League

ARENA ZORA
Spectators: 7600 (Terracing: 5500, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 100) Warren Renner could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 6th minute of the match, but Guy Dawson made a huge save. The supporters of ZORA booed when Basildon was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paul Mortimer didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lennie Litchfield hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. Samuel Duffield struck a weak shot in the 11th minute. Ivan Garner didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Basildon. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Nick Ellis during the 14th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 14 played minutes ZORA got a freekick which was hit by Nick Ellis. A collision led to ZORA getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Buster Holbrook hit a great ball. Basildon's Guy Dawson proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 20th minute of the match, managed to save Basildon from getting a goal against them. Guy Dawson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Jude Clough in the 21st minute. In the 24th minute, Rufus Couzens 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. Kirk Bentley could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 25th minute of the match, but Guy Dawson made a huge save. After having played for 26 minutes, Rufus Couzens managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. ZORA's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rufus Couzens was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Through an outstanding action, after 28 minutes, Guy Dawson successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Dale Stiles received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Guy Dawson came out and tried to block the shot, but Dale Stiles slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 29th minute. In the last second Guy Dawson throw himself and got hold of the ball when Kirk Bentley in the 34thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. A hard shot 38 in the game by Kirk Bentley from a close distance when the talented Guy Dawson managed to make a qualified save. Basildon's players were relieved. Kirk Bentley could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 40th minute of the match, but Guy Dawson made a huge save. In the 42ndth minute of the game Kirk Bentley who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Basildon's Guy Dawson was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 44th minute of the match, Kirk Bentley got a very nice opportunity to score, but Guy Dawson was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Samuel Duffield to strike the kick off in the second half. Jude Clough struck a weak shot in the 52nd 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 ZORA. Kirk Bentley might have been able to make a better finish in the 56th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Guy Dawson. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Kirk Bentley ran back to his position shaking his head. A collision led to Basildon getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Leo Carter hit a great ball. In the 63rd minute, Leo Carter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Basildon's Guy Dawson played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kirk Bentley in the 80th minute of play. Dale Stiles received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 81st minute. Guy Dawson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Samuel Duffield sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kirk Bentley in the 90th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Guy Dawson prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 91st minute Dale Stiles shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Guy Dawson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Guy Dawson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kirk Bentley in the 94th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Basildon's zone, Warren Renner stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Guy Dawson came out of the goal and Warren Renner tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Warren Renner came up free with the goalie in the 97th minute, the ZORA 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 Warren Renner couldn't finish the play. ZORA walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.