League

Archway Park
Spectators: 7449 (Terracing: 5679, Seating: 1740, VIP seats: 30) Worcester Park's Jim Goodfellow 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. Jay Meadowcroft sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jay Meadowcroft struck a weak shot in the 9th minute. Vinnie Cole didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Archway. With 12 minutes on the clock, Gregory Barron commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. In the 11th minute, one of Worcester Park:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Worcester Park. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Lennie Hammett in the 20th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dominic Sheridan saved Archway from getting behind. In the 23rd minute Miles Chilton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dominic Sheridan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Lennie Hammett recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With his leg Vinnie Cole managed to avoid a goal in the 26thth minute, when Archway's Jay Meadowcroft fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Through an outstanding action, after 28 minutes, Vinnie Cole successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. If Miles Chilton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Lennie Hammett sent away a hard shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Dominic Sheridan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lennie Hammett in the 34th minute of play. 36 minutes into the match, Archway's goal looked a bit too open when Lennie Hammett came free, but Dominic Sheridan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Joey Spencer 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. After a defensive mix-up in Archway's zone, Miles Chilton stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dominic Sheridan came out of the goal and Miles Chilton tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lennie Hammett in the 41st minute of play forced Archway's goalkeeper Dominic Sheridan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dominic Sheridan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Miles Chilton, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Joey Spencer was the one to do the kick off. After 52 minutes, Vance Eldridge mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Worcester Park and the Archway players grew even worse after the yellow card. Vance Eldridge hit a great freekick 52 minutes into the match. Lennie Hammett sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Archway's zone, Lennie Hammett stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dominic Sheridan came out of the goal and Lennie Hammett tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 66th minute, Lennie Hammett managed to get in a good position for a shot. Worcester Park's supporters rose to their feet, but Lennie Hammett was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dominic Sheridan breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 68 played minutes Archway got a freekick which was hit by Des Bryden. Casey Brewer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Dominic Sheridan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Lennie Hammett received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Dominic Sheridan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Vinnie Cole showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joey Spencer in the 79th minute of the match. If Miles Chilton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Lennie Hammett who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 87thth minute tested the skills of Dominic Sheridan when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After having played for 88 minutes, Vance Eldridge managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Worcester Park's supporters crossed their fingers, but Vance Eldridge was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Lennie Hammett had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 91st minute Vance Eldridge shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dominic Sheridan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When the referee blew the final whistle, Archway could leave the field as winners, despite Worcester Park having more of the ball for most of the match.