League

the nookery
Spectators: 7577 (Terracing: 5683, Seating: 1743, VIP seats: 151) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Leroy Eagles took the kick off in the first half of the match. Ken Messenger showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vern Sands, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. 8 minutes into the game, Donald Goodfellow was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Lingdale Road FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Byfleet Rangers the free kick. In the 8th match minute, Lingdale Road FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Donald Goodfellow to maneuver through the defense. In the 10th minute, Junior Morse hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Joshua Sheppard sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 16 minutes into the match, Lingdale Road FC's goalkeeper Ryan Morrison had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ruben Haines. Ruben Hainess short, quick shot in the 18thth minute got Ryan Morrison to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Byfleet Rangers's Ken Messenger played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joshua Sheppard in the 21st minute of play. Joshua Sheppard received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Ken Messenger tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ken Messenger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vern Sands in the 30th minute of the match. When Donald Goodfellow was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 31 minutes had been played. Donald Goodfellow kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. Joshua Sheppard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ken Messenger having to interfere. 38 minutes into the match, Byfleet Rangers's goal looked a bit too open when Calvin Cusack came free, but Ken Messenger reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ken Messenger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vern Sands in the 41st minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Vern Sands's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Ken Messenger was relentless in the 43rd minute of the game. Vern Sands blasted a shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Ken Messenger having to make a save. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Vern Sands stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Vern Sands sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Ken Messenger made an important save on a dangerous shot by Calvin Cusack in the 63rd minute. After a rather tough play, Byfleet Rangers's Phil Butterfield got a free kick in the 65th minute. In the 66th match minute, Byfleet Rangers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jon Backhouse to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 67 minutes, Vern Sands managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Lingdale Road FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Vern Sands was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Joshua Sheppard got free with Ken Messenger in the 69th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The supporters of Lingdale Road FC booed when Byfleet Rangers was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 69 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tony Webster didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vern Sands recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 71st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Don Lynam who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 73rdth minute tested the skills of Ken Messenger when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Vern Sands recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 74th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 75 played minutes Byfleet Rangers got a freekick which was hit by Cliff Homes. Joshua Sheppards short, quick shot in the 79thth minute got Ken Messenger to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Joshua Sheppard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ken Messenger having to interfere. After some careless play in the Byfleet Rangers defense, Vern Sands kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Ken Messenger. The Byfleet Rangers fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Ken Messenger should have stopped the shot. Ken Messenger made an important save on a dangerous shot by Vern Sands in the 96th minute. Lingdale Road FC were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.