League

North Force Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) North Force FC's Jeff Yeo 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. Matty Batty sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ciarán Merchant recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 9th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Matty Batty sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 13 played minutes Rochford City got a freekick which was hit by Calum Atkins. Matty Batty received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Sammy Barnes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Sammy Barnes came out of the goal in the 17th minute to try and stop a shot by North Force FC's Matty Batty. But to his dismay, Matty Batty quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. Dave Tomelty showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jason Davis, who was totally free with the ball in the 27th minute. Calum Atkins's late challenge caught a North Force FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Calum Atkins helped the player get up and apologised. Calum Atkins kicked well hit freekick during the 34th minute of the match. In the 36th minute, Ciarán Merchant ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Dave Tomelty was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Ciarán Merchant received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Dave Tomelty tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Rochford City booed when North Force FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Johnny Crommelin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ted Butler Yeats, 48 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. 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 Ciarán Merchant stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. It seemed to be an obvious goal in the 53rd minute, but Dave Tomelty got his fingers on the ball or the save, leaving North Force FC hanging dry this time. A collision led to Rochford City getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Damian Brontë hit a great ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Jeff Yeo in the 68th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Sammy Barnes prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Sammy Barnes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jeff Yeo, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. In the 77th minute Matty Batty shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sammy Barnes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 80 minutes into the match, Rochford City's goal looked a bit too open when Eamonn Healy came free, but Sammy Barnes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. George Kay sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jeff Yeo in the 91st minute of play forced Rochford City's goalkeeper Sammy Barnes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Matty Batty fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sammy Barnes having to interfere. Jason Davis in the 97thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Dave Tomelty, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. North Force FC's Dave Tomelty played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jason Davis in the 97th minute of play. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.