League

Richmond
Spectators: 6733 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1733, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Jude Hindmarsh made the kick off which started today's match. The audience was convinced that Ray Merchant's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Michael Zamora was relentless in the 10th minute of the game. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Byron Kemp in the 11th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Michael Zamora saved Richmond City from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ray Merchant in the 14th minute of play forced Richmond City's goalkeeper Michael Zamora to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Wayne Speed got free with Jo Poole in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Wayne Speed blasted a shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jo Poole having to make a save. Michael Zamora took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Byron Kemp, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 26 minutes into the game, Ray Merchant cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Michael Zamora was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Byron Kemp in the 31st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Michael Zamora prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Ray Merchant recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Teddy Phippard charged in rather forcefully in the 36th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Teddy Phippard the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 36th minute, Teddy Phippard hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to Pondersbridge AFC getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Harry Hibbert hit a great ball. Michael Zamora showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ray Merchant in the 45th minute of the match. Wayne Speed could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 47th minute of the match, but Jo Poole made a huge save.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Byron Kemp was the one to do the kick off. Ray Merchant scored 0-3 in the 51st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Michael Zamora, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 59th minute Wayne Speed shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jo Poole saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ray Merchant fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Michael Zamora having to interfere. Michael Zamora made a fantastic save in the 65th minute, when Ray Merchant sent off a good shot on target. Ray Merchant's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Michael Zamora read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 66th minute of play. In the 68th minute Byron Kemp shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Michael Zamora saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Richmond City's Jude Hindmarsh got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Ray Merchant had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Richmond City's Ty Wilson got a free kick in the 84th minute. Michael Zamora made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ray Merchant in the 87th minute. The Richmond City fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Pondersbridge AFC were clearly better and deserved to take the win.