League

Meruthera Park
Spectators: 6950 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1800, VIP seats: 150) Gregg Laughton started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Welland's Neale Bridson got a good chance for a goal in the 4th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 11th minute, Justin Mcvey got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Burt Rafferty made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Justin Mcvey in the 18th minute of play. Justin Mcvey received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 19th minute. Burt Rafferty tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 22 minutes, Evan Cridland managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Meruthera's supporters crossed their fingers, but Evan Cridland was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Welland's Gregg Laughton got a good chance for a goal in the 29th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 29 minutes into the match, Meruthera's goal looked a bit too open when Neale Bridson came free, but Bernie Surman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Gregg Laughton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Evan Cridland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 39th minute, Gregg Laughton got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

53 minutes into the match, Meruthera's goalkeeper Bernie Surman had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Neale Bridson. In the 55th play minute Neale Bridson came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Bernie Surman. 0-1. Neale Bridson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 61st minute. Bernie Surman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ray Fessey kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Justin Mcvey in the 64th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Burt Rafferty prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Welland's zone, Justin Mcvey stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Burt Rafferty came out of the goal and Justin Mcvey tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 86 minutes into the match, Welland's goal looked a bit too open when Justin Mcvey came free, but Burt Rafferty reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 87 played minutes Welland got a freekick which was hit by Bryan Reiter. The supporters of Welland booed when Meruthera was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jemmett Babbage didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 96 minutes of play, Welland's Neale Bridson made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Bernie Surman was left in no man's land by his defense there! The Meruthera supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Welland's performance. The match ended with a win for Welland.