League

Thornhill
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Oscar Goldthorpe started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 9th minute Manchester City were awarded a corner. Giles Hitchen went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on Manchester City's corner Bruce Batty fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Lance Orchard quite easily take care of the ball. After a rather tough play, Walsall's Stuart Welsh got a free kick in the 14th minute. Lance Orchard made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Calvin Wakefield in the 18th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 21st minute, Calvin Wakefield managed to get in a good position for a shot. Manchester City's supporters rose to their feet, but Calvin Wakefield was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Lance Orchard breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Stew Osborn sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Matthew Knott hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. Stew Osborns short, quick shot in the 25thth minute got Lance Orchard to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After 26 played minutes Walsall got a freekick which was hit by Matthew Knott. After 36 played minutes, Manchester City's Dave Whittingham shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Lance Orchard came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Manchester City reached it. A collision led to Manchester City getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Kieran Richardson hit a great ball. Oscar Goldthorpe received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 39th minute. Stewart Hepburn tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 44th minute, Walsall's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Calvin Wakefield fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Calvin Wakefield sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Lance Orchard showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Calvin Wakefield in the 63rd minute of the match. If Calvin Wakefield had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Calvin Wakefield had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Stew Osborn in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lance Orchard saved Walsall from getting behind. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Calvin Wakefield in the 72nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lance Orchard prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Lance Orchard showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Stew Osborn, who was totally free with the ball in the 74th minute. Frankie Fleetwood was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 76 minutes into the match. In the 78th minute there was a penalty for Manchester City. Giles Hitchen stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Lance Orchard. 1-0. Stew Osborn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lance Orchard having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Stew Osborn's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Lance Orchard was relentless in the 94th minute of the game. Stew Osborn sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lance Orchard showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Calvin Wakefield in the 97th minute of the match.