Bedford
Spectators: 6851 (Terracing: 5000,
Seating: 1851, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Eddy Carlick got the match started through his kick off. After having played for 4 minutes, George McGuinness managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. North Petherton FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but George McGuinness was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Brian Close got free with Tommy Ballantine in the 7th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 11 played minutes North Petherton FC got a freekick which was hit by Martin Westwood . Eddy Carlick struck a weak shot in the 12th minute. Tommy Ballantine didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bedford. Brian Close sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 24 played minutes Bedford got a freekick which was hit by Leon Henry . Bedford's Jacob Clapham played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by George McGuinness in the 27th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Brian Close got free with Tommy Ballantine in the 32nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 34 minutes into the game, John Heywood cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Jacob Clapham was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Tommy Ballantine didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Brian Close went, in the 48th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.
The wind increased when George McGuinness made the kick off in the second half. After having played for 55 minutes, George McGuinness managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. North Petherton FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but George McGuinness was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 58 minutes into the match, North Petherton FC's goal looked a bit too open when Eddy Carlick came free, but Tommy Ballantine reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Bedford's Brian Close got a good chance for a goal in the 59th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Brian Close fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tommy Ballantine having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in North Petherton FC's zone, Eddy Carlick stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tommy Ballantine came out of the goal and Eddy Carlick tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, North Petherton FC's Blair Craven got a free kick in the 67th minute. Brian Close scored 2-1 in the 70th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Tommy Ballantine, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. George McGuinness recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 76th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers George McGuinness in the 78th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jacob Clapham saved Bedford from getting behind. In the 80th minute George McGuinness shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jacob Clapham saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Leon Henry 's late challenge caught a North Petherton FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Leon Henry helped the player get up and apologised. Leon Henry hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eddy Carlick in the 84th minute of play forced North Petherton FC's goalkeeper Tommy Ballantine to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 87th minute Eddy Carlick shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tommy Ballantine saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 88 minutes, Blair Craven mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the North Petherton FC and the Bedford players grew even worse after the yellow card. John Heywood fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jacob Clapham having to interfere. Jacob Clapham was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but John Heywood showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-2 in the 96 minute of play. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.
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