League

Maldon Stadium
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) ZORA's Kirk Bentley 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. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kirk Bentley in the 4th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Duncan Haigh prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 5th minute, Jude Clough left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The ZORA fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Duncan Haigh showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dale Stiles in the 8th minute of the match. When Dale Stiles came up free with the goalie in the 10th 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 Dale Stiles couldn't finish the play. 12 minutes into the match, Maldon's goal looked a bit too open when Kirk Bentley came free, but Duncan Haigh reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Maldon getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. Ivan Pitt hit a great ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kirk Bentley in the 16th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Duncan Haigh prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience was convinced that Kirk Bentley's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Duncan Haigh was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. 19 minutes into the match, Maldon's goal looked a bit too open when Jude Clough came free, but Duncan Haigh reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With an all-out effort, Maldon's Ivan Garner threw himself towards the right post 22 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Ivan Pitt, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. In the 22nd match minute, Maldon was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Danny Bland to maneuver through the defense. After 26 minutes, Kirk Bentley made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Maldon's Duncan Haigh tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Danny Bland could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 30th minute of the match, but Ivan Garner made a huge save. In the 33rd minute Warren Renner 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. Duncan Haigh showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kirk Bentley in the 35th minute of the match. The supporters of Maldon booed when ZORA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wayne Sherwood didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the match had gone on for 43 minutes, Ivan Pitt took a quick shot and it went in 1-2 without a chance for Ivan Garner to make any attempt to save it. The Maldon players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. ZORA were winning 1-2.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Vinnie Cardwell to strike the kick off in the second half. Danny Bland fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ivan Garner having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kirk Bentley in the 61st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Duncan Haigh prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Ivan Pitt fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Maldon's protests and gave Ivan Pitt a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Maldon's Ivan Pitt got a free kick in the 62nd minute. Kirk Bentley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vinnie Cardwell struck a weak shot in the 65th 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 Maldon. Rufus Couzens's late challenge caught a Maldon's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rufus Couzens helped the player get up and apologised. After 66 played minutes ZORA got a freekick which was hit by Rufus Couzens. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kirk Bentley in the 68th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Duncan Haigh prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Kirk Bentley in the 70thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Duncan Haigh, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Thanks to some nice moves Jude Clough could shoot a difficult shot in the 77th minute, which Duncan Haigh however easily saved by the left post. With his leg Duncan Haigh managed to avoid a goal in the 85thth minute, when ZORA's Kirk Bentley fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The audience was convinced that Kirk Bentley's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Duncan Haigh was relentless in the 88th minute of the game. Duncan Haigh showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kirk Bentley in the 91st minute of the match. Vinnie Cardwell took the ball and in the 92 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ivan Garner. Ivan Garner dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-3. Dale Stiles sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. ZORA's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.