League

Padiham Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Chris Middleton started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Chris Middleton's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Len Housham read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 3rd minute of play. Chris Middleton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 4th minute. Len Housham tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Oscar Wiseman's late challenge caught a Padiham's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Oscar Wiseman helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Padiham booed when Rats was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Oscar Wiseman didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Marty Woodward had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Eric Whieldon showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alan Ellison, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. Chris Middleton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Len Housham having to interfere. If Robbie Trotter had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Robbie Trotter recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The supporters of Rats booed when Padiham was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alan Ellison didn't get a good kick on the ball. Padiham's Marty Woodward got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Len Housham showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Chris Middleton, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. Chris Middleton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Len Housham tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Chris Middleton 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. Alan Ellison fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eric Whieldon having to interfere. Eric Whieldon took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alan Ellison, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Alan Ellison to make the kick off. Jonny Merrill sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Robbie Trotter had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 60 minutes into the match, Padiham's goalkeeper Len Housham had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Robbie Trotter. In the 65th match minute, Rats was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Denzil Sledge to maneuver through the defense. Marty Woodward recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 67th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 69 minutes, Marty Woodward managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Padiham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marty Woodward was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 71 minutes into the match, Padiham's Marty Woodward sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Eric Whieldon narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Oscar Wiseman hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. Marty Woodward received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Eric Whieldon tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 82nd minute Marty Woodward shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Eric Whieldon saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 85 minutes into the match, Padiham's goalkeeper Len Housham had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Robbie Trotter. If Chris Middleton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jonny Merrill kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. Chris Middleton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 96th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Len Housham having to interfere. Rats's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.