League

Beeston
Spectators: 7506 (Terracing: 5630, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 150) Bart Knightley started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 3rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Beeston's goalkeeper Ivan Butt, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 4 minutes into the game, Gerry Brighton was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Blackburn Olympic's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Beeston the free kick. The supporters of Beeston booed when Blackburn Olympic was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gerry Brighton didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Beeston's Graham Mortimer got a free kick in the 12th minute. Marc Bodsworth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ron Walters, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 20th minute, Bart Knightley 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. Denis Findley charged in rather forcefully in the 25th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Denis Findley the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Junior Wilkins could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 31st minute of the match, but Marc Bodsworth made a huge save. Sidney Tate was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 35 minutes into the match. 35 minutes into the game, one of Blackburn Olympic:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. In the 47th minute Gerry Brighton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ivan Butt saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ron Walters made a kick off. Tris Almond's late challenge caught a Beeston's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Tris Almond helped the player get up and apologised. After 51 played minutes Blackburn Olympic got a freekick which was hit by Tris Almond. 53 minutes into the match, Blackburn Olympic's goal looked a bit too open when Ron Walters came free, but Marc Bodsworth reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tris Almond got free with Ivan Butt in the 55th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Keiran Falkingham had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Beeston's Ivan Butt got control of the ball when Tris Almond tried to sneak it across the goal line. After a rather tough play, Blackburn Olympic's Denis Findley got a free kick in the 65th minute. Ron Walters fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marc Bodsworth having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Blackburn Olympic's zone, Ron Walters stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marc Bodsworth came out of the goal and Ron Walters tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ron Walters sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marc Bodsworth showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Giles Laverack in the 79th minute of the match. In the 81st minute, Junior Wilkins made a precise shot to the right of Marc Bodsworth. Blackburn Olympic's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-0. Ron Walters's late challenge caught a Blackburn Olympic's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ron Walters helped the player get up and apologised. In the 84th match minute, Beeston was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ron Walters to maneuver through the defense. Beeston's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.