League

Rodley Park
Spectators: 6701 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1701, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Jake Higgins got the match started through his kick off. If Dave Renner had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 11th minute, Jay Hassell got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Black Country's zone, Dave Renner stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kirk Freeman came out of the goal and Dave Renner tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dave Renner received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Kirk Freeman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Black Country's Carl Pointon got a free kick in the 21st minute. Rodley's Alastair Harris couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Black Country. In the 23rd match minute, Black Country was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Will Branston to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Frankie Clegg in the 29th minute of play forced Rodley's goalkeeper Jeff Margarson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Black Country's Frankie Clegg got a free kick in the 31st minute. 34 minutes into the game, Will Branston was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Black Country's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rodley the free kick. Will Branston kicked well hit freekick during the 34th minute of the match. In the 36th minute Liam Auckland managed to get in a great position but fired away a sharp shot that went outside the goal on the goalie's right hand side. It could just as well have been a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jay Hassell in the 38th minute of play forced Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dave Renner fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Kirk Freeman having to interfere. After having played for 44 minutes, Jake Higgins managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Black Country's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jake Higgins was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 45 minutes into the match, Black Country's Frankie Clegg sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jeff Margarson narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 47 minutes into the match, Black Country's Frankie Clegg sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jeff Margarson narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Jay Hassell was the one to do the kick off. Frankie Clegg might have been able to make a better finish in the 51st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jeff Margarson. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Frankie Clegg ran back to his position shaking his head. Kirk Freeman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jay Hassell in the 56th minute of the match. 57 minutes into the match, Rodley's Jay Hassell sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Kirk Freeman narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jay Hassell in the 59th minute of play forced Black Country's goalkeeper Kirk Freeman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dave Renner sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Frankie Clegg's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 77thth minute, Jeff Margarson skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. After 82 minutes, Kirk Phelps mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Black Country and the Rodley players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Black Country's Kirk Phelps got a free kick in the 82nd minute. Jay Hassell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Kirk Freeman tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jay Hassell might have been able to make a better finish in the 96th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Kirk Freeman. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Jay Hassell ran back to his position shaking his head. Rodley were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.