League

Herne Bay
Spectators: 8053 (Terracing: 6041, Seating: 1852, VIP seats: 160) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Gez Rain made the kick off which started today's match. In the 3rd match minute, Skadoosh ! was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pat Mawson to maneuver through the defense. After 3 played minutes, Batley's Iain Wiltshire shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Craig Cole 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 Batley reached it. The referee felt a red card was in order, 13 minutes into the game, when Jonathon Theobold put in a rough tackle. In the 12th minute, one of Skadoosh !:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Skadoosh !. 18 minutes into the match, Gez Rain had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Craig Cole. Skadoosh !'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gez Rain was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-3. In the 22nd match minute, Skadoosh ! was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tom Perryman to maneuver through the defense. Batley's Neil Doona proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save Batley from getting a goal against them. Robert Waddington hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. 28 minutes into the match, Skadoosh !'s Ray Duggan broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Batley's Neil Doona proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 30th minute of the match, managed to save Batley from getting a goal against them. A collision led to Skadoosh ! getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Pat Mawson hit a great ball. Craig Cole made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gez Rain in the 33rd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gez Rain in the 39th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Craig Cole saved Skadoosh ! from getting behind. Craig Cole showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Timothy Slator, who was totally free with the ball in the 41st minute. In the 45th minute, Iain Wiltshire hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Neil Doona acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 46th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Pat Mawson.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Patrick Brough was the one to do the kick off. Craig Cole made an important save on a dangerous shot by Grant Corcoran in the 55th minute. The crowd rose to their feet as Gez Rain kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Craig Cole. That made the score 0-4 in the 55 minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gez Rain in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Craig Cole saved Skadoosh ! from getting behind. In the 65th minute of the match, Gez Rain tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Craig Cole saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. When Skadoosh !'s Pat Mawson in the 73rd minute got a chance for a shot 73rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Batley's goalie prevented a goal. 77 minutes into the match, Skadoosh !'s goalkeeper Craig Cole had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Grant Corcoran. In the 83rd minute of the match Ray Duggan shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Neil Doona showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patrick Brough in the 89th minute of play forced Batley's goalkeeper Neil Doona to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Skadoosh ! fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Batley were clearly better and deserved to take the win.