League

Rudston Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Barry Armitage might have been able to make a better finish in the 4th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Richie Matthews. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Barry Armitage ran back to his position shaking his head. 5 minutes into the game, Alec Cheesman was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sunderland's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rudston the free kick. Alec Cheesman hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. Neil Bishop blasted a shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Stevie Brooks having to make a save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Garry Willmott in the 8th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Stevie Brooks saved Sunderland from getting behind. When Sunderland's Barry Armitage in the 14th minute got a chance for a shot 14th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Rudston's goalie prevented a goal. If Barry Armitage had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Wes Garner-Currie during the 16th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Rudston getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Wes Garner-Currie hit a great ball. Richie Matthews made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Barry Armitage in the 20th minute of play. Barry Armitage blasted a shot towards the goal in the 24th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Richie Matthews having to make a save. Rudston's Richie Matthews played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alec Cheesman in the 26th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Neil Bishop's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Stevie Brooks was relentless in the 30th minute of the game. In the 31st match minute, Sunderland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nick Winehouse to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Sunderland's Martyn Hogg got a free kick in the 34th minute. 39 minutes into the game, Sunderland's Blair Hoult nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Richie Matthews made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Barry Armitage received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 43rd minute. Richie Matthews tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

Garry Willmott recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Barry Armitage fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 58th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Richie Matthews having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Barry Armitage in the 60th minute of play forced Rudston's goalkeeper Richie Matthews to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Richie Matthews showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Barry Armitage, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. In the 67thth minute of the game Barry Armitage who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Rudston's Richie Matthews was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Stevie Brooks took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Neil Bishop, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rudston's Richie Matthews played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Barry Armitage in the 74th minute of play. In the 78th minute Barry Armitage shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Richie Matthews saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After having played for 80 minutes, Blair Hoult managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Sunderland's supporters crossed their fingers, but Blair Hoult 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 82nd minute, Barry Armitage left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Sunderland fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-0. After some fancy dribbling in the 91st minute, Neil Bishop managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rudston's supporters rose to their feet, but Neil Bishop was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Stevie Brooks breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Neil Bishop recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Richie Matthews stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Barry Armitage's shot from short distance in the 95th minute. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Sunderland fans cheered their team off the field, for while Rudston had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.