League

The Needle Exchange
Spectators: 7513 (Terracing: 5635, Seating: 1728, VIP seats: 150) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rowan Brownlow made the kick off which started today's match. Hugh Wilkins fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mickey Coyle having to interfere. Hugh Wilkins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Fortaleza EC's Mickey Coyle played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rowan Brownlow in the 9th minute of play. In the 11th minute, Tosh Rutherford left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Formby AFC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. When Perry Stonebridge fell near the penalty area in the 14th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Fortaleza EC's protests and gave Perry Stonebridge a yellow card for diving instead. Perry Stonebridge hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. After 19 played minutes Fortaleza EC got a freekick which was hit by Rex Chalmers. After 19 played minutes, Formby AFC's Darryl Hird shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Mickey Coyle 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 Formby AFC reached it. Lance Lomas in the 32ndth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Brian Key, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Kirk Barker kicked well hit freekick during the 34th minute of the match. After recieving a nice pass, Fortaleza EC's Rex Chalmers tried to score from far away in the 35th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. 40 minutes into the match, Fortaleza EC's goal looked a bit too open when Rowan Brownlow came free, but Mickey Coyle reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rowan Brownlow in the 43rd minute of play forced Fortaleza EC's goalkeeper Mickey Coyle to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Brian Key made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Byron Bowler in the 44th minute of play. Rowan Brownlow received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Mickey Coyle tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Rowan Brownlow had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 48th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After the first half Formby AFC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Byron Bowler was the one to do the kick off. Rowan Brownlow sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Brian Key made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Byron Bowler in the 59th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Hugh Wilkins got free with Mickey Coyle in the 64th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Rowan Brownlow struck a weak shot in the 66th minute. Mickey Coyle didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Formby AFC. A collision led to Formby AFC getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Zackary Cox hit a great ball. 73 minutes into the game, Kirk Barker was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Formby AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Fortaleza EC the free kick. Rowan Brownlow blasted a shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Mickey Coyle having to make a save. In the 87th minute, Fortaleza EC's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Hugh Wilkins fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. After 88 minutes of play, Formby AFC's Hugh Wilkins made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Mickey Coyle was left in no man's land by his defense there! With a little luck, Fortaleza EC's Mickey Coyle got control of the ball when Hugh Wilkins tried to sneak it across the goal line. Mickey Coyle took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rowan Brownlow, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Hugh Wilkins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Formby AFC's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.