League

Snailbeach and Stipe
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Jeff Merrill made the kick off which started today's match. 6 minutes into the match, Witham AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Geoff Fairbank came free, but Sonny Hodgson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sonny Hodgson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Curtis Wardle in the 7th minute. Sonny Hodgson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Geoff Fairbank in the 12th minute of play. Geoff Fairbank's late challenge caught a Witham AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Geoff Fairbank helped the player get up and apologised. Geoff Fairbank hit a great freekick 17 minutes into the match. If Curtis Wardle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Curtis Wardle's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 22ndth minute, Sonny Hodgson skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Curtis Wardle took the ball and in the 25 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Sonny Hodgson. Sonny Hodgson dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. Max Bridgewater hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. In the 34th minute Geoff Fairbank shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sonny Hodgson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Geoff Fairbank sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Curtis Wardle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jeff Merrill sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-0 at half-time.

55 minutes into the match, Witham AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Curtis Wardle came free, but Sonny Hodgson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 63rd minute, Rufus Sutherland made a precise shot to the right of Sonny Hodgson. Witham AFC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-0. Geoff Fairbank recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 71st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Geoff Fairbank had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sonny Hodgson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Geoff Fairbank, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jeff Merrill during the 84th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Witham AFC getting a freekick after 84 minutes play. Jeff Merrill hit a great ball. Geoff Fairbank sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Snailbeach and Stiperstones United's zone, Jeff Merrill stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Billie Middleton came out of the goal and Jeff Merrill tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Curtis Wardle sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. It was beautiful to see Witham AFC's Jeff Merrill in action when he in the 95th minute dribbled his way through a couple of opponents and the fired away a shot from almost standing still. First the ball seemed to get in, but turned out to be on the outside of the net. A great chance! Witham AFC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.