League

Gurulmundi Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) In the 14th minute Brand Schoenke shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Navarro Duggan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Brand Schoenke's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Navarro Duggan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 17th minute of play. A collision led to Gurulmundi getting a freekick after 21 minutes play. Bran Whittington hit a great ball. Navarro Duggan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Brand Schoenke, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 25th match minute, Gurulmundi was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arne Willding to maneuver through the defense. The audience was convinced that Brand Schoenke's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Navarro Duggan was relentless in the 26th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Brand Schoenke in the 29th minute of play forced Gurulmundi's goalkeeper Navarro Duggan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 30 played minutes Middlefield got a freekick which was hit by Damon Pearce. If Bran Whittington had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 36 minutes, Arne Willding mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Gurulmundi and the Middlefield players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 36th minute, Arne Willding hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Navarro Duggan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Brand Schoenke, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Matthew Markwell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Allen Lucas in the 42nd minute of play. 44 minutes into the match, Middlefield's goal looked a bit too open when Bran Whittington came free, but Matthew Markwell reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bran Whittington in the 48th minute of play forced Middlefield's goalkeeper Matthew Markwell to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Bran Whittington stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Gurulmundi's Marco Berresford was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Matthew Markwell in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 56th minute Bran Whittington shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matthew Markwell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gurulmundi's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Brand Schoenke 61 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Brand Schoenke in the 70th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Navarro Duggan prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Middlefield's Iggy Kurth got a good chance for a goal in the 71st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Matthew Markwell showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rodney Loch, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Bran Whittington managed to get in a good position for a shot. Gurulmundi's supporters rose to their feet, but Bran Whittington was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Matthew Markwell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brand Schoenke in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Navarro Duggan saved Gurulmundi from getting behind. In the 85th match minute, Gurulmundi was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rodney Loch to maneuver through the defense. Brand Schoenke was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 95th minute. Middlefield's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. The Middlefield supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Middlefield would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.