League

Arnold
Spectators: 6690 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1690, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Stephen Gulliver started the match with the kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Stephen Gulliver managed to get in a good position for a shot. Arnold FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Stephen Gulliver was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Don Hardcastle breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Kris Tynan fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without John Talbot having to interfere. 15 minutes into the match, Arnold FC's goal looked a bit too open when Kris Tynan came free, but John Talbot reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Trevor Wilmott recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 23rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Barrie Bullard's late challenge caught a Hazel Grove United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Barrie Bullard helped the player get up and apologised. In the 26th match minute, Arnold FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Barrie Bullard to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trevor Wilmott in the 27th minute of play forced Arnold FC's goalkeeper John Talbot to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hazel Grove United's Don Hardcastle played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Stephen Gulliver in the 30th minute of play. Trevor Wilmott received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. John Talbot tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Roger Sawyer might have been able to make a better finish in the 35th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Don Hardcastle. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Roger Sawyer ran back to his position shaking his head. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trevor Wilmott in the 40th minute of play forced Arnold FC's goalkeeper John Talbot to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Kris Tynan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. John Talbot showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kris Tynan, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

If Roger Sawyer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 57th match minute, Hazel Grove United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matt Ashby to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Hazel Grove United booed when Arnold FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Barrie Bullard didn't get a good kick on the ball. Don Hardcastle made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Stephen Gulliver in the 67th minute of play. The Hazel Grove United fans' excitement grew in the 69th match minute when Hazel Grove United's Kris Tynan looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. A collision led to Hazel Grove United getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Carlton Peakman hit a great ball. If Stephen Gulliver had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Trevor Wilmott received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. John Talbot tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 78th match minute, Hazel Grove United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Orson Abbotts to maneuver through the defense. John Talbot took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Trevor Wilmott, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kris Tynan blasted a shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without John Talbot having to make a save. Hazel Grove United's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.