League

Eric Cantona Arena
Spectators: 8153 (Terracing: 6116, Seating: 1875, VIP seats: 162) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gregg Jeavons kicked off to start the match. When Fabian Smoothy fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Atherton's protests and gave Fabian Smoothy a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd match minute, Atherton was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fabian Smoothy to maneuver through the defense. Atherton's Luke Veitch played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Randolph Hunn in the 5th minute of play. Red Devils United's Barnes Hunter played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Eden Cubitt in the 7th minute of play. Barnes Hunter showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Benny Twite, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. 17 minutes into the match, Atherton's goal looked a bit too open when Raymond James came free, but Luke Veitch reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 17 minutes of play, Red Devils United's Raymond James made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Luke Veitch was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 21 played minutes, Atherton's Clark Markwell shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Barnes Hunter came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Atherton reached it. Atherton's Luke Veitch proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save Atherton from getting a goal against them. Gregg Jeavons fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Barnes Hunter having to interfere. 29 minutes into the match, Red Devils United's goal looked a bit too open when Gregg Jeavons came free, but Barnes Hunter reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 30th minute, Eden Cubitt got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 36th minute, Rich Mcvicar hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Luke Veitch made a fantastic save in the 37th minute, when Jacobs Gracey sent off a good shot on target. Barnes Hunter took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gregg Jeavons, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After the first half Atherton were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Randolph Hunn to strike the kick off in the second half. Luke Veitch showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Randolph Hunn, who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. 57 minutes into the game, Benny Twite cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-3. Barnes Hunter was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 62nd minute, Randolph Hunn ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Luke Veitch was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-3. Randolph Hunn sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 69th minute of the game. One of Red Devils United:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Atherton:s goal. Howie Walkington placed the ball on the penalty spot and got himself ready to shoot. Post out! In the 73rd minute Gregg Jeavons shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Barnes Hunter saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Luke Veitch showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Randolph Hunn, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. Gregg Jeavons received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Barnes Hunter came out and tried to block the shot, but Gregg Jeavons slotted it home off the left post making it 2-4 in the 97th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Rich Mcvicar during the 100th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Atherton getting a freekick after 100 minutes play. Rich Mcvicar hit a great ball. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Atherton eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.