League

Thatcham
Spectators: 6723 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Alexander Basterfield took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 9th minute Martyn Goldsmith shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Stuart Best saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Marcus Ackroyd came up free with the goalie in the 10th minute, the Widnes 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 Marcus Ackroyd couldn't finish the play. A collision led to Thatcham AFC getting a freekick after 12 minutes play. Tyrone Brazier hit a great ball. In the 14thth minute of the game Martyn Goldsmith who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Thatcham AFC's Stuart Best was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Thatcham AFC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Cliff Coleman in the 18th minute. Cliff Coleman made a great header on Thatcham AFC's corner, it was just that Widnes's Brett Lemerond managed to reach the ball for a save. When Marcus Ackroyd came up free with the goalie in the 21st minute, the Widnes 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 Marcus Ackroyd couldn't finish the play. When Martyn Goldsmith fell near the penalty area in the 22nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Widnes's protests and gave Martyn Goldsmith a yellow card for diving instead. In the 22nd minute, Martyn Goldsmith hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 26 minutes of play, Thatcham AFC's Alexander Basterfield made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Brett Lemerond was left in no man's land by his defense there! When Widnes's Martyn Goldsmith in the 29th minute got a chance for a shot 29th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Thatcham AFC's goalie prevented a goal. Martyn Dennison hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. Martyn Goldsmith recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 39th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Tyrone Brazier hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. In the 42ndth minute of the game Marcus Ackroyd who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Thatcham AFC's Stuart Best was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 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.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Marcus Ackroyd stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Martyn Goldsmith got free with Stuart Best in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. James Harper received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Brett Lemerond tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Nicholas Stone's late challenge caught a Widnes's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nicholas Stone helped the player get up and apologised. After 60 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Thatcham AFC! Stuart Best had in the 61stth minute some difficulties stopping Damian Floyd's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his right side, but he still managed to hold the ball After a long run with the ball, Damian Floyd did a trick in the 61st minute in front of Thatcham AFC's goalkeeper, who threw himself to the side. After that it was simple to shoot 1-2. An impressive performance by Widnes's Damian Floyd! Alexander Basterfield recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 72nd minute Alexander Basterfield shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brett Lemerond saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Martyn Goldsmith got free with Stuart Best in the 75th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 78 minutes into the match, Thatcham AFC's Alexander Basterfield sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Brett Lemerond narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With 82 minutes on the clock, Phil Wellings commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. After 81 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Widnes! Alexander Basterfield took the ball and in the 87 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Brett Lemerond. Brett Lemerond dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-2. 98 minutes into the match, Widnes's goal looked a bit too open when Alexander Basterfield came free, but Brett Lemerond reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Widnes's Simon Sykes got a free kick in the 99th minute.