League

Middleton on the Wol
Spectators: 6737 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1737, VIP seats: 0) When Johnny Tompkins came up free with the goalie in the 3rd minute, the Manchester Athletic 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 Johnny Tompkins couldn't finish the play. Johnny Tompkins took the ball and in the 5 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Karl Coyle. Karl Coyle dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. After 8 minutes, Carlton Garner-Currie mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Manchester Athletic and the Niepokonani FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Manchester Athletic getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Carlton Garner-Currie hit a great ball. When Casey Flintoff fell near the penalty area in the 22nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Niepokonani FC's protests and gave Casey Flintoff a yellow card for diving instead. 24 minutes into the game, Johnny Tompkins cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-2. Karl Coyle was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 28 played minutes, Manchester Athletic's Thomas Hampton shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Karl Coyle 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 Manchester Athletic reached it. If CJ Afful had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 36 minutes into the game, Bradley Starr was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Manchester Athletic's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Niepokonani FC the free kick. A collision led to Manchester Athletic getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Bradley Starr hit a great ball. CJ Afful fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Andre Baldwin having to interfere. After the first half Manchester Athletic were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell CJ Afful to make the kick off. Sly Thornton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 57 minutes, Denis Smart managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Niepokonani FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Denis Smart was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Karl Coyle took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Johnny Tompkins, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling CJ Afful in the 67th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Andre Baldwin prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Andre Baldwin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from CJ Afful in the 69th minute of the match. Andre Baldwin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from CJ Afful, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. Karl Coyle took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Johnny Tompkins, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sly Thornton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 78th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Karl Coyle having to interfere. Cliff Strongman's late challenge caught a Niepokonani FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Cliff Strongman helped the player get up and apologised. In the 88th match minute, Manchester Athletic was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cliff Strongman to maneuver through the defense. Denis Smart recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If CJ Afful had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Manchester Athletic's zone, Denis Smart stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Andre Baldwin came out of the goal and Denis Smart tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Johnny Tompkins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Johnny Tompkins in the 98th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Karl Coyle prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The Manchester Athletic supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Manchester Athletic would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.