League

Heybridge Basin Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Sammy Leatherdale made the kick off which started today's match. 7 minutes into the game, Martyn Blair was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Darlington United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Heybridge Basin United the free kick. The supporters of Heybridge Basin United booed when Darlington United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 7 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martyn Blair didn't get a good kick on the ball. Freddie Houghton struck a weak shot in the 10th minute. Charlie Phelps didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Heybridge Basin United. The audience thought a goal was coming when Dale Peakman got free with Charlie Phelps in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. When Dale Peakman came up free with the goalie in the 23rd minute, the Heybridge Basin United 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 Dale Peakman couldn't finish the play. Freddie Houghton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Charlie Phelps tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Les Barker's late challenge caught a Heybridge Basin United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Les Barker helped the player get up and apologised. 29 minutes into the match, Darlington United's goalkeeper Charlie Phelps had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dale Peakman. Simon Haigh stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Olly Trueman's shot from short distance in the 31st minute. Sammy Leatherdale kicked well hit freekick during the 33rd minute of the match. In the 36th minute, Freddie Houghton fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Charlie Phelps, passed just outside the right post. If Sammy Leatherdale had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 41 minutes, Sammy Leatherdale managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Darlington United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Sammy Leatherdale was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 43 minutes into the match, Heybridge Basin United's Freddie Houghton sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Charlie Phelps narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Shawn Griffin during the 47th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Darlington United booed when Heybridge Basin United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 47 match minutes in a wonderful position. Shawn Griffin didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 49th minute, Olly Trueman 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. 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.

Olly Trueman fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Simon Haigh having to interfere. Olly Trueman took the ball and in the 56 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Simon Haigh. Simon Haigh dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Charlie Phelps came out of the goal in the 62nd minute to try and stop a shot by Heybridge Basin United's Freddie Houghton. But to his dismay, Freddie Houghton quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. If Olly Trueman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 66th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Olly Trueman could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 70th minute of the match, but Simon Haigh made a huge save. Dale Peakman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Charlie Phelps tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Freddie Houghton's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Charlie Phelps was relentless in the 73rd minute of the game. In the 75th minute of the game, Phillip Allanson landed unfortunately after trying to head the ball, and pulled a muscle in the back, so badly that he had to leave the field. Shaun Addison's late challenge caught a Heybridge Basin United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Shaun Addison helped the player get up and apologised. In the 77th minute of the match Shawn Griffin shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Charlie Phelps showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Olly Trueman recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Darlington United's Sammy Leatherdale got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 80 minutes of play, Darlington United's Olly Trueman made it 1-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Simon Haigh was left in no man's land by his defense there! Sammy Leatherdale fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Simon Haigh having to interfere. The Darlington United players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.