League

Harleston
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when John-Paul Whittingham kicked off to start the match. 6 minutes into the game, John-Paul Whittingham cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Shane Tipton was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alf Ashton during the 8th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Shane Tipton came out of the goal in the 14th minute to try and stop a shot by Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham. But to his dismay, John-Paul Whittingham quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. Simon Bean scored 0-3 in the 20th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Shane Tipton, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Shane Tipton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Simon Bean in the 25th minute of the match. 27 minutes into the game, John-Paul Whittingham cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. Shane Tipton was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Simon Bean in the 30th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Shane Tipton saved Harleston United from getting behind. 33 minutes into the game, John-Paul Whittingham cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-6. Shane Tipton was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Simon Bean received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Shane Tipton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 37th match minute, Merton Albion FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Colin Tindale to maneuver through the defense. Patrick Scargill sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Simon Bean scored 0-7 in the 44th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Shane Tipton, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 46 minutes into the game, Zaq Duff was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Harleston United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Merton Albion FC the free kick. Merton Albion FC made a substitution. Olly Connell replaced Calum Crittenden. After 49 played minutes Harleston United got a freekick which was hit by Zaq Duff. After the first half Merton Albion FC were leading 0-7. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Glyn Hurst was the one to do the kick off. The audience was convinced that Glyn Hurst's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Laurence Barraclough was relentless in the 54th minute of the game. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Sefa Abanoz got a free kick in the 59th minute. 61 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Glyn Hurst came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Shane Tipton made a fantastic save in the 65th minute, when Alf Ashton sent off a good shot on target. After some fancy dribbling in the 66th minute, Simon Bean managed to get in a good position for a shot. Merton Albion FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Simon Bean was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Shane Tipton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 68 minutes into the match, Harleston United's goalkeeper Shane Tipton had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alf Ashton. 68 minutes into the game, Alf Ashton recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Shane Tipton. Alf Ashton showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-8. Shane Tipton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Simon Bean, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Saško Chan got a free kick in the 75th minute. Shane Tipton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Simon Bean in the 79th minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 81 minutes, John-Paul Whittingham took a quick shot and it went in 0-9 without a chance for Shane Tipton to make any attempt to save it. In the 84th minute, Simon Bean ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Shane Tipton was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-10. Simon Bean could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Shane Tipton made a huge save. In the 92nd minute, Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-11. In the 96th minute, Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Shane Tipton. Shane Tipton yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-12. John-Paul Whittingham was extremely unlucky when he, in the 98th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out.