Challenge

Hurst Rec Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Tomas Illescas made the kick off and thus started the match. John-Paul Whittingham struck a weak shot in the 6th minute. Jonathan Ferrant didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merton Albion FC. 8 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when John-Paul Whittingham came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Laurence Barraclough having to interfere. After having played for 13 minutes, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Venezuela's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tomas Illescas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 15th minute Dean Ashton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 25th minute, Dean Ashton reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Jonathan Ferrant. The goal made the score 1-0. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Merton Albion FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 29 match minutes in a wonderful position. Slawomir Cieliczka didn't get a good kick on the ball. A throw-in in the 31st minute of the game was made by Guillermo Mariano with Tomas Illescas as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. The crowd rose to their feet as Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Jonathan Ferrant. That made the score 2-0 after 33 minutes of play. Laurence Barraclough showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Illescas, who was totally free with the ball in the 37th minute. In the 38thth minute of the game Tomas Illescas 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. In the 40th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jonathan Venegas to maneuver through the defense. 41 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dean Ashton. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The wind increased when Dean Ashton made the kick off in the second half. Laurence Barraclough took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 52nd minute of the match Venezuela got a corner. Merton Albion FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Tomas Illescas ran over to the corner to take the kick. A nice corner shot did that Jonathan Venegas got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Laurence Barraclough quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Laurence Barraclough didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 52nd minute, which inside left pole to 2-1. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 63rd 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 played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Patricio Costa in the 65th minute of play. Tomas Illescas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Korneliusz Tyskie got a free kick in the 70th minute. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Calum Crittenden got a free kick in the 72nd minute. After 73 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Guillermo Mariano. After some fancy dribbling in the 75th 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. In the 80th minute, John-Paul Whittingham made a precise shot to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-2. Jonathan Ferrant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from John-Paul Whittingham, who was totally free with the ball in the 83rd minute. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Ashton in the 85th minute of play. In the 95th minute John-Paul Whittingham shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line.