League

Atlantic Beach
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rufus Diamond made the kick off which started today's match. Wally Weaver stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Max Bolton's shot from short distance in the 12th minute. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind Springfield FC's goalkeeper Lanny Cobb, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Springfield FC's Lanny Cobb played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rufus Diamond in the 19th minute of play. 20 minutes into the game, Tom Kessler was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Springfield FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Atlantic Beach FC the free kick. Tom Kessler hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. 1-0 became the score in the 21st minute when Rufus Diamond elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. Gilberto Bruce fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wally Weaver having to interfere. Wally Weaver showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Max Bolton in the 28th minute of the match. Rupert Thacker sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rupert Thacker's late challenge caught a Springfield FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rupert Thacker helped the player get up and apologised. In the 45th minute Rufus Diamond shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lanny Cobb saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 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.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gilberto Bruce stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The supporters of Atlantic Beach FC booed when Springfield FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rory Mata didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lanny Cobb made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rupert Thacker in the 57th minute of play. In the 61st minute, Rufus Diamond 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 65 minutes, Max Bolton made it 1-1 with a short kick to the right side. Atlantic Beach FC's Wally Weaver tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Lanny Cobb made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rupert Thacker in the 70th minute of play. In the 72nd minute, Springfield FC's Gilberto Bruce ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Wally Weaver. Wally Weaver yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-2. A collision led to Atlantic Beach FC getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Rupert Thacker hit a great ball. After having played for 86 minutes, Rufus Diamond managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atlantic Beach FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rufus Diamond was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 93rd minute, Gilberto Bruce reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Wally Weaver. The goal made the score 1-3. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Springfield FC eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.