League

Highbury
Spectators: 5859 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1759, VIP seats: 100) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Rick Hurst started the match with the kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Frank Pearch during the 2nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 2nd minute, Frank Pearch hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The supporters of Arsenal London FC booed when Catford City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 5 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vince Corbett didn't get a good kick on the ball. Damien Beaumont's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Phil Turner read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 7th minute of play. Damien Beaumont received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Phil Turner tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 10 played minutes Catford City got a freekick which was hit by Peter Senior. When the match had gone on for 12 minutes, Damien Beaumont put it in 1-0 from a short distance just to the right of Phil Turner. Neil Hargrave showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jez Buckley in the 15th minute of the match. 2-0 became the score in the 18th minute when Damien Beaumont elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. Neil Hargrave showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rick Hurst, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Phil Turner took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Weatherhead, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 36th minute the ball was on its way in behind Arsenal London FC's goalkeeper Neil Hargrave, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Rick Hurst fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Neil Hargrave having to interfere. Arsenal London FC's Neil Hargrave played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rick Hurst in the 40th minute of play. Neil Hargrave took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jez Buckley, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jez Buckley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

The wind increased when Joel Weatherhead made the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Vince Corbett got free with Neil Hargrave in the 51st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 54th match minute, Catford City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rick Coleman to maneuver through the defense. In the 54th minute of the match Frank Pearch shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Phil Turner showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Phil Turner showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Weatherhead, who was totally free with the ball in the 63rd minute. If Rick Hurst had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 66th match minute, Catford City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfie Maxwell to maneuver through the defense. 72 minutes into the game, Jez Buckley was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Catford City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Arsenal London FC the free kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Joel Weatherhead in the 76th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Phil Turner prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Rick Hurst sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Romeo Buchanan hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. In the 85thth minute of the game Rick Hurst who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Arsenal London FC's Neil Hargrave was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After a rather tough play, Catford City's Rick Hurst got a free kick in the 88th minute. In the 93rd minute, Sonny McGovern hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. For all the effort they put into the match, the Catford City players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Arsenal London FC.