League

Stadio Rioja
Spectators: 7491 (Terracing: 5619, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 149) Paignton Panthers's Stefan Westlake 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rob Mayo in the 3rd minute of play forced Paignton Panthers's goalkeeper Crispin Krief to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Don Beerman fell near the penalty area in the 8th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Paignton Panthers's protests and gave Don Beerman a yellow card for diving instead. Don Beerman kicked well hit freekick during the 8th minute of the match. Don Beerman blasted a shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Zak White having to make a save. 11 minutes into the match, Steel Doves's goal looked a bit too open when Don Beerman came free, but Zak White reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Steel Doves's zone, Stefan Westlake stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zak White came out of the goal and Stefan Westlake tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 16th minute, Johnathan Fairs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Max Connell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Zak White tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Robert Harkness struck a weak shot in the 19th minute. Zak White didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Paignton Panthers. In the 23rd minute Rob Mayo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Crispin Krief saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Paignton Panthers's Crispin Krief proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 24th minute of the match, managed to save Paignton Panthers from getting a goal against them. If Stefan Westlake had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 35th minute, Johnathan Fairs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience was convinced that Stefan Westlake's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Zak White was relentless in the 37th minute of the game. 44 minutes into the game, Ronny Marlow was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Steel Doves's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Paignton Panthers the free kick. The supporters of Paignton Panthers booed when Steel Doves was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ronny Marlow didn't get a good kick on the ball. Stefan Westlake got in the 46th a clear chance and fired away a hard shot against goal, but Zak White handled the situation perfectly and made a save by the crossbar. Stefan Westlake struck a weak shot in the 48th minute. Zak White didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Paignton Panthers.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Rob Mayo was the one to do the kick off. Robert Harkness fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 58th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zak White having to interfere. Johnathan Fairs hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. 70 minutes had been played when some careless play by Steel Doves's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Theo Willoughby was slow to take the kick. During this time Paignton Panthers's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Paignton Panthers's corner Theo Willoughby fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Zak White quite easily take care of the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Steel Doves's zone, Theo Willoughby stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zak White came out of the goal and Theo Willoughby tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Steel Doves booed when Paignton Panthers was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Max Connell didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Steel Doves's Johnathan Fairs got a free kick in the 78th minute. The audience was convinced that Stefan Westlake's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Zak White was relentless in the 80th minute of the game. If Stefan Westlake had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After 83 played minutes Steel Doves got a freekick which was hit by Rio Marenghi. 84 minutes in the game Theo Willoughby got a great opportunity which he missed by shooting outside the goal. 87 minutes into the match, Paignton Panthers's goal looked a bit too open when Wally Howard came free, but Crispin Krief reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 96 minutes of play, Steel Doves's Rio Marenghi made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Crispin Krief was left in no man's land by his defense there! The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Steel Doves were victorious despite being under pressure from Paignton Panthers for much of the match.