in rather forcefully in the 45th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Antonio Melendez the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Alfredo Del Cid to make the kick off. Orlando Tobar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Roberto Guerrero in the 51st minute of play. With a little luck, COTO F.C's Rene Messias got control of the ball when Antonio Melendez tried to sneak it across the goal line. When Antonio Melendez came up free with the goalie in the 57th minute, the East Grinstead AFC 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 Antonio Melendez couldn't finish the play. Christian Barreto struck a weak shot in the 59th minute. Rene Messias didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for East Grinstead AFC. After a defensive mix-up in COTO F.C's zone, Alfredo Del Cid stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rene Messias came out of the goal and Alfredo Del Cid tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 61st match minute, COTO F.C was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Esteban Galdamez to maneuver through the defense. Alfredo Del Cid sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, COTO F.C's Rene Messias got control of the ball when Alfredo Del Cid tried to sneak it across the goal line. Manuel Palma sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of East Grinstead AFC booed when COTO F.C was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 80 match minutes in a wonderful position. Henry Menjivar didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alfredo Del Cid recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With his leg Rene Messias managed to avoid a goal in the 86thth minute, when East Grinstead AFC's Christian Barreto fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Rene Messias stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Christian Barreto's shot from short distance in the 90th minute. Ismael Renderos fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rene Messias having to interfere. COTO F.C succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though East Grinstead AFC had controlled the match.