League

Dale Cotterill Arena
Spectators: 8392 (Terracing: 6296, Seating: 1930, VIP seats: 166) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Lewis Milton got the match started through his kick off. When Miles Gamble fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Blandford Forum's protests and gave Miles Gamble a yellow card for diving instead. Hextable United's Carl Budden played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lewis Milton in the 10th minute of play. An unexpected shot in the 12th minute by Craig Snowden got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. 15 minutes into the match, Hextable United's goal looked a bit too open when Syd Pallister came free, but Carl Budden reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 17 minutes, Jack Broadhurst managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Blandford Forum's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jack Broadhurst was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Syd Pallister in the 18th minute of play forced Hextable United's goalkeeper Carl Budden to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Lewis Milton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Syd Pallister in the 27th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Carl Budden prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Lewis Milton in the 30th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Carl Budden saved Hextable United from getting behind. A collision led to Hextable United getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Tyler Cahill hit a great ball. Blandford Forum's Liam Bray proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Blandford Forum from getting a goal against them. Craig Snowden struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Liam Bray didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Hextable United. 41 minutes into the game, Ethan French was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Hextable United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Blandford Forum the free kick. Lewis Milton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Syd Pallister received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 48th minute. Carl Budden tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The wind increased when Dean Atkins made the kick off in the second half. After 56 minutes, Craig Snowden made it 1-1 with a short kick to the right side. Blandford Forum's Liam Bray tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Carl Budden made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lewis Milton in the 60th minute of play. Ruben Moss hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. Liam Bray made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Atkins in the 65th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Syd Pallister got free with Carl Budden in the 71st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Carl Budden made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lewis Milton in the 72nd minute of play. Lewis Milton hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. After 79 played minutes Hextable United got a freekick which was hit by Devon Bassett. Lewis Milton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Carl Budden took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lewis Milton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Syd Pallister had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Craig Snowden had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 97thth minute of the game Lewis Milton who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Hextable United's Carl Budden was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Hextable United fans cheered their team off the field, for while Blandford Forum had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.