League

Stratton
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Barney Mason made the kick off which started today's match. If Peter Hewitt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Gavin Waltham scored 0-1 in the 5th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Tosh Swain, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 8 minutes into the match, Kenny Bayford notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Stratton City's Tosh Swain. Tosh Swain was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 10th minute, Barney Mason made a precise shot to the right of Tosh Swain. Stratton City's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-3. After 13 played minutes Brinklow United got a freekick which was hit by Rhys Cummings. The audience thought a goal was coming when Peter Hewitt got free with Drew Pointon in the 19th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Kenny Bayford in the 21st minute of play forced Stratton City's goalkeeper Tosh Swain to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gerry Allwright kicked well hit freekick during the 22nd minute of the match. In the 30th match minute, Stratton City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ronan Furlong to maneuver through the defense. 31 minutes into the game, Brinklow United's Barney Mason nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Tosh Swain made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-4. Tosh Swain took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andre Falkingham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 36 played minutes Stratton City got a freekick which was hit by Simeon Rowland. Brynn Kennedy hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. If Gez Hughes-Guy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 48th minute Barney Mason shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tosh Swain saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Disappointed in the 0-4 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

After 52 minutes, Marc Ramsden mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Stratton City and the Brinklow United players grew even worse after the yellow card. Marc Ramsden kicked well hit freekick during the 52nd minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 54 minutes, Kenny Bayford took a quick shot and it went in 0-5 without a chance for Tosh Swain to make any attempt to save it. In the 57th minute, Brynn Kennedy hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Stratton City's Tosh Swain proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 59th minute of the match, managed to save Stratton City from getting a goal against them. 60 minutes into the game, Fred Sutton was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Stratton City's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Brinklow United the free kick. A collision led to Brinklow United getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Gerry Allwright hit a great ball. After 70 played minutes, Stratton City's Simeon Rowland shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Drew Pointon came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Stratton City reached it. In the 76th minute Kenny Bayford shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tosh Swain saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gavin Waltham scored 0-7 in the 80th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Tosh Swain, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. John Paul Holmes hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Kenny Bayford was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 95th minute. Brinklow United's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Brynn Kennedy lost his temper 96 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. The supporters of Brinklow United booed when Stratton City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 97 match minutes in a wonderful position. Brynn Kennedy didn't get a good kick on the ball. Brinklow United played a much better game than Stratton City and deserved their victory. The Stratton City players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.