League

OKI WIN STADIUM
Spectators: 8045 (Terracing: 6035, Seating: 1850, VIP seats: 160) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Corey Leydin started the match with the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Corey Leydin in the 3rd minute of play forced Gold Coast United's goalkeeper Marshall Beattie to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 4 minutes into the match, Gold Coast United's goal looked a bit too open when Neil Gorham came free, but Marshall Beattie reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sydney Rockets's Arnie Howie played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Larkin Kuskop in the 6th minute of play. Larkin Kuskop received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 7th minute. Arnie Howie tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marshall Beattie took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Neil Gorham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Gold Coast United getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. David Gwin hit a great ball. Marshall Beattie came out of the goal in the 15th minute to try and stop a shot by Sydney Rockets's Corey Leydin. But to his dismay, Corey Leydin quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Jason Stebbing received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 19th minute. Arnie Howie tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 29 minutes in the game, the ball went up into the seats when Sydney Rockets's Corey Leydin fired away a shot that was just a little bit too high. He walked away shaking his head. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Corey Leydin in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marshall Beattie saved Gold Coast United from getting behind. The audience was convinced that Neil Gorham's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marshall Beattie was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. The supporters of Gold Coast United booed when Sydney Rockets was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carson Aroege didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sydney Rockets's Arnie Howie proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 37th minute of the match, managed to save Sydney Rockets from getting a goal against them. Neil Gorham sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Larkin Kuskop stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. If Bern Block had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Jason Stebbing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 59 minutes into the game, one of Sydney Rockets:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. In the 66th minute, Bern Block hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 67th minute, Murphey Barugh sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Gold Coast United's Marshall Beattie didn't even have to move. Arnie Howie showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Larkin Kuskop, who was totally free with the ball in the 73rd minute. Jason Stebbing received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Arnie Howie tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Gold Coast United's David Gwin got a free kick in the 78th minute. Sydney Rockets's Neil Gorham got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 84th minute, Neil Gorham managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sydney Rockets's supporters rose to their feet, but Neil Gorham was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marshall Beattie breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After having played for 86 minutes, Neil Gorham managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Sydney Rockets's supporters crossed their fingers, but Neil Gorham was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jason Stebbing received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 91st minute. Arnie Howie tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Arnie Howie showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Larkin Kuskop, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. With his leg Marshall Beattie managed to avoid a goal in the 95thth minute, when Sydney Rockets's Neil Gorham fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After 95 minutes, Bern Block mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Gold Coast United and the Sydney Rockets players grew even worse after the yellow card. Gold Coast United were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Sydney Rockets for a fine match.