League

Ilkeston Arena
Spectators: 7420 (Terracing: 5603, Seating: 1717, VIP seats: 100) After a defensive mix-up in Ilkeston FC Champ's zone, Damian Grigg stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gerry Birch came out of the goal and Damian Grigg tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Lance Best sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gerry Birch showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alex Best, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. The supporters of Ilkeston FC Champ booed when Whitton City was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alf Bass didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lance Best was extremely unlucky when he, in the 13th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. 17 minutes into the match, Whitton City's goal looked a bit too open when Austin Hanley came free, but Graham Morrison reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ronny Daly charged in rather forcefully in the 19th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ronny Daly the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Whitton City's Ronny Daly got a free kick in the 20th minute. In the 22nd minute Alex Best shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gerry Birch saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Gerry Birch showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Damian Grigg, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. Donny Chambers fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Graham Morrison having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Whitton City's zone, Lance Best stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Graham Morrison came out of the goal and Lance Best tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 41 minutes, Alex Best managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Whitton City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alex Best was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 46 minutes into the match, Ilkeston FC Champ's goal looked a bit too open when Damian Grigg came free, but Gerry Birch reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alex Best might have been able to make a better finish in the 47th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Gerry Birch. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alex Best ran back to his position shaking his head.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Damian Grigg made a kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 53rd minute, Alex Best managed to get in a good position for a shot. Whitton City's supporters rose to their feet, but Alex Best was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gerry Birch breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Ilkeston FC Champ's Gerry Birch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Damian Grigg in the 54th minute of play. Gerry Birch came out of the goal in the 56th minute to try and stop a shot by Whitton City's Alex Best. But to his dismay, Alex Best quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Gerry Birch made a fantastic save in the 63rd minute, when Alex Best sent off a good shot on target. The audience thought a goal was coming when Alex Best got free with Gerry Birch in the 65th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Eddy Norton managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ilkeston FC Champ's supporters rose to their feet, but Eddy Norton was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Graham Morrison breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Donny Chambers sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Whitton City's zone, Donny Chambers stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Graham Morrison came out of the goal and Donny Chambers tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Austin Hanley came up free with the goalie in the 72nd minute, the Ilkeston FC Champ 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 Austin Hanley couldn't finish the play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Donny Chambers during the 79th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Donny Chambers hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Donny Chambers hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. Alex Best could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 83rd minute of the match, but Gerry Birch made a huge save. In the 85th minute, Terry Stubbs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alex Best received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Gerry Birch tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 89th minute, Damian Grigg fired away a free kick at the goal, but hit it at the wrong angle and it went over the crossbar. In the 91st minute Damian Grigg shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gerry Birch saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Ilkeston FC Champ getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Alistair Hitchcock hit a great ball. Whitton City's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.