League

Ashton-under-Lyne
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Reggie Mannell took the kick off in the first half of the match. Antony Watson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ashton-under-Lyne's Matty Barraclough played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dylon Fairbank in the 7th minute of play. The corner led Whitstable United's Felix Kerfoot to fire away a dangerous shot which Matty Barraclough despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Matty Barraclough showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Antony Watson, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. Antony Watson might have been able to make a better finish in the 16th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Matty Barraclough. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Antony Watson ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 19th match minute, Ashton-under-Lyne was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mattias Bilton to maneuver through the defense. Theo McGrath took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Reggie Mannell, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Whitstable United's Denzil Dothery got a free kick in the 27th minute. If Dylon Fairbank had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 34 played minutes Whitstable United got a freekick which was hit by George Trotter. After 39 minutes, Grant Phimister mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ashton-under-Lyne and the Whitstable United players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Ashton-under-Lyne getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Grant Phimister hit a great ball. Don Rowe fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Theo McGrath having to interfere. Matty Barraclough made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dylon Fairbank in the 45th 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 audience thought a goal was coming when Dylon Fairbank got free with Matty Barraclough in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 55th minute Reggie Mannell shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Theo McGrath saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Reggie Mannell sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ed Breckin hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. 62 minutes into the match, Ashton-under-Lyne's Reggie Mannell sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Theo McGrath narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Antony Watson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matty Barraclough having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Whitstable United's Dylon Fairbank got a free kick in the 66th minute. Reggie Mannell's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Theo McGrath read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 71st minute of play. The supporters of Whitstable United booed when Ashton-under-Lyne was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 78 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ed Davey didn't get a good kick on the ball. The long shot by Denzil Dothery in the 80th minute really tested Matty Barraclough's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Whitstable United's Dylon Fairbank got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 84thth minute of the game Reggie Mannell who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Whitstable United's Theo McGrath was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Matty Barraclough didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Dylon Fairbank went, in the 87th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. If Reggie Mannell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Whitstable United getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. George Trotter hit a great ball. The Whitstable United players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.