League

Budleigh Salterton
Spectators: 8456 (Terracing: 6343, Seating: 1944, VIP seats: 169) Shepshed's Tristan Sharpe 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. Budleigh Salterton's Alan Simms played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jack North in the 9th minute of play. When the match clock showed 12 minutes, the score became 0-1 when Tristan Sharpe sped through Budleigh Salterton's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Alan Simms. The nice shot from Roger Hayes in the 20thth minute just in front of the goal should have ended in point on the board, but Tony Beresford had a great feel for the game and superbly saved the ball from getting in by the left post. A collision led to Budleigh Salterton getting a freekick after 21 minutes play. Chris Davenport hit a great ball. The supporters of Budleigh Salterton booed when Shepshed was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Terry Connell didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 24 minutes, Rod Brighton mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Budleigh Salterton and the Shepshed players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 25th match minute, Budleigh Salterton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rod Brighton to maneuver through the defense. 29 minutes into the match, Budleigh Salterton's goal looked a bit too open when Tristan Sharpe came free, but Alan Simms reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rod Brighton in the 31st minute of play forced Shepshed's goalkeeper Tony Beresford to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tony Beresford made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sid Welsh in the 32nd minute of play. Tony Beresford showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rod Brighton, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. 45 minutes into the match, Shepshed's Tristan Sharpe sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Alan Simms narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 47th minute Rod Brighton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tony Beresford saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Tony Beresford showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rod Brighton in the 48th minute of the match. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The wind increased when Rod Brighton made the kick off in the second half. After 52 played minutes Shepshed got a freekick which was hit by Jimmy Tompkins. Rod Brighton 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. Alan Simms made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tristan Sharpe in the 68th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jack North in the 71st minute of play forced Budleigh Salterton's goalkeeper Alan Simms to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tristan Sharpe in the 74thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Alan Simms, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Tristan Sharpe's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Alan Simms firmly grabbed it by the left post. A collision led to Budleigh Salterton getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Chris Davenport hit a great ball. After 78 minutes, Chris Davenport mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Budleigh Salterton and the Shepshed players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 78 played minutes Budleigh Salterton got a freekick which was hit by Chris Davenport. Budleigh Salterton's Alan Simms proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 79th minute of the match, managed to save Budleigh Salterton from getting a goal against them. When the match clock showed 81 minutes, the score became 0-3 when Tristan Sharpe sped through Budleigh Salterton's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Alan Simms. The supporters of Shepshed booed when Budleigh Salterton was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Chris Davenport didn't get a good kick on the ball. Budleigh Salterton's Alan Simms proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 90th minute of the match, managed to save Budleigh Salterton from getting a goal against them. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tristan Sharpe got free with Alan Simms in the 93rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Tristan Sharpe 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. Shepshed's Jack North got a good chance for a goal in the 96th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When the final whistle sounded Shepshed left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Budleigh Salterton.