Challenge

Hurst Rec Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when John-Paul Whittingham took the kick off in the first half of the match. Dean Ashton received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Julio Vera came out and tried to block the shot, but Dean Ashton slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 2nd minute. In the 6th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 7 minutes Ecuador's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was John-Paul Whittingham who took care of the corner kick. Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Julio Vera in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Laurence Barraclough showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. In the 14th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laurence Barraclough saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Laurence Barraclough made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 19th minute of play. In the 19th minute, Daniel Zorita ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Laurence Barraclough was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. In the 26th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 27th match minute, Merton Albion FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Slawomir Cieliczka to maneuver through the defense. Agustín Saelices fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laurence Barraclough having to interfere. In the 31st minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laurence Barraclough saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 32nd minute. In the 35th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 38th minute. Luis Andino made a great header on Ecuador's corner, it was just that Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough managed to reach the ball for a save. Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham got a good chance for a goal in the 42nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Laurence Barraclough tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 51st minute of the match, managed to save Merton Albion FC from getting a goal against them. After 52 minutes, John-Paul Whittingham mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Merton Albion FC and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dean Ashton in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 65 minutes in the game Felix Montenegro did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Daniel Zorita. 68 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Martyn Haines came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 68 minutes into the match, Martyn Haines had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Martyn Haines was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. Laurence Barraclough made an important save on a dangerous shot by Felix Montenegro in the 71st minute. John-Paul Whittingham blasted a shot towards the goal in the 76th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Julio Vera having to make a save. With an all-out effort, Ecuador's Laurence Barraclough threw himself towards the right post 79 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Luis Andino, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. The corner led Ecuador's Cristian Sancho to fire away a dangerous shot which Laurence Barraclough despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 80thth minute of the game Cristian Sancho who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Laurence Barraclough stood somewhat misplaced when Cristian Sancho came free in front of goal and shot 2-2 to the left of him in the 80 minute. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 84th minute. The corner led Ecuador's Daniel Zorita to fire away a dangerous shot which Laurence Barraclough despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Luis Andino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Laurence Barraclough made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 90th minute. John-Paul Whittingham took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 96th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Julio Vera. Ecuador's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Ecuador were clearly unhappy with the draw, as they felt they had done enough to earn themselves a victory.