League

Smallfield
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Tris Gerrard kicked off to start the match. Russ Beckett struck a weak shot in the 7th minute. Jamie Dobson didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Walthamstow. After 11 played minutes Smallfield FC got a freekick which was hit by Thom Deighton. Tris Gerrard received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Jamie Dobson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 15 played minutes Smallfield FC got a freekick which was hit by Adrian Bridgewater. Frankie Elam scored 0-1 in the 16th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Jamie Dobson, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. If Calvin Hardcastle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Louis Ashby in the 22ndth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Huey Barton, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Mark Pilkington hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. In the 25th match minute, Walthamstow was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eric Copsey to maneuver through the defense. The crowd rose to their feet as Smallfield FC's Louis Ashby slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Huey Barton. That made the score 1-1 after 28 minutes of play. After a rather tough play, Walthamstow's Russ Beckett got a free kick in the 33rd minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 35th minute, Louis Ashby managed to get in a good position for a shot. Smallfield FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Louis Ashby was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Huey Barton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eric Copsey during the 39th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Jamie Dobson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tris Gerrard in the 41st minute of the match. Crispin Browning hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Smallfield FC's zone, Frankie Elam stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jamie Dobson came out of the goal and Frankie Elam tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 46th minute, Russ Beckett managed to get in a good position for a shot. Walthamstow's supporters rose to their feet, but Russ Beckett was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jamie Dobson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Jamie Dobson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eric Copsey, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The wind increased when Calvin Hardcastle made the kick off in the second half. Mark Pilkington hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tris Gerrard in the 53rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jamie Dobson prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Liam Barat got free with Jamie Dobson in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. When Calvin Hardcastle came up free with the goalie in the 56th minute, the Smallfield FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Calvin Hardcastle couldn't finish the play. Russ Beckett charged in rather forcefully in the 57th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Russ Beckett the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Billie Morse sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Billie Morse in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Huey Barton prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 63 minutes into the game, Russ Beckett recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Jamie Dobson. Russ Beckett showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-2. 68 minutes into the match, Smallfield FC's goalkeeper Jamie Dobson had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Liam Barat. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Louis Ashby during the 69th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Louis Ashby kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. In the 70th minute of the match Eric Copsey sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jamie Dobson skillfully saved the ball. A collision led to Smallfield FC getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. Adrian Bridgewater hit a great ball. If Tris Gerrard had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Tris Gerrard came up free with the goalie in the 78th minute, the Walthamstow fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Tris Gerrard couldn't finish the play. After 82 played minutes Tris Gerrard rounded Smallfield FC's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-3. In the 85thth minute of the game Calvin Hardcastle who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Walthamstow's Huey Barton was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Russ Beckett was shown his second yellow card after 86 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 88th minute Billie Morse shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Huey Barton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 92ndth minute of the game Calvin Hardcastle who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Walthamstow's Huey Barton was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Billie Morse in the 93rd minute of play forced Walthamstow's goalkeeper Huey Barton to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Calvin Hardcastle's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Huey Barton was relentless in the 95th minute of the game. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Walthamstow walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.