League

Whitworth
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Alan Longstaff took the kick off in the first half of the match. Whitworth's Iain Armstrong played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alan Longstaff in the 4th minute of play. A collision led to Whitworth getting a freekick after 4 minutes play. Nial Clough hit a great ball. Steven Carey-Bertram made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tom Leighton in the 6th minute of play. Alan Longstaff sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 13th minute, Alan Longstaff managed to get in a good position for a shot. Timperley United's supporters rose to their feet, but Alan Longstaff was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Iain Armstrong breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 14th minute Leon Cross shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iain Armstrong saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 15 minutes into the game, Nial Clough was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Whitworth's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Timperley United the free kick. The supporters of Timperley United booed when Whitworth was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 15 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nial Clough didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alastair Noble received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Iain Armstrong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Timperley United's Leon Cross got a free kick in the 23rd minute. Alan Longstaff's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Iain Armstrong read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 28th minute of play. Fraser Cooper fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Iain Armstrong having to interfere. Iain Armstrong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alan Longstaff, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 38 minutes, Rupert Ingram mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Whitworth and the Timperley United players grew even worse after the yellow card. Rupert Ingram hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. In the 40th minute Alan Longstaff shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iain Armstrong saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Alastair Noble fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 41st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Iain Armstrong having to interfere. In the 44th minute, Andrew Westerby hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 45th minute of the match Rupert Ingram shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Steven Carey-Bertram showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. If Alastair Noble had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 48th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Tom Leighton made a kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Whitworth's zone, Alan Longstaff stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Iain Armstrong came out of the goal and Alan Longstaff tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Iain Armstrong made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alastair Noble in the 60th minute. In the 61st minute, Jack Noble ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Iain Armstrong was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. In the 65th minute of the match, Jack Noble got a very nice opportunity to score, but Iain Armstrong was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. In the 68th minute, Tom Leighton ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Steven Carey-Bertram was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tom Leighton in the 71st minute of play forced Timperley United's goalkeeper Steven Carey-Bertram to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Iain Armstrong made an important save on a dangerous shot by Jack Noble in the 74th minute. Whitworth's Iain Armstrong played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fraser Cooper in the 76th minute of play. Nial Clough sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 82 minutes into the game, Whitworth's Rupert Varley nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Steven Carey-Bertram made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. Steven Carey-Bertram took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rupert Varley, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rupert Varley in the 90th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Steven Carey-Bertram saved Timperley United from getting behind. Tom Leighton took the ball and in the 92 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Steven Carey-Bertram. Steven Carey-Bertram dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. Andrew Westerby was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 94 minutes into the match. Timperley United's supporters were dissatisfied at the end of the match because Whitworth had won, even though Timperley United had held more of the ball.