League

Rainhill
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Tristram Swallow kicked off to start the match. After a defensive mix-up in Mill Hill FC's zone, Alan Reading stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Matthew Beevers came out of the goal and Alan Reading tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 10th match minute, Mill Hill FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Larry Knight to maneuver through the defense. 14 minutes into the match, Keiran Emberson notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Rainhill's Luke Lane. Luke Lane was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After 19 played minutes Rainhill got a freekick which was hit by Simon Gray. Shaun Hartson might have been able to make a better finish in the 22nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Luke Lane. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Shaun Hartson ran back to his position shaking his head. Alan Reading was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 30th minute. Rainhill's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Chris Bittner in the 33rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Luke Lane prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Keiran Emberson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Mill Hill FC's Keiran Emberson got a good chance for a goal in the 38th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Keiran Emberson struck a weak shot in the 44th minute. Luke Lane didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mill Hill FC. When Tristram Swallow came up free with the goalie in the 47th minute, the Rainhill 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 Tristram Swallow couldn't finish the play. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

After having played for 52 minutes, Chris Bittner managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mill Hill FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Chris Bittner was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mill Hill FC's Chris Bittner got a good chance for a goal in the 56th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Keiran Emberson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Luke Lane took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Keiran Emberson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 60th minute, Simon Gray hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Chris Bittner who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 66thth minute tested the skills of Luke Lane when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Tristram Swallow took the ball and in the 70 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Matthew Beevers. Matthew Beevers dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-1. After having played for 74 minutes, Tristram Swallow managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Rainhill's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tristram Swallow was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some careless play in the Rainhill defense, Shaun Hartson kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Luke Lane. The Rainhill fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Luke Lane should have stopped the shot. In the 93rd minute, Ozzy Brough 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. In the 95thth minute of the game Tristram Swallow who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mill Hill FC's Matthew Beevers was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.