League

Cheshunt
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Alistair Jones fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Miles Booth having to interfere. Tosh Bartrup made an important save on a dangerous shot by Vic Bray in the 10th minute. After a rather tough play, Sandy FC's Matthew Charles got a free kick in the 11th minute. Neil Dunne, 12 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pete Wicks in the 14th minute of play forced Sandy FC's goalkeeper Miles Booth to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Newbiggin Hall booed when Sandy FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mick Parrott didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 18th minute of the match Neil Dunne shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Miles Booth showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Matthew Charles charged in rather forcefully in the 20th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Matthew Charles the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 20th match minute, Sandy FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matthew Charles to maneuver through the defense. Kelvin Probert who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 22ndth minute tested the skills of Tosh Bartrup when he managed to save the team from getting behind. When Alistair Jones fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Newbiggin Hall's protests and gave Alistair Jones a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Newbiggin Hall's Alistair Jones got a free kick in the 25th minute. After some careless play in the Newbiggin Hall defense, Vic Bray kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Tosh Bartrup. The Newbiggin Hall fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Tosh Bartrup should have stopped the shot. Miles Booth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alistair Jones in the 31st minute of play. If Vic Bray had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With his leg Tosh Bartrup managed to avoid a goal in the 38thth minute, when Sandy FC's Kelvin Probert fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After 40 minutes of play, Newbiggin Hall's Pete Wicks made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Miles Booth was left in no man's land by his defense there! 45 minutes into the match, Newbiggin Hall's goalkeeper Tosh Bartrup had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Kelvin Probert. Kelvin Probert might have been able to make a better finish in the 47th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tosh Bartrup. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Kelvin Probert ran back to his position shaking his head. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Miles Booth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pete Wicks in the 55th minute of play. Matthew Charles recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 59th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Newbiggin Hall's Alistair Jones got a good chance for a goal in the 61st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ted Davison's late challenge caught a Sandy FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ted Davison helped the player get up and apologised. After 64 played minutes Newbiggin Hall got a freekick which was hit by Ted Davison. 67 minutes into the match, Sandy FC's goal looked a bit too open when Pete Wicks came free, but Miles Booth reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alistair Jones sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Pete Wicks received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Miles Booth tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Newbiggin Hall's Pete Wicks got a good chance for a goal in the 77th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Tosh Bartrup made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kelvin Probert in the 86th minute of play. Vic Bray fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 92nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tosh Bartrup having to interfere. 94 minutes into the game, Kelvin Probert cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Tosh Bartrup was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Newbiggin Hall's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.