League

AVL
Spectators: 8560 (Terracing: 6345, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 215) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Andy Gardener started the match with the kick off. If Russell McDonald had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Andy Gardener recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 5th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 12th match minute, Otley was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Phil Johnston to maneuver through the defense. After 17 played minutes Otley got a freekick which was hit by Donald Warburton. Wally Howarth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Johnathon Beesley, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Andy Gardener in the 21stth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Jack Warburton, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 31 minutes into the match, Airblue's Russell McDonald sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jack Warburton narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Andy Gardener had several of the Otley's defenders around him in the penalty area when he, after 38 minutes of play, received a pass and succeeded in some way to shoot a shot which went straight ahead into goal. This resulted in a 1-0 score and a disappointed Jack Warburton as he didn't even see the shot coming. Russell McDonald received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Jack Warburton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Johnathon Beesley to make the kick off. The referee gave Airblue a penalty, 53 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Alan Swanson, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Otley's Jack Warburton. 2-0. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Russell McDonald in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jack Warburton saved Otley from getting behind. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Brynn Delamore during the 58th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 61 minutes into the game, Phil Johnston cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Wally Howarth was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Donald Warburton was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 64th minute. Otley's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Wally Howarth was out of position in the 66 minute of play, and Phil Johnston capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Phil Johnston really showed his touch with that goal: 2-2. In the 72nd minute, Nathan Bayne hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Andy Gardener in the 75th minute of play forced Otley's goalkeeper Jack Warburton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 79 minutes into the match, Andy Gardener had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jack Warburton. Otley's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Andy Gardener was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-2. Jack Warburton showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Russell McDonald in the 82nd minute of the match. 84 minutes into the match, Otley's Gregory Dawson broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Andy Gardener in the 86th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jack Warburton prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Jack Warburton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andy Gardener, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Brynn Delamore kicked well hit freekick during the 94th minute of the match. Phil Johnston fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wally Howarth having to interfere. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Airblue had won after a very even match.