League

OLD TRAFFORD
Spectators: 6880 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 150) Ellesmere United's Phil Hill started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Phil Hill's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Martyn Atkins read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 13th minute of play. Phil Hill received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Martyn Atkins tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 23 minutes, Alfie Dale made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Ellesmere United's Philip Fordham tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Phil Hill fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martyn Atkins having to interfere. 28 minutes into the game, Ripley's Alfie Dale nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Philip Fordham made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. If Phil Hill had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Ripley booed when Ellesmere United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 40 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mieszko Panikowski didn't get a good kick on the ball. Phil Hill fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martyn Atkins having to interfere. After the first half Ripley were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Alfie Dale was the one to do the kick off. Martyn Atkins made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mieszko Panikowski in the 55th minute of play. Jake Barber kicked well hit freekick during the 61st minute of the match. Phil Hill sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Phil Hill had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Thomas Leach hit a great freekick 70 minutes into the match. Mieszko Panikowski sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Martyn Atkins showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Phil Porter, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. A collision led to Ripley getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Vern Speight hit a great ball. Mieszko Panikowski received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. Martyn Atkins tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Ripley's Gary Wellings got a free kick in the 86th minute. 90 minutes into the match, Phil Hill notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Ripley's Martyn Atkins. Martyn Atkins was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ripley's Martyn Atkins played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Phil Hill in the 94th minute of play. Ripley were delighted with the way they had won the match. They had held their defensive line well and made the most of their chances, to claim a victory over Ellesmere United's much stronger midfield.