League

Chreedcourt
Spectators: 7422 (Terracing: 5567, Seating: 1707, VIP seats: 148) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Reg Bush got the match started through his kick off. Nicky Payne showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nathan Durrant in the 9th minute of the match. In the 10th match minute, Stroud was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sly Stockton to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 12 minutes, Ash Hough managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Houghton le Spring's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ash Hough was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 14 minutes into the match, Stroud's goal looked a bit too open when Ash Hough came free, but Nicky Payne reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 15 minutes into the match, Curtis Illingworth had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ty Ferrell. Houghton le Spring's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Curtis Illingworth was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. Nicky Payne made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ash Hough in the 18th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ash Hough in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nicky Payne prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Nicky Payne showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Graeme Woodward in the 22nd minute of the match. After recieving a nice pass, Stroud's Lance Tully tried to score from far away in the 25th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Reg Bush received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Ty Ferrell came out and tried to block the shot, but Reg Bush slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 27th minute. Nicky Payne made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ash Hough in the 33rd minute of play. Nicky Payne showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ash Hough, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. 35 minutes into the match, Stroud's goal looked a bit too open when Nathan Durrant came free, but Nicky Payne reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 36 played minutes Houghton le Spring got a freekick which was hit by Nathan Durrant. Nicky Payne made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nathan Durrant in the 40th minute of play. In the 41st match minute, Stroud was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sly Stockton to maneuver through the defense. Ash Hough fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nicky Payne having to interfere. 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 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ash Hough made a kick off. Nathan Durrant's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nicky Payne read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 54th minute of play. After having played for 55 minutes, Nathan Durrant managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Houghton le Spring's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nathan Durrant was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The audience was convinced that Ash Hough's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Nicky Payne was relentless in the 58th minute of the game. Nicky Payne was out of position in the 60 minute of play, and Ash Hough capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Ash Hough really showed his touch with that goal: 2-1. 64 minutes into the match, Stroud's goalkeeper Nicky Payne had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Nathan Durrant. 65 minutes in the game, Ash Hough fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Nicky Payne having to interfere. Ash Hough received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Nicky Payne tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 70th match minute, Stroud was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Will Boyce to maneuver through the defense. Nathan Durrant who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 76thth minute tested the skills of Nicky Payne when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Sly Stockton hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. With 82 minutes on the clock, Beinn Deeney commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. In a very dangerous position, a player in Stroud fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 81st minute. Penalty! With a little luck, Stroud's Nicky Payne got control of the ball when Nathan Durrant tried to sneak it across the goal line. Nicky Payne took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ash Hough, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Houghton le Spring getting a freekick after 90 minutes play. Jeff Friend hit a great ball. If Jools Stayton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The teams fought very hard right up to the final whistle. Both sets of players were happy to go away with a draw.