League

Purfleet Stadium
Spectators: 6842 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1842, VIP seats: 0) Purfleet's Piers Wiley 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. Jacob Simpson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jacob Simpson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marty Hughes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jacob Simpson , who was totally free with the ball in the 13th minute. 17 minutes into the match, Piers Wiley dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Alex Gettins , 1-0. In the 23rd minute, Brett Tucker hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Brett Tucker hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Teddy Croyden got free with Alex Gettins in the 33rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Alex Gettins acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 36th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Dennis Rice . Frances Marshall fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marty Hughes having to interfere. Alex Gettins made a fantastic save in the 47th minute, when Teddy Croyden sent off a good shot on target. 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.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Frances Marshall to make the kick off. If Teddy Croyden had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 58 minutes, Jacob Simpson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Horwich's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jacob Simpson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Alex Gettins didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Piers Wiley went, in the 60th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. After 65 minutes of play, Purfleet's Piers Wiley made it 3-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Alex Gettins was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 69th minute, Frances Marshall made a precise shot to the right of Marty Hughes. Purfleet's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. 72 minutes into the game, John Bedford was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Purfleet's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Horwich the free kick. In the 72nd match minute, Purfleet was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by John Bedford to maneuver through the defense. Frances Marshall received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Marty Hughes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Teddy Croyden had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Horwich's zone, Piers Wiley stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Alex Gettins came out of the goal and Piers Wiley tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 80 played minutes Horwich got a freekick which was hit by Samuel Barraclough . Piers Wiley took the ball and in the 82 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Alex Gettins . Alex Gettins dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 4-2. Purfleet's Piers Wiley got a good chance for a goal in the 86th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Alex Gettins took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Piers Wiley , even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 90 minutes into the match, Purfleet's Teddy Croyden sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Alex Gettins narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Purfleet were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Horwich for a fine match.