League

Great Ayton
Spectators: 7100 (Terracing: 5590, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 10) Great Ayton United's Tony Horner started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 7th minute Tony Horner shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fitz Illingworth saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Trevor Newman kicked well hit freekick during the 9th minute of the match. Lee Woodhead took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Conal Chalmers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Fitz Illingworth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tony Horner in the 14th minute of play. Alan Chegwyn's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Fitz Illingworth firmly grabbed it by the left post. Conal Chalmers fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 21st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lee Woodhead having to interfere. Lee Woodhead took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gary Piercy, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 25th minute Gary Piercy shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lee Woodhead saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jack Jones's late challenge caught a Rushden's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jack Jones helped the player get up and apologised. In the 26th minute, Jack Jones hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gary Piercy fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 28th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lee Woodhead having to interfere. Conal Chalmers fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 30th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lee Woodhead having to interfere. 33 minutes into the match, Great Ayton United's Alan Chegwyn sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Fitz Illingworth narrowly saved just below the crossbar. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

If Conal Chalmers had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rushden's Gary Piercy got a good chance for a goal in the 54th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Gary Piercy in the 55thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Lee Woodhead, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. The supporters of Rushden booed when Great Ayton United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lenny Woodward didn't get a good kick on the ball. Conal Chalmers might have been able to make a better finish in the 62nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Lee Woodhead. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Conal Chalmers ran back to his position shaking his head. A hard shot 66 in the game by Gary Piercy from a close distance when the talented Lee Woodhead managed to make a qualified save. Great Ayton United's players were relieved. Great Ayton United's Alan Chegwyn got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Alan Chegwyn's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Fitz Illingworth read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 70th minute of play. A collision led to Rushden getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Gerry Corbridge hit a great ball. Gary Piercy fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lee Woodhead having to interfere. When Trevor Newman fell near the penalty area in the 77th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Great Ayton United's protests and gave Trevor Newman a yellow card for diving instead. In the 78th minute of the match, Conal Chalmers tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Lee Woodhead saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. With a little luck, Great Ayton United's Lee Woodhead got control of the ball when Gary Piercy tried to sneak it across the goal line. Fitz Illingworth showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tony Horner, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. Lee Woodhead showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Conal Chalmers in the 89th minute of the match. After 91 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Rushden! Alastair Downing shot the penalty kick by force right in the crossbar. No goal. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Great Ayton United fans cheered their team off the field, for while Rushden had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.