League

Harleston
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) FreshFord FC's Damon Walton started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 3rd match minute, Harleston FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alistair Meadowcroft to maneuver through the defense. 7 minutes into the game, Harvey Wainwright was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FreshFord FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Harleston FC the free kick. Joel Botham went to the wrong direction when Gerry Burgess was taking care of the penalty kick which however missed the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mick Courtney in the 16th minute of play forced FreshFord FC's goalkeeper Joel Botham to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Damon Walton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. John-Paul Skinner charged in rather forcefully in the 24th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed John-Paul Skinner the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 24 played minutes Harleston FC got a freekick which was hit by John-Paul Skinner. After a defensive mix-up in Harleston FC's zone, Sly Rawson stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jay Hill came out of the goal and Sly Rawson tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Mick Courtney's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Joel Botham read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 31st minute of play. When Dominik Woodford fell near the penalty area in the 31st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FreshFord FC's protests and gave Dominik Woodford a yellow card for diving instead. Joel Botham made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mick Courtney in the 33rd minute of play. Alistair Meadowcroft charged in rather forcefully in the 34th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Alistair Meadowcroft the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Alistair Meadowcroft kicked well hit freekick during the 35th minute of the match. If Sly Rawson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Joel Botham didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 46th minute, which inside left pole to 1-0. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Mick Courtney to make the kick off. Mick Courtney took the ball and in the 61 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Joel Botham. Joel Botham dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. Sly Rawson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 75th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Mick Courtney received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Joel Botham tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mick Courtney fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Joel Botham having to interfere. In the 83rd minute, one of FreshFord FC:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for FreshFord FC. The supporters of Harleston FC booed when FreshFord FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sly Rawson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jay Hill showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Damon Walton in the 96th minute of the match. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Harleston FC had won after a very even match.