League

Telford
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Johnnie Howard kicked off to start the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lance Apsden got free with Den Kaye in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Johnnie Howard recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 7th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Lance Apsden in the 9thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Den Kaye, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Johnnie Howard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Den Kaye having to interfere. Johnnie Howard was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 17th minute. Telford's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Helsby's Den Kaye played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Johnnie Howard in the 18th minute of play. The supporters of Telford booed when Helsby was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gez Davis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Johnnie Howard made a great header on Telford's corner, it was just that Helsby's Den Kaye managed to reach the ball for a save. Lance Apsden struck a weak shot in the 31st minute. Den Kaye didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Telford. Lance Apsden fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Den Kaye having to interfere. Den Kaye made a fantastic save in the 41st minute, when Lance Apsden sent off a good shot on target. 2-0 became the score in the 43rd minute when Johnnie Howard elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Helsby's zone, Garry Titmus stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Den Kaye came out of the goal and Garry Titmus tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Bruce Paine to make the kick off. 51 minutes into the match, Lance Apsden notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of Helsby's Den Kaye. Den Kaye was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 56th minute the ball was on its way in behind Helsby's goalkeeper Den Kaye, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 58 played minutes Helsby got a freekick which was hit by Bruce Paine. After 59 played minutes, Telford's Glyn Baxter shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Den Kaye came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Telford reached it. Lance Apsden fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 63rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Den Kaye having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Johnnie Howard in the 64th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Den Kaye prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 78 minutes into the match, Helsby's goal looked a bit too open when Johnnie Howard came free, but Den Kaye reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 79th minute Johnnie Howard shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Den Kaye saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Telford's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.