League

Clay Cross
Spectators: 7547 (Terracing: 5662, Seating: 1735, VIP seats: 150) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Lee Seagrave kicked off to start the match. Reg Rocastle received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 4th minute. Trevor Cuss tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 9 minutes, Reg Rocastle managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Formby's supporters crossed their fingers, but Reg Rocastle was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Formby's Lee Seagrave managed to work through FC Running Riots's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Lee Seagrave dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in. Geoff Mallon's late challenge caught a Formby's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Geoff Mallon helped the player get up and apologised. In the 16th minute, one of FC Running Riots: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 FC Running Riots. Trevor Cuss showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lee Seagrave, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. After a defensive mix-up in FC Running Riots's zone, Reg Rocastle stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Trevor Cuss came out of the goal and Reg Rocastle tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Formby's Lee Seagrave in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye FC Running Riots's goalie prevented a goal. The audience was convinced that Lee Seagrave's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Trevor Cuss was relentless in the 28th minute of the game. Trevor Cuss showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Reg Rocastle, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. Lee Seagrave struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Trevor Cuss didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Formby. Niall Marenghi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ian Birchall, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. Reg Rocastle might have been able to make a better finish in the 47th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Trevor Cuss. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Reg Rocastle ran back to his position shaking his head. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

53 minutes into the game, Jacob Goodall was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC Running Riots's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Formby the free kick. Formby's Lee Seagrave was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 67th play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. An unexpected shot in the 71st minute by Lee Seagrave got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. In the 73rd minute, Reg Rocastle 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. When Joseph Soussan fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FC Running Riots's protests and gave Joseph Soussan a yellow card for diving instead. After a defensive mix-up in FC Running Riots's zone, Reg Rocastle stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Trevor Cuss came out of the goal and Reg Rocastle tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. If Reg Rocastle had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. FC Running Riots's Trevor Cuss played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jake Fletcher in the 90th minute of play. 91 minutes into the match, Lee Seagrave dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Trevor Cuss, 0-3. Formby's Reg Rocastle got a good chance for a goal in the 97th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Formby played a much better game than FC Running Riots and deserved their victory. The FC Running Riots players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.