League

Hastings
Spectators: 7972 (Terracing: 5980, Seating: 1834, VIP seats: 158) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Nat Porter took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 8th minute the ball was on its way in behind Laindon FC's goalkeeper Kurt Miles, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 9 minutes Laindon FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Chaz Linkletter who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Beckford's corner Chaz Linkletter fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Kurt Miles quite easily take care of the ball. When Gez Heslop fell near the penalty area in the 10th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Laindon FC's protests and gave Gez Heslop a yellow card for diving instead. After 10 played minutes Laindon FC got a freekick which was hit by Gez Heslop. In the 13th minute, Owen Duff left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Beckford fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Kurt Miles took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ashley Hopker, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nat Porter might have been able to make a better finish in the 23rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Kurt Miles. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Nat Porter ran back to his position shaking his head. Beckford's Reuben Reid played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gez Heslop in the 26th minute of play. Kurt Miles showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nat Porter in the 34th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nat Porter in the 35th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kurt Miles prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Ashley Hopker had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Nat Porter had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Chaz Linkletter's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kurt Miles read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 42nd minute of play. Nat Porter sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 46th minute, Bob Brennan fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When Nat Porter came up free with the goalie in the 51st minute, the Beckford 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 Nat Porter couldn't finish the play. Nat Porter's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kurt Miles read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 53rd minute of play. After 54 played minutes Laindon FC got a freekick which was hit by Joel Sheringham. After having played for 56 minutes, Ashley Hopker managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Beckford's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ashley Hopker was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ashley Hopker sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The throw-in from Kyle East in the 64th minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Beckford's Joshua Perryman. In the 65th minute Nat Porter shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kurt Miles saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of Beckford booed when Laindon FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bob Brennan didn't get a good kick on the ball. Nat Porter received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Kurt Miles tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Nat Porters short, quick shot in the 78thth minute got Kurt Miles to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Laindon FC's Kurt Miles proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 79th minute of the match, managed to save Laindon FC from getting a goal against them. Owen Duff's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kurt Miles read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. Nat Porter's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kurt Miles read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 87th minute of play. After having played for 94 minutes, Ashley Hopker managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Beckford's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ashley Hopker was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Beckford's Reuben Reid played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bob Brennan in the 96th minute of play. Beckford played a much better game than Laindon FC and deserved their victory. The Laindon FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.