League

Downham Market
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Henry Ellerby started the match with the kick off. In the 2nd match minute, Downham Market AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jamie Hammond to maneuver through the defense. Howden's defense didn't have a chance, in the 5th minute, when Henry Ellerby scored to the left of an out of position Will Glasby, making the score, 1-0. In the 8thth minute of the game Deon Blakeley who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Downham Market AFC's Jake Plummer was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Deon Blakeley in the 11th minute of play forced Downham Market AFC's goalkeeper Jake Plummer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tommy Byfield blasted a shot towards the goal in the 16th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jake Plummer having to make a save. Jake Plummer didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Tommy Byfield went, in the 18th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Deon Blakeley struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Jake Plummer didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Howden. Jake Plummer made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tommy Byfield in the 27th minute of play. After some careless play in the Downham Market AFC defense, Tommy Byfield kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Jake Plummer. The Downham Market AFC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Jake Plummer should have stopped the shot. 33 minutes into the match, Howden's goal looked a bit too open when Vic Jackson came free, but Will Glasby reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tommy Byfield sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Tommy Byfield had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Downham Market AFC's zone, Deon Blakeley stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jake Plummer came out of the goal and Deon Blakeley tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Deon Blakeley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Syd Wicks took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 49th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Jake Plummer. Downham Market AFC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tommy Byfield to strike the kick off in the second half. Deon Blakeley fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jake Plummer having to interfere. 64 minutes into the match, Howden's Tommy Byfield sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jake Plummer narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Tommy Byfield was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 67th minute. Howden's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. If Deon Blakeley had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jake Plummer made a fantastic save in the 71st minute, when Deon Blakeley sent off a good shot on target. Rueben Hales charged in rather forcefully in the 72nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Rueben Hales the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Downham Market AFC getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Rueben Hales hit a great ball. Rueben Hales's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Will Glasby read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 77th minute of play. Tommy Byfield received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 78th minute. Jake Plummer tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 82 minutes into the game, Tosh Butler was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Downham Market AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Howden the free kick. Syd Wicks shot the penalty kick right outside the post. In the 86th minute, Jamie Hammond hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tommy Byfield in the 87th minute of play forced Downham Market AFC's goalkeeper Jake Plummer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alistair Brown's late challenge caught a Downham Market AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Alistair Brown helped the player get up and apologised. After 94 played minutes Howden got a freekick which was hit by Alistair Brown. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Henry Ellerby in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Will Glasby prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Deon Blakeley had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Tommy Byfield had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 99th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Howden played a much better game than Downham Market AFC and deserved their victory. The Downham Market AFC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.