League

Petts Wood
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Jake Spink started the match with the kick off. In the 10th minute Bradley Haskell shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sidney Smith saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nathan Winter sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Martyn Shilton was a little too slow when Jake Spink got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 13th minute. The score was now 1-0. 16 minutes into the game, Louis Sercombe lined in a short shot 2-0 behind a frustrated Martyn Shilton. 20 minutes into the match, Petts Wood United's Louis Sercombe sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Martyn Shilton narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Martyn Shilton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jake Spink, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Louis Sercombe struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Martyn Shilton didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Petts Wood United. After a rather tough play, Whitchurch's Tod Yeo got a free kick in the 29th minute. In the 32nd minute Jake Spink shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martyn Shilton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Pedro Sissons's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Martyn Shilton read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 34th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Whitchurch's zone, Louis Sercombe stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Martyn Shilton came out of the goal and Louis Sercombe tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The long shot by Lennie Beaver in the 47th minute really tested Martyn Shilton's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Pedro Sissons in the 48th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Martyn Shilton saved Whitchurch from getting behind. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

Leon Knowles's late challenge caught a Petts Wood United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Leon Knowles helped the player get up and apologised. 72 minutes into the match, Louis Sercombe had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Martyn Shilton. Whitchurch's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Louis Sercombe was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. Martyn Shilton came out of the goal in the 76th minute to try and stop a shot by Petts Wood United's Louis Sercombe. But to his dismay, Louis Sercombe quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 4-0. A collision led to Petts Wood United getting a freekick after 80 minutes play. Kev Prutton hit a great ball. 81 minutes into the match, Dylon Haugue sent off a long shot that looked like it was going straight into the goal, but because Sidney Smith threw himself in his full length he managed to grip the ball by the left post, and there was no goal for Dylon Haugue this time. In the 85th minute, Jake Spink left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Petts Wood United fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 5-0. Anthony Duffy struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Martyn Shilton didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Petts Wood United. In the 95th minute, Louis Sercombe got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jay Houghton during the 96th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Whitchurch getting a freekick after 96 minutes play. Jay Houghton hit a great ball. Petts Wood United's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.