League

ADA County Ground
Spectators: 8520 (Terracing: 6391, Seating: 1959, VIP seats: 170) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Trey Golding started the match with the kick off. Leon Pilkington made an important save on a dangerous shot by Trey Golding in the 5th minute. With his leg Leon Pilkington managed to avoid a goal in the 6thth minute, when Ashley Down Athletic's Trey Golding fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. An unexpected shot in the 8th minute by Trey Golding got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. In the 15thth minute of the game Dean Ashton who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ashley Down Athletic's Roberto Estevon was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Trey Golding could shoot a difficult shot in the 17th minute, which Leon Pilkington however easily saved by the left post. A hard shot 19 in the game by Trey Golding from a close distance when the talented Leon Pilkington managed to make a qualified save. Merton Albion FC's players were relieved. Thanks to some nice moves Trey Golding could shoot a difficult shot in the 20th minute, which Leon Pilkington however easily saved by the left post. In the 21st minute Ed Helks shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Leon Pilkington saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 22 minutes had been played when some careless play by Merton Albion FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Ruben Higginson was slow to take the kick. During this time Ashley Down Athletic's players had a chance to rest. The corner led to Ashley Down Athletic's Joe Mead getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. Trey Golding in the 27thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Leon Pilkington, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Roberto Estevon showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Dean Ashton, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. A collision led to Ashley Down Athletic getting a freekick after 35 minutes play. Ruben Higginson hit a great ball. Roberto Estevon stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Dean Ashton's shot from short distance in the 38th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dean Ashton in the 40th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Roberto Estevon prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Dean Ashton's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Roberto Estevon read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 43rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dean Ashton in the 46th minute of play forced Ashley Down Athletic's goalkeeper Roberto Estevon to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Dean Ashton made a kick off. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Ashley Down Athletic's goalie and right to Rod Constantine. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Ashley Down Athletic's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Roberto Estevon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Ashton in the 57th minute of play. 60 minutes into the match, Merton Albion FC's goal looked a bit too open when Trey Golding came free, but Leon Pilkington reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Leon Pilkington made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Trey Golding in the 61st minute of play. Dean Ashton might have been able to make a better finish in the 63rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Roberto Estevon. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Dean Ashton ran back to his position shaking his head. Dean Ashton could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 63rd minute of the match, but Roberto Estevon made a huge save. Dean Ashton struck a weak shot in the 65th minute. Roberto Estevon didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merton Albion FC. Will Starr hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. After having played for 70 minutes, Dean Ashton managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Merton Albion FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Dean Ashton was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Dean Ashton blasted a shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Roberto Estevon having to make a save. Joe Mead hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. If Dean Ashton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Merton Albion FC made a substitution. Louis Amos replaced Zak Bassett. An unexpectedly hard shot by John-Paul Whittingham in the 79th minute of play forced Ashley Down Athletic's goalkeeper Roberto Estevon to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ashley Down Athletic's Roberto Estevon proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 81st minute of the match, managed to save Ashley Down Athletic from getting a goal against them. Roberto Estevon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dean Ashton in the 87th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Ashley Down Athletic's Ed Helks got a free kick in the 92nd minute. 95 minutes into the match, Ashley Down Athletic's goal looked a bit too open when Dean Ashton came free, but Roberto Estevon reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.