League

Cottered
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Paul Wardill took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Liam Ridsdale in the 3rd minute of play forced Cottered's goalkeeper Carl Blakewell to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Julian Beverley took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 4th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Carl Blakewell. Cottered's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. In the 5th minute Phillip Ellison shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carl Blakewell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Carl Blakewell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Liam Ridsdale in the 9th minute of play. Paul Wardill received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Drew Beardsley tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Damian Shields who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 13thth minute tested the skills of Drew Beardsley when he managed to save the team from getting behind. A collision led to Cottered getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Terry Krief hit a great ball. Liam Ridsdale struck a weak shot in the 18th minute. Carl Blakewell didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Houghton Regis City. Everyone was convinced a goal was close when Cottered's Paul Wardill in the 19th minute lifted the ball towards the upper right corner, but Drew Beardsley was perfectly placed and prevented a goal for Houghton Regis City through an amazing save. 24 minutes into the match, Paul Wardill notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Houghton Regis City's Drew Beardsley. Drew Beardsley was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After a defensive mix-up in Houghton Regis City's zone, Damian Shields stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Drew Beardsley came out of the goal and Damian Shields tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Cottered's Felix Stonehouse suffered a fractured collar bone after 36 minutes and couldn't finish the game. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Guy Nelson during the 36th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Guy Nelson kicked well hit freekick during the 36th minute of the match. In the 37th minute of the match, Damian Shields got a very nice opportunity to score, but Drew Beardsley was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Carl Blakewell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Liam Ridsdale in the 44th minute of play. Paul Wardill fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Drew Beardsley having to interfere. A collision led to Houghton Regis City getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Guy Nelson hit a great ball. 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 1-0.

The supporters of Houghton Regis City booed when Cottered was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Chip Millman didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 56th minute, Damian Shields managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cottered's supporters rose to their feet, but Damian Shields was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Drew Beardsley breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Liam Ridsdale received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Carl Blakewell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Houghton Regis City's zone, Damian Shields stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Drew Beardsley came out of the goal and Damian Shields tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, Houghton Regis City's CJ Dove got a free kick in the 61st minute. In the 62nd minute, Damian Shields made a precise shot to the right of Drew Beardsley. Houghton Regis City's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. Liam Ridsdale hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. In the 67th match minute, Houghton Regis City was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Guy Nelson to maneuver through the defense. In the 71st minute of the match, Phillip Ellison got a very nice opportunity to score, but Carl Blakewell was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. After some fancy dribbling in the 73rd minute, Damian Shields managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cottered's supporters rose to their feet, but Damian Shields was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Drew Beardsley breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Damian Shields in the 76th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Drew Beardsley prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After some fancy dribbling in the 79th minute, Liam Ridsdale managed to get in a good position for a shot. Houghton Regis City's supporters rose to their feet, but Liam Ridsdale was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Carl Blakewell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The Cottered fans' excitement grew in the 82nd match minute when Cottered's Damian Shields looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 3-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Carl Blakewell took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Liam Ridsdale, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Damian Shields sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Carl Blakewell stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Liam Ridsdale's shot from short distance in the 92nd minute. In the 93rd minute Liam Ridsdale shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carl Blakewell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Damian Shields blasted a shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Drew Beardsley having to make a save. When Greg Fielden fell near the penalty area in the 96th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Houghton Regis City's protests and gave Greg Fielden a yellow card for diving instead. After 96 played minutes Houghton Regis City got a freekick which was hit by Greg Fielden. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Cottered had won after a very even match.