League

Staines Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Sammy Tanner started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Keanu Helks sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Gus Santos came up free with the goalie in the 6th minute, the Eltham 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 Gus Santos couldn't finish the play. A hard shot 9 in the game by Sammy Tanner from a close distance when the talented Rob Snowdon managed to make a qualified save. Eltham's players were relieved. The supporters of Gillingham Town fc booed when Eltham was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Frazer Cartwright didn't get a good kick on the ball. Keanu Helks fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Stewart Downes having to interfere. 17 minutes into the match, Jeff Ellis had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Stewart Downes. Gillingham Town fc's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Jeff Ellis was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Rob Snowdon stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Sammy Tanner's shot from short distance in the 21st minute. When Eltham's Gus Santos in the 24th minute got a chance for a shot 24th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Gillingham Town fc's goalie prevented a goal. A collision led to Gillingham Town fc getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Freddie Ackroyd hit a great ball. If Sammy Tanner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The wind increased when Keanu Helks made the kick off in the second half. Tristan Gerrard might have been able to make a better finish in the 54th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Rob Snowdon. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tristan Gerrard ran back to his position shaking his head. 55 minutes into the game, Jeff Ellis was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Eltham's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Gillingham Town fc the free kick. If Sammy Tanner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 59th match minute, Eltham was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Keanu Helks to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Gillingham Town fc getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Freddie Ackroyd hit a great ball. Keanu Helks struck a weak shot in the 68th minute. Stewart Downes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Eltham. In the 70th minute of the match, Gus Santos got a very nice opportunity to score, but Stewart Downes was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. If Larry Chilton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Stewart Downes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Keanu Helks, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Frazer Cartwright sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Stewart Downes acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 85th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Casey Holmes. A sloppy throw-in by Kieran Chandler in the 87th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Gillingham Town fc's Thomas Hill. After 89 played minutes Eltham got a freekick which was hit by Jeff Ellis. Jeff Ellis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 95th minute, one of Gillingham Town fc:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Gillingham Town fc. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Eltham had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.