League

Ripon
Spectators: 6710 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1710, VIP seats: 0) In the 3rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Atherton's goalkeeper Brendan Holbrook, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 5 minutes into the game, Kerry Lester was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Atherton's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ripon the free kick. Kerry Lester kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. Yong Woodson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Cobi Ring recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Yong Woodson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gerald Butler didn't succeed to prevent the ball from going into goal when Atherton's Donny McGowan shot an unexpected shot in the crossbar's under edge and made 0-1 in the ordered_time% minute. A collision led to Atherton getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Daniel Gaines hit a great ball. 34 minutes into the match, Ripon's goal looked a bit too open when Donny McGowan came free, but Gerald Butler reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Donny McGowan in the 36th minute of play forced Ripon's goalkeeper Gerald Butler to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 37th minute, Donny McGowan made a precise shot to the right of Gerald Butler. Ripon's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-2. After having played for 45 minutes, Denis Califf managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atherton's supporters crossed their fingers, but Denis Califf was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

After 52 played minutes Atherton got a freekick which was hit by Antonio Wang. An unexpectedly hard shot by Antonio Wang in the 59th minute of play forced Ripon's goalkeeper Gerald Butler to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 62 minutes into the match, Atherton's goal looked a bit too open when Yong Woodson came free, but Brendan Holbrook reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 68 minutes into the match, Denis Califf notched a goal, 0-3, to the right of Ripon's Gerald Butler. Gerald Butler was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Brendan Holbrook showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yong Woodson in the 74th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cobi Ring in the 78th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brendan Holbrook saved Atherton from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 81st minute, Denis Califf managed to get in a good position for a shot. Atherton's supporters rose to their feet, but Denis Califf was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gerald Butler breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 85 minutes into the match, Atherton's goal looked a bit too open when Cobi Ring came free, but Brendan Holbrook reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 89 minutes into the match, Atherton's goal looked a bit too open when Cobi Ring came free, but Brendan Holbrook reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 91st minute Cobi Ring shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brendan Holbrook saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Ripon's Gerald Butler got control of the ball when Denis Califf tried to sneak it across the goal line. Denis Califf struck a weak shot in the 94th minute. Gerald Butler didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Atherton. Atherton's Denis Califf got a good chance for a goal in the 97th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Atherton had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.