League

Melksham Stadium
Spectators: 6736 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1736, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ilassen Bouchnak got the match started through his kick off. Otman Zemmam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ramzi Dhahhak made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lakhdar Khaldi in the 6th minute of play. Ramzi Dhahhak showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Otman Zemmam, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Lakhdar Khaldi in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ramzi Dhahhak saved Melksham from getting behind. After a defensive mix-up in Melksham's zone, Otman Zemmam stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ramzi Dhahhak came out of the goal and Otman Zemmam tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jawed Nekkar hit a great freekick 17 minutes into the match. Lakhdar Khaldi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Fouad Belmadi struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Afdal Bachtobji didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Melksham. Afdal Bachtobji was a little too slow when Ilassen Bouchnak got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 23rd minute. The score was now 1-0. Ilassen Bouchnak fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 30th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Afdal Bachtobji having to interfere. Ramzi Dhahhak took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Otman Zemmam, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lakhdar Khaldi recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Melksham's Mouloud Fillali got a free kick in the 39th minute. Otman Zemmam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 43 minutes, Lakhdar Khaldi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Canvey Island's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lakhdar Khaldi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ramzi Dhahhak took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Otman Zemmam, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Lakhdar Khaldi stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 62nd minute, Mouloud Fillali hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 63rd minute, Lakhdar Khaldi 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. Fouad Belmadi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Afdal Bachtobji tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 69 minutes into the match, Otman Zemmam notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Melksham's Ramzi Dhahhak. Ramzi Dhahhak was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ramzi Dhahhak showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lakhdar Khaldi in the 72nd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ilassen Bouchnak in the 74th minute of play forced Canvey Island's goalkeeper Afdal Bachtobji to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mouloud Fillali sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 77 played minutes Canvey Island got a freekick which was hit by Ahmed Reda Zerguelaine. After 78 minutes, Mohamed El Aychi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Canvey Island and the Melksham players grew even worse after the yellow card. 80 minutes into the match, Fayssal Messis notched a goal, 2-2, to the right of Canvey Island's Afdal Bachtobji. Afdal Bachtobji was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Fouad Belmadi fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Afdal Bachtobji having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ilassen Bouchnak in the 88th minute of play forced Canvey Island's goalkeeper Afdal Bachtobji to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fouad Belmadi in the 91st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Afdal Bachtobji saved Canvey Island from getting behind. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.