League

Burridge Town
Spectators: 6633 (Terracing: 5633, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Julian Monkhouse made the kick off which started today's match. Fred Wishart showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kris Rowell in the 3rd minute of the match. Den Coe received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Nigel Watkinson came out and tried to block the shot, but Den Coe slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 9th minute. Phoenix FC's Robert Gerrard suffered a sore thigh after 12 minutes and couldn't finish the game. 12 minutes into the game, Rodney Craddock was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Finley FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Phoenix FC the free kick. In the 13th match minute, Finley FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rodney Craddock to maneuver through the defense. Ronnie Wheeler sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vic Johnson charged in rather forcefully in the 16th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Vic Johnson the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Phoenix FC's Ronnie Wheeler got a good chance for a goal in the 17th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. During the 18th minute of the match Rodney Craddock completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Rodney Craddock a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. In the 19th match minute, Finley FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rodney Craddock to maneuver through the defense. In the 20th minute, Ronnie Wheeler left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Phoenix FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. 24 minutes into the match, Ronnie Wheeler had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Fred Wishart. Finley FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ronnie Wheeler was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. The supporters of Phoenix FC booed when Finley FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 29 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ivan Litchfield didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 31 minutes, Ronnie Wheeler managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Phoenix FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ronnie Wheeler was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ethan Hudson during the 34th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 34 played minutes Finley FC got a freekick which was hit by Ethan Hudson. Finley FC's Fred Wishart played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ronnie Wheeler in the 35th minute of play. When Warren Lindley came up free with the goalie in the 38th minute, the Phoenix FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Warren Lindley couldn't finish the play. Warren Lindley received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Fred Wishart tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Fred Wishart showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ronnie Wheeler, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. Ronnie Wheeler fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Fred Wishart having to interfere. The supporters of Phoenix FC booed when Finley FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ethan Hudson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Disappointed in the 1-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Francis Jones to strike the kick off in the second half. The corner led Finley FC's Keiran Connor to fire away a dangerous shot which Nigel Watkinson despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Finley FC's zone, Julian Monkhouse stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Fred Wishart came out of the goal and Julian Monkhouse tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Finley FC getting a freekick after 63 minutes play. Ethan Hudson hit a great ball. 64 minutes into the game, Ronnie Wheeler recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Fred Wishart. Ronnie Wheeler showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-3. Ivan Litchfield sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Ronnie Wheeler had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Kris Rowell 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. After 84 minutes, Kris Rowell mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Phoenix FC and the Finley FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After having played for 87 minutes, Ronnie Wheeler managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Phoenix FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ronnie Wheeler was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Ivan Litchfield had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Phoenix FC's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.