Challenge

Hurst Rec Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham 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. After a defensive mix-up in Merton Albion FC's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Laurence Barraclough came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 6 minutes into the match, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Laurence Barraclough narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The audience was convinced that Daniel Zorita's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Laurence Barraclough was relentless in the 7th minute of the game. In the 9thth minute of the game Daniel Zorita 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 for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Daniel Zorita's shot from short distance in the 11th minute. 15 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 20th 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. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 21st minute got a chance for a shot 21st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Merton Albion FC's goalie prevented a goal. 26 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Laurence Barraclough was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laurence Barraclough having to interfere. 32 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Merton Albion FC's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Laurence Barraclough came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 37 minutes in the game Primitivo Andino did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Felix Montenegro. Disappointed in the 0-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Daniel Zorita to make the kick off. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 52nd minute of the match, but Laurence Barraclough made a huge save. Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Cristian Sancho 52 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-3. In the 56th 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 0-4. In the 60th minute Cristian Sancho 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. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 63rd minute of the match, but Laurence Barraclough made a huge save. 64 minutes had been played when some careless play by Merton Albion FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Daniel Zorita fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Laurence Barraclough quite easily take care of the ball. Laurence Barraclough was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Felix Montenegro showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-5 in the 66 minute of play. In the 68th minute Cristian Sancho 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. 73 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Laurence Barraclough. Daniel Zorita showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-6. 77 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper Laurence Barraclough had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 81st minute of the match, managed to save Merton Albion FC from getting a goal against them. The supporters of Merton Albion FC booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Felix Montes didn't get a good kick on the ball. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dean Ashton in the 82nd minute of the match. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Laurence Barraclough came out and tried to block the shot, but Daniel Zorita slotted it home off the left post making it 0-7 in the 87th minute. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from John-Paul Whittingham in the 91st minute of the match. In the 92nd minute John-Paul Whittingham shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 93 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. John-Paul Whittingham was slow to take the kick. During this time Merton Albion FC's players had a chance to rest. It was a well-played corner which Martyn Haines managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. In the 95th minute, Felix Montes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The Merton Albion FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Ecuador were clearly better and deserved to take the win.