Challenge

The Common
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Paul Mersø kicked off to start the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Patricio Costa managed to get in a good position for a shot. Venezuela's supporters rose to their feet, but Patricio Costa was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Vinnie Small breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 11th minute, Martyn Lawson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 15th minute of the match, Paul Mersø tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Jonathan Ferrant saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Tomas Illescas blasted a shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Vinnie Small having to make a save. Patricio Costa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Vinnie Small tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Robert Thorne in the 32nd minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vinnie Small having to interfere. A throw-in in the 38th minute of the game was made by Barrie Elvins with Piers Maloney as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. 42 minutes into the match, Clapham Comets F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Vinnie Small reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 45 minutes, Piers Maloney mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Clapham Comets F.C. and the Venezuela players grew even worse after the yellow card. Piers Maloney kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match. Patricio Costa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vinnie Small having to interfere.

Jack Myers kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. When Tomas Illescas came up free with the goalie in the 52nd minute, the Venezuela fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Tomas Illescas couldn't finish the play. Tomas Illescas scored 0-1 in the 55th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Vinnie Small, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After a defensive mix-up in Clapham Comets F.C.'s zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Vinnie Small 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. In the 61st minute, Tomas Illescas made a precise shot to the right of Vinnie Small. Clapham Comets F.C.'s defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-2. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Paul Mersø in the 66th 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. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Tomas Illescas during the 72nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Tomas Illescas hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. Tom Rosický sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vinnie Small made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Illescas in the 75th minute of play. In the 85th minute, Tomas Illescas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 88th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vinnie Small having to interfere. Paul Mersø hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match.