League

Stanford le Hope Sta
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Frankie McBreen started the match with the kick off. Liam Gough struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Barney Sullivan didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Stanford le Hope United. Marty Routledge recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Stanford le Hope United's Stevie Perryman played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Frankie McBreen in the 11th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Ham Rangers's zone, Liam Gough stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Barney Sullivan came out of the goal and Liam Gough tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Stevie Perryman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marty Routledge in the 18th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Stanford le Hope United's Trev Gower got a free kick in the 21st minute. Barney Sullivan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Wally Beaumont in the 24th minute. Trev Gower sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 29th minute of the match, Liam Gough tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Barney Sullivan saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Trev Gower could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Barney Sullivan made a huge save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Liam Gough in the 39th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Barney Sullivan saved Ham Rangers from getting behind. If Liam Gough had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Stanford le Hope United's Trev Gower got a good chance for a goal in the 43rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ham Rangers's Barney Sullivan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Liam Gough in the 46th minute of play. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Liam Gough to strike the kick off in the second half. Barney Sullivan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Liam Gough, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Ham Rangers getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Rex Hibbert hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trev Gower in the 58th minute of play forced Ham Rangers's goalkeeper Barney Sullivan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 60th minute, Nath Winfield hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Gary Parks fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Ham Rangers's protests and gave Gary Parks a yellow card for diving instead. Liam Gough fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Barney Sullivan having to interfere. Liam Gough received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Barney Sullivan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gary Parks hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. When the match had gone on for 84 minutes, Liam Gough put it in 2-0 from a short distance just to the right of Barney Sullivan. Marty Routledge could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 88th minute of the match, but Stevie Perryman made a huge save. When the referee ended the match the Stanford le Hope United players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.