League

Atherstone
Spectators: 6709 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1709, VIP seats: 0) Atherstone United's Alan Sears 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. After 2 played minutes Lovedean AFC got a freekick which was hit by Sidney Hollingsworth. 7 minutes into the match, Lovedean AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Alan Sears came free, but Simon Winship reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jerry Goodwick charged in rather forcefully in the 8th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jerry Goodwick the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Lovedean AFC booed when Atherstone United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jerry Goodwick didn't get a good kick on the ball. Owen Turk fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Simon Winship having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Lovedean AFC's zone, Alan Sears stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Simon Winship came out of the goal and Alan Sears tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, Atherstone United's Kieran Anderson got a free kick in the 18th minute. Simon Winship showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alan Sears, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. Eric Gurney took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rich Searle, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Eric Gurney showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rich Searle, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. Sidney Hollingsworth fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eric Gurney having to interfere. After having played for 30 minutes, Alan Sears managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atherstone United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alan Sears was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Rich Searle fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eric Gurney having to interfere. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Rich Searle to strike the kick off in the second half. Sidney Hollingsworth who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 53rdth minute tested the skills of Eric Gurney when he managed to save the team from getting behind. The crowd rose to their feet as Lovedean AFC's Rich Searle slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Eric Gurney. That made the score 1-1 after 58 minutes of play. Simon Winship showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Owen Turk, who was totally free with the ball in the 66th minute. If Alan Sears had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Simon Winship came out of the goal in the 73rd minute to try and stop a shot by Atherstone United's Owen Turk. But to his dismay, Owen Turk quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. Atherstone United's Eric Gurney proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 77th minute of the match, managed to save Atherstone United from getting a goal against them. In the 81st minute the ball was on its way in behind Lovedean AFC's goalkeeper Simon Winship, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 83 minutes into the match, Atherstone United's goal looked a bit too open when Rich Searle came free, but Eric Gurney reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Rich Searle 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. Rich Searle sent away a hard shot on goal in the 86th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alan Sears in the 97th minute of play forced Lovedean AFC's goalkeeper Simon Winship to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Atherstone United's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.