League

Fakenham Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Vinnie Cardwell kicked off to start the match. Charlie Hird made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vinnie Cardwell in the 6th minute of play. After 7 minutes, Johnathon Wilkes mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Fakenham and the Maldon players grew even worse after the yellow card. Johnathon Wilkes kicked well hit freekick during the 7th minute of the match. Danny Bland fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Charlie Hird having to interfere. In the 15th match minute, Fakenham was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eric Sullivan to maneuver through the defense. Vinnie Cardwell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Charlie Hird having to interfere. Vinnie Cardwell struck a weak shot in the 23rd minute. Charlie Hird didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Maldon. 31 minutes into the match, Fakenham's goal looked a bit too open when Danny Bland came free, but Charlie Hird reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Fakenham booed when Maldon was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sammy Osbourn didn't get a good kick on the ball. 39 minutes into the match, Fakenham's goal looked a bit too open when Danny Bland came free, but Charlie Hird reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Maldon's Duncan Haigh proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 41st minute of the match, managed to save Maldon from getting a goal against them. A collision led to Maldon getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Ian Woodcock hit a great ball. The score stood at 0-0 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Brian Ridsdale stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. If Vinnie Cardwell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alexander Downing fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Haigh having to interfere. If Alexander Downing had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Brian Ridsdale had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alexander Downing fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duncan Haigh having to interfere. Alexander Downing took the ball and in the 71 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Duncan Haigh. Duncan Haigh dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. When Alexander Downing came up free with the goalie in the 78th minute, the Fakenham 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 Alexander Downing couldn't finish the play. In the 82nd minute, Hugh Hollingsworth hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Danny Bland came up free with the goalie in the 85th minute, the Maldon 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 Danny Bland couldn't finish the play. Duncan Haigh showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Brian Ridsdale, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. After a defensive mix-up in Fakenham's zone, Vinnie Cardwell stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Charlie Hird came out of the goal and Vinnie Cardwell tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Fakenham fans cheered their team off the field, for while Maldon had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.