League

Snailbeach and Stipe
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Bob Hughes got the match started through his kick off. Silvester Byrom acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 7th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Tom Seaward. In the 8th minute, Chris Moxey hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Bob Hughes struck a weak shot in the 12th minute. Billie Middleton didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bedlington. In the 22nd minute Bob Hughes shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Billie Middleton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 24 minutes into the game, Bedlington's Bob Hughes nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Billie Middleton made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. After a rather tough play, Snailbeach and Stiperstones United's Tom Seaward got a free kick in the 27th minute. Tyler Whittaker received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Billie Middleton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 32nd minute, Bob Hughes managed to get in a good position for a shot. Bedlington's supporters rose to their feet, but Bob Hughes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Billie Middleton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 34th minute, Geoff Fairbank hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 36th match minute, Snailbeach and Stiperstones United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vic Garrett to maneuver through the defense. Bedlington's Silvester Byrom proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 40th minute of the match, managed to save Bedlington from getting a goal against them. With a little luck, Bedlington's Silvester Byrom got control of the ball when Roger McCunnie tried to sneak it across the goal line. Silvester Byrom made an important save on a dangerous shot by Roger McCunnie in the 46th minute. The Snailbeach and Stiperstones United players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Bedlington were winning 0-1.

Silvester Byrom took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Curtis Wardle, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Snailbeach and Stiperstones United's zone, Bob Hughes stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Billie Middleton came out of the goal and Bob Hughes tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Tyler Whittaker let the left foot speak when in front of goal in the 68th minute shot 0-2 at rihgt post. Bedlington's Bob Hughes got a good chance for a goal in the 79th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Billie Middleton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Chris Moxey in the 81st minute of the match. 83 minutes had been played when some careless play by Snailbeach and Stiperstones United's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Malcolm Hayes was slow to take the kick. During this time Bedlington's players had a chance to rest. Bedlington's Malcolm Hayes was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Billie Middleton in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. When Rhys Verity fell near the penalty area in the 85th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Snailbeach and Stiperstones United's protests and gave Rhys Verity a yellow card for diving instead. After 85 played minutes Snailbeach and Stiperstones United got a freekick which was hit by Rhys Verity. When Tyler Whittaker, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 87 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Billie Middleton was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. An unexpected shot in the 89th minute by Bob Hughes got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. In the 91st minute, Daryl Pool hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 93rd minute Roger McCunnie shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Silvester Byrom saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bedlington's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.