League

The Sweatihad Arena
Spectators: 6000 (Terracing: 4700, Seating: 1275, VIP seats: 25) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Frank Leslie got the match started through his kick off. In the 5th minute, Malcolm McAleer 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. In the 6th minute Frank Leslie shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Mansfield saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 9th minute, Malcolm McAleer 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 a rather tough play, Maine Road FC's Joe Godfrey got a free kick in the 10th minute. In the 11th match minute, Maine Road FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hugh Duckworth to maneuver through the defense. Pedro Mansfield showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Malcolm McAleer, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. Frank Leslie sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Steve Bridgeman was out of position in the 30 minute of play, and Sol Stockley capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Sol Stockley really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. Malcolm McAleer might have been able to make a better finish in the 33rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Pedro Mansfield. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Malcolm McAleer ran back to his position shaking his head. Frank Leslie sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Sol Stockley to strike the kick off in the second half. Frank Leslie fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Mansfield having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Sol Stockley's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Steve Bridgeman was relentless in the 56th minute of the game. In the 59th minute Sol Stockley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Steve Bridgeman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Malcolm McAleer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 62 minutes into the match, Maine Road FC's goal looked a bit too open when Frank Leslie came free, but Pedro Mansfield reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Frank Leslie's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Pedro Mansfield was relentless in the 67th minute of the game. Andrew Holden's late challenge caught a Maine Road FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Andrew Holden helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Maine Road FC booed when Zulu Army was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Andrew Holden didn't get a good kick on the ball. Malcolm McAleer 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. In the 74th match minute, Maine Road FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Laurence Legg to maneuver through the defense. Malcolm McAleer struck a weak shot in the 75th minute. Pedro Mansfield didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Zulu Army. After a defensive mix-up in Zulu Army's zone, Joe Godfrey stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Steve Bridgeman came out of the goal and Joe Godfrey tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, Zulu Army's Adrian Roebuck got a free kick in the 82nd minute. After 87 played minutes Zulu Army got a freekick which was hit by Malcolm McAleer. In the 95th minute, Jude Reddington 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. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.