League

Houghton le Spring S
Spectators: 6691 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1691, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Billy Meade got the match started through his kick off. Jeff Moxon came free with the goalkeeper in the 5th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Lloyd Manson could save by the left post. After a defensive mix-up in Houghton le Spring's zone, Kristopher Boyle stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tod Skipton came out of the goal and Kristopher Boyle tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 13 played minutes Houghton le Spring got a freekick which was hit by Stewart Howard. When the match had gone on for 14 minutes, Kristopher Boyle put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Tod Skipton. Anthony Robson hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. Lenny Preece took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 21st minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Tod Skipton. Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Tod Skipton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kristopher Boyle in the 22nd minute of the match. In the 22nd minute, Anthony Robson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 27th minute, Billy Meade managed to get in a good position for a shot. Houghton le Spring's supporters rose to their feet, but Billy Meade was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Lloyd Manson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 43rdth minute of the game Kristopher Boyle who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Houghton le Spring's Tod Skipton was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Tod Skipton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kristopher Boyle in the 47th minute of the match. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Kristopher Boyle made a kick off. A collision led to Houghton le Spring getting a freekick after 51 minutes play. Anthony Robson hit a great ball. Benji Holland's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 52ndth minute, Tod Skipton skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Tod Skipton was a little too slow when Kristopher Boyle got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 54th minute. The score was now 0-2. In the 59th minute of the match Den Hutchins shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Tod Skipton showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Benji Hollands short, quick shot in the 64thth minute got Tod Skipton to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Kristopher Boyle in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tod Skipton saved Houghton le Spring from getting behind. If Billy Meade had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Billy Meade in the 82nd minute of play forced Malton's goalkeeper Lloyd Manson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tod Skipton made a fantastic save in the 84th minute, when Benji Holland sent off a good shot on target. An unexpectedly hard shot by Kristopher Boyle in the 91st minute of play forced Houghton le Spring's goalkeeper Tod Skipton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When the final whistle sounded Malton left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Houghton le Spring.