League

Hurst Rec Stadium
Spectators: 8535 (Terracing: 6402, Seating: 1963, VIP seats: 170) In the 10th minute Dean Ashton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martyn Tandy saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Martyn Tandy was a little too slow when Dean Ashton got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 12th minute. The score was now 1-1. John-Paul Whittingham struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. Martyn Tandy didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merton Albion FC. After some careless play in the Ashley Down Athletic defense, Slawomir Cieliczka kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Martyn Tandy. The Ashley Down Athletic fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Martyn Tandy should have stopped the shot. If Dean Ashton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. With a little luck, Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy got control of the ball when Dean Ashton tried to sneak it across the goal line. With a little luck, Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy got control of the ball when Dean Ashton tried to sneak it across the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthew Macken in the 26th minute of play forced Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper Laurence Barraclough to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Martyn Tandy showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from John-Paul Whittingham, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Martyn Tandy showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from John-Paul Whittingham, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. John-Paul Whittingham blasted a shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Martyn Tandy having to make a save. Laurence Barraclough stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Matthew Macken's shot from short distance in the 33rd minute. After some careless play in the Merton Albion FC defense, Matthew Macken kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Laurence Barraclough. The Merton Albion FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Laurence Barraclough should have stopped the shot. Laurence Barraclough showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ed Helks, who was totally free with the ball in the 40th minute. In the 43rdth minute of the game Ed Helks who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Matthew Macken took the ball and in the 46 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Laurence Barraclough. Laurence Barraclough dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-3. The Merton Albion FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ashley Down Athletic were winning 2-3.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Steven Grigg made a kick off. The corner ended in John-Paul Whittingham almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy did a great save. After 55 played minutes Merton Albion FC got a freekick which was hit by Rod Constantine. In the 60th minute Ed Helks shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laurence Barraclough saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Merton Albion FC's Olly Connell got a free kick in the 61st minute. Laurence Barraclough made an important save on a dangerous shot by Steven Grigg in the 62nd minute. Steven Grigg received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Laurence Barraclough came out and tried to block the shot, but Steven Grigg slotted it home off the left post making it 2-4 in the 62nd minute. Martyn Tandy came out of the goal in the 67th minute to try and stop a shot by Merton Albion FC's John-Paul Whittingham. But to his dismay, John-Paul Whittingham quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-4. Martyn Tandy took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dean Ashton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough got control of the ball when Steven Grigg tried to sneak it across the goal line. 80 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Ed Helks came free, but Laurence Barraclough reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ed Helks in the 82nd minute of play forced Merton Albion FC's goalkeeper Laurence Barraclough to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Laurence Barraclough showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ed Helks in the 86th minute of the match. Simon Bean hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Merton Albion FC's Laurence Barraclough proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 87th minute of the match, managed to save Merton Albion FC from getting a goal against them. Martyn Tandy took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from John-Paul Whittingham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dean Ashton in the 96th minute of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Ashley Down Athletic eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.