League

Chiswick Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Chiswick's Gaz Breeden 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. Chiswick's Marlon Darnbrooke played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Will Burgess in the 7th minute of play. 12 minutes into the match, Hale's goalkeeper Ashley Harding had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sammy Dewhirst. Will Burgess sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marlon Darnbrooke took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Robin Eadan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Chiswick getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. William Slade hit a great ball. Chiswick's Marlon Darnbrooke played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Robin Eadan in the 23rd minute of play. Huey Beckford's late challenge caught a Chiswick's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Huey Beckford helped the player get up and apologised. In the 26th match minute, Hale was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Huey Beckford to maneuver through the defense. Chiswick were awarded a corner in the 29th minute after Hale's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Gaz Breeden took the corner. Sammy Dewhirst was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Joel Nelson hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. William Slade sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 38 minutes into the match, Hale's goal looked a bit too open when Gaz Breeden came free, but Ashley Harding reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 46 minutes into the game, Chiswick's Gaz Linford nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ashley Harding made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Will Burgess to make the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sammy Dewhirst in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ashley Harding saved Hale from getting behind. Ashley Harding didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Gaz Breeden went, in the 64th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. A collision led to Hale getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Will Burgess hit a great ball. The supporters of Chiswick booed when Hale was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Huey Beckford didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marlon Darnbrooke took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Robin Eadan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 86 minutes into the game, one of Chiswick:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Des Bayford shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Hale's Ashley Harding played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marty Clarke in the 95th minute of play. Hale's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.