League

Westhoughton
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Rod Goodall took the kick off in the first half of the match. With a little luck, Stanford le Hope's Chris Rowell got control of the ball when Isaac Cartwright tried to sneak it across the goal line. Isaac Cartwright fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Chris Rowell having to interfere. If Tim Pearce had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Stanford le Hope's Barrie Creighton in the 23rd minute got a chance for a shot 23rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Westhoughton City's goalie prevented a goal. In the 24th minute, Isaac Cartwright got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After 24 played minutes Rod Goodall rounded Stanford le Hope's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-0. Rod Goodall received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 27th minute. Chris Rowell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 29th minute, Rod Goodall hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 30 minutes into the game, Tim Pearce was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Stanford le Hope's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Westhoughton City the free kick. Isaac Cartwright who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 32ndth minute tested the skills of Chris Rowell when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Isaac Cartwright who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 42ndth minute tested the skills of Chris Rowell when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After having played for 43 minutes, Rod Goodall managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Westhoughton City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rod Goodall was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Chris Rowell had great luck who in the 46thth minute grab hold of the ball when Rod Goodall from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Stanford le Hope's Liam Marriot was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Robbie Osbourne in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Rod Goodall managed to get in a good position for a shot. Westhoughton City's supporters rose to their feet, but Rod Goodall was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Chris Rowell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When the match had gone on for 60 minutes, Tim Pearce put it in 1-2 from a short distance just to the right of Robbie Osbourne. After 65 played minutes Westhoughton City got a freekick which was hit by Kurt Morcom. Calvin Rigg's late challenge caught a Stanford le Hope's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Calvin Rigg helped the player get up and apologised. In the 69th match minute, Westhoughton City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Calvin Rigg to maneuver through the defense. Tim Pearce could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 71st minute of the match, but Robbie Osbourne made a huge save. Rod Goodall received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Chris Rowell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Stanford le Hope's zone, Rod Goodall stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Chris Rowell came out of the goal and Rod Goodall tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rod Goodall struck a weak shot in the 90th minute. Chris Rowell didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Westhoughton City. In the 92nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Stanford le Hope's goalkeeper Chris Rowell, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Chants of Stanford le Hope echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Westhoughton City had held the ball for most of the match.