League

Leigh
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Leigh's Dennis Baker started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Dennis Baker did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-0 to the left of a surprised Robin Laycock 6 minutes into the match. Jim Perkins took the ball and in the 8 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Trevor Featherstone. Trevor Featherstone dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Dennis Baker fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Robin Laycock having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Andy Bailey in the 15th minute of play forced Herne Bay FC's goalkeeper Robin Laycock to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Victor Oates blasted a shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Robin Laycock having to make a save. Rich Renwick scored 1-2 in the 19th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Trevor Featherstone, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After some fancy dribbling in the 23rd minute, Dennis Baker managed to get in a good position for a shot. Leigh's supporters rose to their feet, but Dennis Baker was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Robin Laycock breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Ronnie Endean might have been able to make a better finish in the 24th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Robin Laycock. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Ronnie Endean ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 26th minute, Victor Oates 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Dennis Baker in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Robin Laycock saved Herne Bay FC from getting behind. In the 30th minute, Brad Deaconsfield made a precise shot to the right of Robin Laycock. Herne Bay FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-2. 33 minutes into the game, Ian Haines cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-3. Trevor Featherstone was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dennis Baker in the 37th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Robin Laycock prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The supporters of Leigh booed when Herne Bay FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sam Askew didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 40th minute, Victor Oates ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Robin Laycock was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-3. Robin Laycock took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andy Bailey, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After having played for 44 minutes, Barry Dobson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Leigh's supporters crossed their fingers, but Barry Dobson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 46 minutes into the match, Leigh's Ronnie Endean sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Robin Laycock narrowly saved just below the crossbar.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ian Haines to strike the kick off in the second half. Barry Dobson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Robin Laycock made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronnie Endean in the 53rd minute of play. Loyd Langsford blasted a shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Robin Laycock having to make a save. Harry Devine's late challenge caught a Leigh's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Harry Devine helped the player get up and apologised. In the 57th match minute, Herne Bay FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Harry Devine to maneuver through the defense. Robin Laycock stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Dennis Baker's shot from short distance in the 59th minute. The supporters of Herne Bay FC booed when Leigh was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ronnie Endean didn't get a good kick on the ball. Leigh's Brad Deaconsfield got a good chance for a goal in the 62nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Dennis Baker struck a weak shot in the 65th 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 Leigh. Ronnie Endean took the ball and in the 67 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Robin Laycock. Robin Laycock dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 4-3. 71 minutes into the match, Leigh's Ronnie Endean sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Robin Laycock narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Leigh's Ronnie Endean got a good chance for a goal in the 73rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The supporters of Leigh booed when Herne Bay FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Harry Devine didn't get a good kick on the ball. Victor Oates recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 77th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Barry Dobson charged in rather forcefully in the 78th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Barry Dobson the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 78th match minute, Leigh was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Barry Dobson to maneuver through the defense. Barry Dobson might have been able to make a better finish in the 80th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Robin Laycock. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Barry Dobson ran back to his position shaking his head. Leigh's Dennis Baker got a good chance for a goal in the 82nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Leigh's Dennis Baker got a good chance for a goal in the 84th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dennis Baker in the 87th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Robin Laycock prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Robin Laycock came out of the goal in the 88th minute to try and stop a shot by Leigh's Ronnie Endean. But to his dismay, Ronnie Endean quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 5-3. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dennis Baker in the 94th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Robin Laycock prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When the referee ended the match the Leigh players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.