League

Rackenford
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Vinnie Osbourne kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jamal Dawson in the 5th minute of play forced Rackenford AFC's goalkeeper Lenny Beadel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 6th minute, Samuel Duffield left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Basildon fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when Dennis Bourne got free with Guy Dawson in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Samuel Duffield in the 18th minute of play forced Rackenford AFC's goalkeeper Lenny Beadel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 20th minute, Vinnie Osbourne ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Guy Dawson was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Basildon's Samuel Duffield got a good chance for a goal in the 24th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 27 minutes into the game, Basildon's Jamal Dawson nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Lenny Beadel made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. After a rather tough play, Basildon's Lennie Litchfield got a free kick in the 31st minute. Trevor Stockdale took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 34th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Guy Dawson. Basildon's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Dennis Bourne in the 46thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Guy Dawson, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. In the 48th minute of the match, Vinnie Osbourne tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Guy Dawson saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 1-2 lead.

Dennis Bourne struck a weak shot in the 56th minute. Guy Dawson didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rackenford AFC. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Dennis Bourne in the 59th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Guy Dawson saved Basildon from getting behind. If Dennis Bourne had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Vinnie Osbourne struck a weak shot in the 66th minute. Guy Dawson didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rackenford AFC. Guy Dawson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vinnie Osbourne in the 69th minute of play. Guy Dawson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dennis Bourne in the 80th minute of the match. Jamal Dawson could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 85th minute of the match, but Lenny Beadel made a huge save. If Jamal Dawson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Basildon eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.