League

Marakana
Spectators: 7506 (Terracing: 5630, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 150) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Bart Helks took the kick off in the first half of the match. When Bill Gerrard came up free with the goalie in the 6th minute, the Thornham 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 Bill Gerrard couldn't finish the play. If Bart Helks had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Louie Maclean could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 11th minute of the match, but Malcolm Hudson made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rupert Hornsby in the 19th minute of play forced Thornham's goalkeeper Malcolm Hudson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Billy Turk could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Malcolm Hudson made a huge save. 32 minutes into the match, Thornham's goalkeeper Malcolm Hudson had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Karl Greenman. Neil Barber recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Bart Helks came up free with the goalie in the 38th minute, the Thornham 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 Bart Helks couldn't finish the play. After a rather tough play, Thornham's Benji Alsop got a free kick in the 41st minute. Malcolm Hudson showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Billy Turk, who was totally free with the ball in the 44th minute. When Thornham's Bart Helks in the 48th minute got a chance for a shot 48th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Watford's goalie prevented a goal. 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.

Bart Helks could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 53rd minute of the match, but Fraser Haugue made a huge save. In the 54th minute, Thornham's Jason Burrows ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Fraser Haugue. Fraser Haugue yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Bart Helks in the 59th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fraser Haugue prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Fraser Haugue took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bill Gerrard, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience was convinced that Bart Helks's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fraser Haugue was relentless in the 65th minute of the game. Billy Turk fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 68th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Malcolm Hudson having to interfere. 70 minutes into the game, Bart Helks lined in a short shot 1-2 behind a frustrated Fraser Haugue. After having played for 74 minutes, Bart Helks managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Thornham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Bart Helks was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Malcolm Hudson made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Billy Turk in the 77th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Billy Turk in the 80th minute of play forced Thornham's goalkeeper Malcolm Hudson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bill Gerrard in the 81st minute of play forced Watford's goalkeeper Fraser Haugue to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 82 minutes, Rupert Hornsby mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Watford and the Thornham players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 82 played minutes Watford got a freekick which was hit by Rupert Hornsby. After having played for 84 minutes, Bill Gerrard managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Thornham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Bill Gerrard was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Thornham booed when Watford was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Louie Maclean didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bart Helks 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. In the 91st minute, Bill Gerrard 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. Bart Helks in the 96thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Fraser Haugue, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Thornham's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.