League

Acton Park
Spectators: 6921 (Terracing: 5200, Seating: 1716, VIP seats: 5) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Louis Reynolds got the match started through his kick off. Larry Atherton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 2nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 4th minute, Rex Hatcher left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Hackney Downs United fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. If Larry Atherton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Larry Atherton recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Rex Hatcher sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ed Draper showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Larry Atherton, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. If Larry Atherton had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Larry Atherton came up free with the goalie in the 24th minute, the Hackney Downs United fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Larry Atherton couldn't finish the play. Ed Draper made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Larry Atherton in the 26th minute of play. After having played for 29 minutes, Larry Atherton managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Hackney Downs United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Larry Atherton was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Larry Atherton in the 31st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ed Draper saved Acton FC from getting behind. After 32 played minutes Hackney Downs United got a freekick which was hit by Rex Hatcher. Larry Atherton took the ball and in the 42 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ed Draper. Ed Draper dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. Ed Draper made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Larry Atherton in the 45th minute of play. Rex Hatcher 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. The Acton FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Hackney Downs United were winning 0-2.

The wind increased when Larry Atherton made the kick off in the second half. After a defensive mix-up in Hackney Downs United's zone, Louis Reynolds stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Johnny Beck came out of the goal and Louis Reynolds tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rex Hatcher took the ball and in the 54 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ed Draper. Ed Draper dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-3. Louis Reynolds struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Johnny Beck didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Acton FC. Rex Hatcher fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ed Draper having to interfere. Acton FC's Ed Draper proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 63rd minute of the match, managed to save Acton FC from getting a goal against them. 66 minutes into the match, Acton FC's goal looked a bit too open when Larry Atherton came free, but Ed Draper reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ed Draper made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jonathan Fordham in the 70th minute of play. 72 minutes into the match, Hackney Downs United's Rex Hatcher sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Ed Draper narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Larry Atherton in the 73rd minute of play forced Acton FC's goalkeeper Ed Draper to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Larry Atherton sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 83rd minute, Larry Atherton managed to get in a good position for a shot. Hackney Downs United's supporters rose to their feet, but Larry Atherton was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ed Draper breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Rex Hatcher was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 87th minute. Hackney Downs United's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Hackney Downs United's Larry Atherton got a good chance for a goal in the 89th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Larry Atherton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 92nd minute. Ed Draper tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Larry Atherton in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ed Draper prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 96th play minute Brad Cummins came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Ed Draper. 0-4. When the match was over Hackney Downs United could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Acton FC throughout the match.