U23 World League

White Hart Lane
Spectators: 7693 (Terracing: 5771, Seating: 1769, VIP seats: 153) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Ged Pope started the match with the kick off. Cristian Gau was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Ged Pope showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 9 minute of play. Cristian Gau showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ged Pope in the 12th minute of the match. Ivan Stone made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Asopos Katsiavrias in the 15th minute of play. Ged Pope hit a great freekick 16 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roger Crossley in the 21st minute of play forced Copérnico F.C.'s goalkeeper Cristian Gau to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alvaro Montrell in the 26th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ivan Stone saved T H F C from getting behind. When Copérnico F.C.'s Alvaro Montrell in the 28th minute got a chance for a shot 28th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye T H F C's goalie prevented a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alvaro Montrell in the 28th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ivan Stone prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The crowd rose to their feet as T H F C's Ged Pope slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Cristian Gau. That made the score 2-0 after 32 minutes of play. A hard shot 35 in the game by Ged Pope from a close distance when the talented Cristian Gau managed to make a qualified save. Copérnico F.C.'s players were relieved. The crowd rose to their feet as Ged Pope kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Cristian Gau. That made the score 3-0 in the 36 minute of play. 39 minutes into the game, Ben Gibbs was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. T H F C's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Copérnico F.C. the free kick. In the 40th minute, Ben Gibbs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Paulino Ledesma was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 40th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Ivan Stone showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alvaro Montrell in the 45th minute of the match. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 3-0 at half-time.

T H F C made a substitution. Matty Tinker replaced Ged Pope. Copérnico F.C.'s Alvaro Montrell got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Paulino Ledesma fell near the penalty area in the 54th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Copérnico F.C.'s protests and gave Paulino Ledesma a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of T H F C booed when Copérnico F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paulino Ledesma didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 58th minute Roger Crossley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Cristian Gau saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cristian Gau showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roger Crossley, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. Matty Tinker recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 60th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Paulino Ledesma kicked well hit freekick during the 66th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, T H F C's Garth Wardell got a free kick in the 67th minute. In the 70thth minute of the game Alvaro Montrell who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but T H F C's Ivan Stone was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After 76 minutes T H F C's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Paulino Ledesma who took care of the corner kick. The corner ended in Paulino Ledesma almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but T H F C's Ivan Stone did a great save. When the match clock showed 77 minutes, the score became 3-1 when Alvaro Montrell sped through T H F C's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Ivan Stone. In the 82nd minute of the match T H F C got a corner. Copérnico F.C.'s goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Garth Wardell ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on T H F C's corner Garth Wardell fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Cristian Gau quite easily take care of the ball. After 85 played minutes T H F C got a freekick which was hit by Wayne Campbell. Alvaro Montrells short, quick shot in the 87thth minute got Ivan Stone to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. A collision led to T H F C getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Roger Crossley hit a great ball. After having played for 90 minutes, Asopos Katsiavrias managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Copérnico F.C.'s supporters crossed their fingers, but Asopos Katsiavrias was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Copérnico F.C.'s Cristian Gau played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Matty Tinker in the 92nd minute of play. Cristian Gau took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Matty Tinker, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Copérnico F.C.'s players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.