League

Northallerton
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Springfield City's Kirk Machin 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. When Northallerton's Kristopher Blackwood in the 6th minute got a chance for a shot 6th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Springfield City's goalie prevented a goal. Springfield City's Matthew Westwood played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kristopher Blackwood in the 9th minute of play. Kristopher Blackwood's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Matthew Westwood read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 17th minute of play. When Kirk Machin came up free with the goalie in the 21st minute, the Springfield City 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 Kirk Machin couldn't finish the play. Springfield City's Lloyd Jewson got a good chance for a goal in the 22nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 26 minutes, Will Wagstaff mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Northallerton and the Springfield City players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 26th minute, Will Wagstaff hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard and well directed shot from Ray Neville led 27 minutes into the game to a goal after the ball had bounced deceptively just in front of the goal. Northallerton's Roy Connell became a little unsure and couldn't grip the ball before it was over the goalline. Thus it was 0-1. Owen Hallam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 33rd minute Kristopher Blackwood shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matthew Westwood saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Springfield City's Matthew Westwood got control of the ball when Will Wagstaff tried to sneak it across the goal line. Rio Purkiss kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. Owen Hallam's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Matthew Westwood read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 40th minute of play. Roy Connell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Simon Needham in the 46th minute of the match. Springfield City's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Kristopher Blackwood 47 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-1. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Kristopher Blackwood made a kick off. Owen Hallam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Kristopher Blackwood struck a weak shot in the 64th minute. Matthew Westwood didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Northallerton. Owen Hallam fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 66th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matthew Westwood having to interfere. 68 minutes into the match, Springfield City's goal looked a bit too open when Kristopher Blackwood came free, but Matthew Westwood reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 70th minute the ball was on its way in behind Springfield City's goalkeeper Matthew Westwood, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. A collision led to Northallerton getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Michael Deveraux hit a great ball. Simon Needham's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Roy Connell read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 75th minute of play. Northallerton's Roy Connell played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Kirk Machin in the 76th minute of play. Kristopher Blackwood received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 78th minute. Matthew Westwood tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 80th match minute, Springfield City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Den Purkiss to maneuver through the defense. Matthew Westwood showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Will Wagstaff, who was totally free with the ball in the 88th minute. After some careless play in the Springfield City defense, Kristopher Blackwood kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Matthew Westwood. The Springfield City fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Matthew Westwood should have stopped the shot. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Owen Hallam in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Matthew Westwood prevented the ball from getting in the gole. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Northallerton fully deserved thier win.