League

AVL
Spectators: 8561 (Terracing: 6345, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 216) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Andy Gardener kicked off to start the match. With a little luck, Shabab Rafah's Silviu Lung got control of the ball when Andy Gardener tried to sneak it across the goal line. Henry Keyworth struck a weak shot in the 7th minute. Silviu Lung didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Airblue. In the 10th minute Christopher Lofthouse shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Wally Howarth saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Wally Howarth showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diogo Resende, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. A collision led to Airblue getting a freekick after 15 minutes play. Andy Gardener hit a great ball. In the 23rd minute Rhys Gibbons shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Wally Howarth saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Andy Gardener recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Wally Howarth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diogo Resende, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Wally Howarth showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wilfredo Quinten, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. Airblue's Wally Howarth played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Damion Croft in the 43rd minute of play.

In the 51st match minute, Shabab Rafah was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Wilfredo Quinten to maneuver through the defense. In the 58th minute, Shabab Rafah's Christopher Lofthouse ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Wally Howarth. Wally Howarth yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-2. Wally Howarth made an important save on a dangerous shot by Diogo Resende in the 62nd minute. Airblue's Wally Howarth proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 65th minute of the match, managed to save Airblue from getting a goal against them. With 67 minutes on the clock, Jaime Bilintx commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. 67 minutes into the game, one of Shabab Rafah:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Silviu Lung had in the 69thth minute some difficulties stopping Alan Swanson's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Damion Croft sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Diogo Resende struck a weak shot in the 76th minute. Wally Howarth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Shabab Rafah. Damion Croft's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Wally Howarth read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 80th minute of play. In the 83rdth minute of the game Damion Croft who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Airblue's Wally Howarth was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Wally Howarth made a fantastic save in the 87th minute, when Diogo Resende sent off a good shot on target. After 88 played minutes Airblue got a freekick which was hit by Stefan Marriott. Wally Howarth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Damion Croft in the 90th minute of play. With his leg Wally Howarth managed to avoid a goal in the 95thth minute, when Shabab Rafah's Rhys Gibbons fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 96th minute, Airblue's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Diogo Resende fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. When the match was over Shabab Rafah could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Airblue throughout the match.