League

Leigh
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Fakenham's Hugh Hollingsworth 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. Fakenham's Charlie Hird proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 3rd minute of the match, managed to save Fakenham from getting a goal against them. Tod Jennings received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 6th minute. Charlie Hird tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Charlie Hird showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tod Jennings in the 12th minute of the match. Charlie Hird made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tod Jennings in the 16th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tod Jennings in the 23rd minute of play forced Fakenham's goalkeeper Charlie Hird to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Trevor Featherstone sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Leigh's Tod Jennings got a good chance for a goal in the 26th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Trevor Featherstone fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Charlie Hird having to interfere. 37 minutes into the game, Brad Deaconsfield was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Leigh's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Fakenham the free kick. Brad Deaconsfield kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. In the 38th minute of the match Ralf Gibbons sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Dennis Baker skillfully saved the ball. Tod Jennings struck a weak shot in the 41st minute. Charlie Hird didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Leigh. Charlie Hird stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Tod Jennings's shot from short distance in the 44th minute. Charlie Hird showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tod Jennings, who was totally free with the ball in the 46th minute. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Tod Jennings stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. After 52 minutes, Tod Jennings made it 1-0 with a short kick to the right side. Fakenham's Charlie Hird tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Trevor Featherstone received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Charlie Hird tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Fakenham's Hugh Hollingsworth got a good chance for a goal in the 58th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. A collision led to Fakenham getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Dylan Halliday hit a great ball. Charlie Hird made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Trevor Featherstone in the 65th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Tod Jennings's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Charlie Hird was relentless in the 66th minute of the game. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tod Jennings in the 68th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Charlie Hird saved Fakenham from getting behind. In the 74th minute, Crispin Lobb hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Charlie Hird took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tod Jennings, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Trevor Featherstone's late challenge caught a Fakenham's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Trevor Featherstone helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Fakenham's Dylan Halliday got a free kick in the 78th minute. After a rather tough play, Leigh's Tod Jennings got a free kick in the 79th minute. When Tod Jennings got the opportunity to take care of a free kick it resulted in a really dangerous shot that almost went in the goal. Instead the ball went too high, a missed opportunity for Leigh. After 80 minutes of play Leigh's Trevor Featherstone was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. With a little luck, Leigh's Dennis Baker got control of the ball when Russell Bentley tried to sneak it across the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Micheal Hartley during the 85th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 85 played minutes Leigh got a freekick which was hit by Micheal Hartley. Dennis Baker was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Hugh Hollingsworth showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 88 minute of play. Dennis Baker made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hugh Hollingsworth in the 95th minute of play. Fakenham's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.