League

Empire Recea Stadium
Spectators: 7997 (Terracing: 5999, Seating: 1839, VIP seats: 159) Purfleet's John Bromley 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. John Bromley blasted a shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Martin Middlewood having to make a save. Martin Middlewood came out of the goal in the 18th minute to try and stop a shot by Purfleet's Pierce Moore. But to his dismay, Pierce Moore quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. After 20 minutes, Pierce Moore mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Purfleet and the Empire Club Recea players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 20th minute, Pierce Moore hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 22nd match minute, Empire Club Recea was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by David Frost to maneuver through the defense. John Bromley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Purfleet's Darius Simmons proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 31st minute of the match, managed to save Purfleet from getting a goal against them. Empire Club Recea's Martin Middlewood played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by John Bromley in the 36th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by John Bromley in the 42nd minute of play forced Empire Club Recea's goalkeeper Martin Middlewood to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Philip Bartram was the one to do the kick off. Purfleet's Darius Simmons played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Philip Bartram in the 53rd minute of play. Pierce Moore fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martin Middlewood having to interfere. Purfleet's Pierce Moore got a good chance for a goal in the 60th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 65 minutes into the match, Purfleet's goal looked a bit too open when Philip Bartram came free, but Darius Simmons reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Martin Middlewood stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of John Bromley 's shot from short distance in the 66th minute. 70 minutes into the game, Philip Bartram cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Darius Simmons was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. John Bromley fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 78th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martin Middlewood having to interfere. Keith Blanchflower could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 81st minute of the match, but Martin Middlewood made a huge save. After having played for 84 minutes, Philip Bartram managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Empire Club Recea's supporters crossed their fingers, but Philip Bartram was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 89th match minute, Purfleet was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pierce Moore to maneuver through the defense. Ciarán Best fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 92nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Darius Simmons having to interfere. Pierce Moore recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 95th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Pierce Moore had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Purfleet players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.