League

Thatcham
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) In the 6th match minute, Hackney Downs United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brad Cummins to maneuver through the defense. Shane Meadowcroft shot from long distance in the 7th minute, but Johnny Beck was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rex Hatcher in the 8th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Huey Barker saved Thatcham FC from getting behind. Rufus Ramsden hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. Hackney Downs United's Rex Hatcher got a good chance for a goal in the 10th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Larry Atherton came up free with the goalie in the 11th minute, the Hackney Downs United fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Larry Atherton couldn't finish the play. After a defensive mix-up in Thatcham FC's zone, Rex Hatcher stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Huey Barker came out of the goal and Rex Hatcher tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 12th minute, Crispin Searle hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Darryl Logan's late challenge caught a Hackney Downs United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Darryl Logan helped the player get up and apologised. During the 18th minute of the match Darryl Logan completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Darryl Logan a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. In the 19th match minute, Thatcham FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Darryl Logan to maneuver through the defense. 20 minutes into the match, Hackney Downs United's Joseph Partridge broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Huey Barker showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rex Hatcher in the 21st minute of the match. In the 28th minute the ball was on its way in behind Thatcham FC's goalkeeper Huey Barker, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Huey Barker made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rex Hatcher in the 32nd minute of play. Huey Barker came out of the goal in the 37th minute to try and stop a shot by Hackney Downs United's Rex Hatcher. But to his dismay, Rex Hatcher quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Huey Barker showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Larry Atherton, who was totally free with the ball in the 41st minute. Rex Hatcher received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Huey Barker tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Crispin Searle's late challenge caught a Hackney Downs United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Crispin Searle helped the player get up and apologised. In the 43rd minute, Crispin Searle hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Larry Atherton in the 45th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Huey Barker prevented the ball from getting in the gole.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Dave Philips was the one to do the kick off. 53 minutes had been played when some careless play by Hackney Downs United's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Shane Meadowcroft was slow to take the kick. During this time Thatcham FC's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Thatcham FC's corner Shane Meadowcroft fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Johnny Beck quite easily take care of the ball. Dave Philips sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rex Hatcher fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Huey Barker having to interfere. Dave Philips recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 63rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Johnny Beck took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Craig Ramsay, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Huey Barker showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Larry Atherton, who was totally free with the ball in the 66th minute. After some careless play in the Hackney Downs United defense, Dave Philips kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Johnny Beck. The Hackney Downs United fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Johnny Beck should have stopped the shot. Rex Hatcher fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Huey Barker having to interfere. Rex Hatcher recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 79th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 90 minutes into the match, Larry Atherton dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Huey Barker, 1-2. Larry Atherton might have been able to make a better finish in the 95th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Huey Barker. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Larry Atherton ran back to his position shaking his head. The Thatcham FC supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Hackney Downs United's performance. The match ended with a win for Hackney Downs United.