League

Arnold
Spectators: 6716 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1716, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Mike Alsford took the kick off in the first half of the match. Roger Sawyer scored 1-0 in the 5th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Charlie Le Saux, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 9 minutes into the match, Arnold FC's goal looked a bit too open when Mike Alsford came free, but John Talbot reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee felt a red card was in order, 11 minutes into the game, when Jay Waple put in a rough tackle. In the 11th minute, one of Finchley:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Finchley. The audience was convinced that Conal Pelc's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but John Talbot was relentless in the 25th minute of the game. Tim Flemming sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Conal Pelc charged in rather forcefully in the 29th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Conal Pelc the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 32ndth minute of the game Al Spears who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Arnold FC's John Talbot was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. A collision led to Arnold FC getting a freekick after 33 minutes play. Barrie Bullard hit a great ball. Al Spears's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but John Talbot read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 35th minute of play. If Al Spears had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Finchley booed when Arnold FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tim Flemming didn't get a good kick on the ball. Roger Sawyer's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 45thth minute, Charlie Le Saux skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Roger Sawyer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Stephen Gulliver made a kick off. Al Spears recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 53rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Nicholas Kearney managed to get in a good position for a shot. Finchley's supporters rose to their feet, but Nicholas Kearney was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. John Talbot breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Arnold FC's John Talbot proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 57th minute of the match, managed to save Arnold FC from getting a goal against them. Al Spears's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but John Talbot read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 63rd minute of play. Roger Sawyer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 69th minute, Roger Sawyer 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. Conal Pelc kicked well hit freekick during the 70th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Stephen Gulliver in the 71st minute of play forced Finchley's goalkeeper Charlie Le Saux to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Charlie Le Saux came out of the goal in the 77th minute to try and stop a shot by Arnold FC's Roger Sawyer. But to his dismay, Roger Sawyer quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-2. In the 80th minute, Al Spears 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. The supporters of Finchley booed when Arnold FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Barrie Bullard didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 91st match minute, Arnold FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dominic Welsh to maneuver through the defense. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.