League

South Ockendon Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Ivor Spann started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Duncan Aldridge made a fantastic save in the 5th minute, when Thomas Lemerond sent off a good shot on target. Thomas Lemerond fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Aldridge having to interfere. 10 minutes into the match, Thomas Lemerond had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Duncan Aldridge. The Meldreth United's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Thomas Lemerond was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. In the 13th minute, Ivor Spann 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. Chip Ealham's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Duncan Aldridge read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 16th minute of play. If Thomas Lemerond had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to The Meldreth United getting a freekick after 18 minutes play. John Barber hit a great ball. Chip Ealham struck a weak shot in the 19th minute. Duncan Aldridge didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for South Ockendon. After some careless play in the The Meldreth United defense, Thomas Lemerond kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Duncan Aldridge. The The Meldreth United fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Duncan Aldridge should have stopped the shot. Thomas Lemerond fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Aldridge having to interfere. In the 30th minute, Greg Worth hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Duncan Aldridge made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Chip Ealham in the 32nd minute of play. Thomas Lemerond received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 37th minute. Duncan Aldridge tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 38th minute, Chip Ealham left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The South Ockendon fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-0. The supporters of South Ockendon booed when The Meldreth United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mick Younger didn't get a good kick on the ball. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Chip Ealham to make the kick off. Chip Ealham fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Aldridge having to interfere. 59 minutes into the match, The Meldreth United's goal looked a bit too open when Thomas Lemerond came free, but Duncan Aldridge reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Thomas Lemerond in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Duncan Aldridge prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Joe Hampton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mick Younger's late challenge caught a South Ockendon's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mick Younger helped the player get up and apologised. After 74 played minutes The Meldreth United got a freekick which was hit by Mick Younger. South Ockendon's Chip Ealham got a good chance for a goal in the 75th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Damon Bass during the 85th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Damon Bass kicked well hit freekick during the 85th minute of the match. Duncan Aldridge showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Chip Ealham in the 88th minute of the match. Mick Younger kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The South Ockendon fans cheered their team off the field, for while The Meldreth United had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.