League

Herne Bay Stadium
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Vinnie Cardwell started the match with the kick off. If Danny Bland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vinnie Cardwell in the 6th minute of play forced Herne Bay FC's goalkeeper Robin Laycock to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Robin Laycock showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vinnie Cardwell, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Danny Bland fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Robin Laycock having to interfere. In the 11th minute, Herne Bay FC's Ian Haines ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Duncan Haigh. Duncan Haigh yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. If Jim Perkins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Danny Bland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 16th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 18 minutes into the game, Maldon's Vinnie Cardwell nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Robin Laycock made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Ian Haines received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Duncan Haigh tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Maldon getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Ian Woodcock hit a great ball. If Danny Bland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 38th minute Vinnie Cardwell shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Robin Laycock saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Herne Bay FC's zone, Danny Bland stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Robin Laycock came out of the goal and Danny Bland tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Maldon's Ivan Pitt suffered a concussion in the 42nd minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. When Rich Renwick fell near the penalty area in the 42nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Herne Bay FC's protests and gave Rich Renwick a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Herne Bay FC getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Rich Renwick hit a great ball. Robin Laycock made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Danny Bland in the 45th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Danny Bland in the 47th minute of play forced Herne Bay FC's goalkeeper Robin Laycock to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ian Haines to make the kick off. Danny Bland struck a weak shot in the 51st minute. Robin Laycock didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Maldon. 55 minutes into the match, Herne Bay FC's goalkeeper Robin Laycock had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Danny Bland. In the 59th match minute, Herne Bay FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rufus Welsh to maneuver through the defense. If Danny Bland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Danny Bland struck a weak shot in the 63rd minute. Robin Laycock didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Maldon. Giles Reed received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Robin Laycock tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ian Woodcock kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. In the 72nd minute, Ian Haines got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After 73 played minutes Maldon got a freekick which was hit by Giles Reed. After a rather tough play, Herne Bay FC's Jim Perkins got a free kick in the 80th minute. In the 82nd minute Jim Perkins shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Duncan Haigh saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rich Renwick might have been able to make a better finish in the 90th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Duncan Haigh. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Rich Renwick ran back to his position shaking his head. Ian Haines might have been able to make a better finish in the 90th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Duncan Haigh. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Ian Haines ran back to his position shaking his head. Ian Woodcock's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Robin Laycock read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 93rd minute of play.