Challenge

Hurst Rec Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) John-Paul Whittingham started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 6th minute of play forced Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper Laurence Barraclough to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After taking down the ball on Venezuela's corner Tomas Illescas fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Laurence Barraclough quite easily take care of the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Merton Albion FC's zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Laurence Barraclough came out of the goal and Tomas Illescas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Salvador Gisbert kicked well hit freekick during the 17th minute of the match. Dean Ashton succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-0 in the 18th playminute. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laurence Barraclough having to interfere. Martyn Haines might have been able to make a better finish in the 26th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jonathan Ferrant. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Martyn Haines ran back to his position shaking his head. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dean Ashton in the 29th minute. Dean Ashtons short, quick shot in the 38thth minute got Jonathan Ferrant to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 39 minutes in the game Rod Constantine did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Dean Ashton. In the 44th minute, Merton Albion FC's Dean Ashton dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tomas Illescas to strike the kick off in the second half. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dean Ashton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Merton Albion FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rod Constantine didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from John-Paul Whittingham in the 61st minute of the match. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from John-Paul Whittingham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from John-Paul Whittingham in the 65th minute of the match. 66 minutes into the match, John-Paul Whittingham notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Patricio Costa's late challenge caught a Merton Albion FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Patricio Costa helped the player get up and apologised. In the 69th minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 75 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Dean Ashton came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dean Ashton in the 77th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Dean Ashton in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jonathan Ferrant saved Venezuela from getting behind. Slawomir Cieliczka hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Patricio Costa was extremely unlucky when he, in the 81st minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Venezuela's supporters rose to their feet, but Tomas Illescas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Laurence Barraclough breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 89th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dean Ashton in the 92nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jonathan Ferrant prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 95 minutes into the match, Venezuela's Tomas Illescas sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Laurence Barraclough narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Merton Albion FC walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.