League

Noak Hill Road
Spectators: 8023 (Terracing: 6019, Seating: 1845, VIP seats: 159) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Josh Jordan kicked off to start the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Josh Jordan in the 3rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ryan Harper saved Watton-at-Stone from getting behind. In the 4th minute, Josh Jordan made a precise shot to the right of Ryan Harper. Watton-at-Stone's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. Lenny Lonsdale recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 16 played minutes Watton-at-Stone got a freekick which was hit by Marty Gale. In the 25th minute, Connor Little hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Kris Winterbine struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Patrick Housham didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Watton-at-Stone. Lenny Lonsdale kicked well hit freekick during the 31st minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Kris Winterbine's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Patrick Housham was relentless in the 37th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sean Chambers in the 38th minute of play forced Willingale Hotspur F.C.'s goalkeeper Patrick Housham to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Josh Jordan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Kris Winterbine to strike the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the match Keith Jordoan climbed in front of goal and pressed up 1-1 in the right cross behind a totally surprised Patrick Housham. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Dennis Trotter during the 55th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Willingale Hotspur F.C. booed when Watton-at-Stone was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 55 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dennis Trotter didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 60 minutes of play, Willingale Hotspur F.C.'s Josh Jordan made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Ryan Harper was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 73rd minute, Watton-at-Stone's Kris Winterbine ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Patrick Housham. Patrick Housham yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-2. Patrick Housham made a fantastic save in the 76th minute, when Sean Chambers sent off a good shot on target. The crowd rose to their feet as Watton-at-Stone's Marty Gale slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Patrick Housham. That made the score 2-3 after 78 minutes of play. The supporters of Willingale Hotspur F.C. booed when Watton-at-Stone was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dennis Trotter didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Alf Bartlett had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 84th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Marty Gale's late challenge caught a Willingale Hotspur F.C.'s player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marty Gale helped the player get up and apologised. In the 88th match minute, Watton-at-Stone was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marty Gale to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Willingale Hotspur F.C.'s Kristian Castledine got a free kick in the 91st minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Marty Gale in the 95th minute of play forced Willingale Hotspur F.C.'s goalkeeper Patrick Housham to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Watton-at-Stone supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Watton-at-Stone would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.