League

Shireoaks
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Pierre Medley made the kick off which started today's match. Pierre Medley received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Ralf Oakes came out and tried to block the shot, but Pierre Medley slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 4th minute. Rushden FC's Ralf Oakes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pierre Medley in the 8th minute of play. If Keanu Howarth had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Damian Price showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Garry Clough in the 14th minute of the match. The supporters of Rushden FC booed when Shireoaks FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ricky Branson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ralf Oakes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pierre Medley in the 21st minute of play. Ralf Oakes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pierre Medley, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. When Rushden FC's Garry Clough in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Shireoaks FC's goalie prevented a goal. Pierre Medley received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 27th minute. Ralf Oakes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 28 played minutes Rushden FC got a freekick which was hit by Norman Clarkson. 29 minutes into the match, Rushden FC's goalkeeper Ralf Oakes had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Vern Thornton. Garry Clough struck a weak shot in the 32nd minute. Damian Price didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rushden FC. After some careless play in the Shireoaks FC defense, Keanu Howarth kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Damian Price. The Shireoaks FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Damian Price should have stopped the shot. Keanu Howarth fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Damian Price having to interfere. Damian Price showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Garry Clough in the 40th minute of the match. If Garry Clough had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 47th minute, Garry Clough 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. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The crowd rose to their feet as Garry Clough kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Damian Price. That made the score 1-2 in the 53 minute of play. Vern Thornton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 60th minute, Pierre Medley 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 64 played minutes Rushden FC got a freekick which was hit by Johnnie Bishop. Darius Bromley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 69 minutes into the match, Shireoaks FC's Vern Thornton sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Ralf Oakes narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Vern Thornton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Vern Thornton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ralf Oakes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pierre Medley, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 77th minute, Keanu Howarth managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rushden FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Keanu Howarth was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Damian Price breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of Rushden FC booed when Shireoaks FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Darius Bromley didn't get a good kick on the ball. Rushden FC's Garry Clough got a good chance for a goal in the 84th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Pierre Medley managed to get in a good position for a shot. Shireoaks FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Pierre Medley was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ralf Oakes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. A collision led to Shireoaks FC getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Albert Ward hit a great ball. In the 96th minute Pierre Medley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ralf Oakes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rushden FC's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.