League

Upminster
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Richie Tomkin started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. 6 minutes into the game, Henleaze Athletic FC's Sammy Billington nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Todd Bradfield made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Richie Tomkin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 12th minute, Philip Crowther hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 14 played minutes Upminster City got a freekick which was hit by Eric Beesley. Todd Bradfield made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Richie Tomkin in the 15th minute of play. 30 minutes into the match, Richie Tomkin had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Todd Bradfield. Upminster City's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Richie Tomkin was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Sammy Billington received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Todd Bradfield tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Richie Tomkin struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Todd Bradfield didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Henleaze Athletic FC. Todd Bradfield showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sammy Billington, who was totally free with the ball in the 41st minute. In the 43rd minute Richie Tomkin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Todd Bradfield saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The Upminster City players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Henleaze Athletic FC were winning 0-2.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Luke Parry to make the kick off. Sam Davies's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Todd Bradfield read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 51st minute of play. Luke Parry's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Toby Marenghi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 54th minute of play. Richie Tomkin blasted a shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Todd Bradfield having to make a save. Sammy Billington sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 1-2 became the score in the 61st minute when Luke Parry elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. In the 68th minute, Henleaze Athletic FC's Richie Tomkin dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-3. In the 74th minute, Henleaze Athletic FC's Richie Tomkin dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-4. Sammy Billington could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 84th minute of the match, but Todd Bradfield made a huge save. In the 86th minute Richie Tomkin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Todd Bradfield saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With his leg Todd Bradfield managed to avoid a goal in the 92ndth minute, when Henleaze Athletic FC's Sammy Billington fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. When Sammy Billington came up free with the goalie in the 94th minute, the Henleaze Athletic FC 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 Sammy Billington couldn't finish the play. After a defensive mix-up in Upminster City's zone, Richie Tomkin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Todd Bradfield came out of the goal and Richie Tomkin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When the match was over Henleaze Athletic FC could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Upminster City throughout the match.