League

Bobson Arena
Spectators: 7255 (Terracing: 5630, Seating: 1575, VIP seats: 50) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Cliff Bond made the kick off which started today's match. Steve Alsop received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 8th minute. Jason Rawlings tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 12 minutes into the game, Bobson FC's Graham Hirst nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jason Rawlings made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Jason Rawlings made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Steve Alsop in the 17th minute of play. Jason Rawlings took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Steve Alsop, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 25 minutes into the match, Black Country's Cliff Bond sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Casey Gunn narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Cliff Bond fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Casey Gunn having to interfere. When Rueben Greaves fell near the penalty area in the 35th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Bobson FC's protests and gave Rueben Greaves a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Black Country booed when Bobson FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rueben Greaves didn't get a good kick on the ball. 40 minutes into the match, Bobson FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cliff Bond came free, but Casey Gunn reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Casey Gunn took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nigel Sheringham, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Black Country booed when Bobson FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dale Gilchrist didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Bobson FC's zone, Cliff Bond stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Casey Gunn came out of the goal and Cliff Bond tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Steve Alsop stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Nigel Sheringham 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 54 played minutes Bobson FC got a freekick which was hit by Dale Gilchrist. Nigel Sheringham came free with the goalkeeper in the 55th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Casey Gunn could save by the left post. Cliff Bond sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Nigel Sheringham had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Bobson FC's zone, Cliff Bond stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Casey Gunn came out of the goal and Cliff Bond tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Steve Alsop sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Bobson FC's Casey Gunn got control of the ball when Nigel Sheringham tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 79 minutes, Pedro Bilham mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Bobson FC and the Black Country players grew even worse after the yellow card. Pedro Bilham kicked well hit freekick during the 79th minute of the match. Bobson FC's Casey Gunn played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cliff Bond in the 82nd minute of play. After having played for 90 minutes, Nigel Sheringham managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Black Country's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nigel Sheringham was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Cliff Bond had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Nigel Sheringham came up free with the goalie in the 95th minute, the Black Country 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 Nigel Sheringham couldn't finish the play. Black Country's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.