League

Billy Goat Park
Spectators: 7953 (Terracing: 5966, Seating: 1829, VIP seats: 158) Jeff Lancaster started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Lucas Lonsdale struck a weak shot in the 3rd minute. Robert Brookman didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for The Rifles. Curtis Heslop sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in The Rifles's zone, Jeff Lancaster stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rod Flemming came out of the goal and Jeff Lancaster tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 11th minute Dale Titmuss shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Robert Brookman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 12th match minute, The Rifles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Simon Kempson to maneuver through the defense. Liam Elwick scored 1-1 in the 17th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Robert Brookman, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 23rd match minute, The Rifles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Seb Hall to maneuver through the defense. If Dean McCormick had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rod Flemming made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jeff Lancaster in the 28th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 31st minute, Jeff Lancaster managed to get in a good position for a shot. The Norris Dancers's supporters rose to their feet, but Jeff Lancaster was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rod Flemming breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 33rd minute, Lucas Lonsdale hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 44th minute Dale Titmuss shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Robert Brookman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 45 minutes into the match, Connor Ronson notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of The Norris Dancers's Robert Brookman. Robert Brookman was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Simon Kempson to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 58th play minute Seb Hall came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Robert Brookman. 1-3. After a defensive mix-up in The Rifles's zone, Jeff Lancaster stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rod Flemming came out of the goal and Jeff Lancaster tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 71 minutes, Philip Gobey mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the The Norris Dancers and the The Rifles players grew even worse after the yellow card. When Lucas Lonsdale fell near the penalty area in the 80th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored The Rifles's protests and gave Lucas Lonsdale a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to The Rifles getting a freekick after 80 minutes play. Lucas Lonsdale hit a great ball. After 82 minutes of play The Rifles's Lucas Lonsdale was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. Lucas Lonsdale hit a great freekick 82 minutes into the match. 94 minutes into the game, The Norris Dancers's Dean McCormick nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Rod Flemming made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-4.