League

THEATRE OF DREAMS
Spectators: 8042 (Terracing: 6032, Seating: 1850, VIP seats: 160) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Nicky Flanagan got the match started through his kick off. The supporters of Battersea AFC booed when Wimbledon FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bryan Powell didn't get a good kick on the ball. John Scott didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Benji Skinner went, in the 8th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-0 was the resulting score. Garth May fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Stephen George having to interfere. After having played for 15 minutes, Nicky Flanagan managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Battersea AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nicky Flanagan was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 19 minutes into the game, Battersea AFC's Garth May nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Stephen George made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. John Scott made a fantastic save in the 23rd minute, when Benji Skinner sent off a good shot on target. After 26 minutes, Stuart Forrest mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Wimbledon FC and the Battersea AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Garth May received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 28th minute. Stephen George tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 31st match minute, Wimbledon FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Christopher Horn to maneuver through the defense. In the 33rd minute of the match, Benji Skinner got a very nice opportunity to score, but John Scott was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. An unexpectedly hard shot by Christopher Horn in the 38th minute of play forced Battersea AFC's goalkeeper John Scott to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Wimbledon FC's zone, Garth May stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Stephen George came out of the goal and Garth May tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 42nd minute, Garth May ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Stephen George was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2. The crowd rose to their feet as Stuart Forrest kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving John Scott. That made the score 2-2 in the 47 minute of play. The first half was very even, with the score at 2-2 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Christopher Horn made a kick off. Wimbledon FC's Benji Skinner got a good chance for a goal in the 62nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Wimbledon FC's Stephen George played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nicky Flanagan in the 64th minute of play. In the 65th minute, Garth May reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Stephen George. The goal made the score 2-3. After 78 minutes, Wayne Beaumont mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Wimbledon FC and the Battersea AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Wimbledon FC getting a freekick after 78 minutes play. Wayne Beaumont hit a great ball. In the 79th play minute Garth May came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Stephen George. 2-4. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Battersea AFC had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.