League

Hong Kou
Spectators: 8000 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1840, VIP seats: 160) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Rashad Starks kicked off to start the match. Erma's Chris Beal proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 4th minute of the match, managed to save Erma from getting a goal against them. shenhua's Wilford Mott played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Winston Hutchison in the 10th minute of play. Derek Cleveland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. shenhua's Jordan Graham got a good chance for a goal in the 14th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Derek Cleveland's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Wilford Mott read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 19th minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Miles Connors during the 22nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, shenhua's Miles Connors got a free kick in the 22nd minute. Derek Cleveland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 30th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Chris Beal made a fantastic save in the 35th minute, when Rashad Starks sent off a good shot on target. 36 minutes into the match, Erma's Josiah Phelps sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Wilford Mott narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Derek Cleveland blasted a shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Wilford Mott having to make a save. Dominique Bartley blasted a shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Wilford Mott having to make a save. When Mason Brandon fell near the penalty area in the 41st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored shenhua's protests and gave Mason Brandon a yellow card for diving instead. After 41 played minutes shenhua got a freekick which was hit by Mason Brandon. Derek Cleveland received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Wilford Mott tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Freddie Priest had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 48th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Derek Cleveland was the one to do the kick off. Derek Cleveland could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 55th minute of the match, but Wilford Mott made a huge save. After some fancy dribbling in the 58th minute, Freddie Priest managed to get in a good position for a shot. shenhua's supporters rose to their feet, but Freddie Priest was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Chris Beal breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Derek Cleveland received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 61st minute. Wilford Mott tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Derek Cleveland recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 64th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 66th minute, Josiah Phelps 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. Derek Cleveland 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. Timothy Woodson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Wilford Mott tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 70th minute Derek Cleveland shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Wilford Mott saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Erma's Josiah Phelps got a good chance for a goal in the 72nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 79 minutes of play shenhua's Mason Brandon was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. A collision led to shenhua getting a freekick after 80 minutes play. Mason Brandon hit a great ball. 81 minutes into the match, shenhua's goal looked a bit too open when Derek Cleveland came free, but Wilford Mott reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Josiah Phelps fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wilford Mott having to interfere. 84 minutes into the match, shenhua's goalkeeper Wilford Mott had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Winston Hutchison. 85 minutes into the game, Derek Cleveland recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Wilford Mott. Derek Cleveland showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-1. Wilford Mott stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Derek Cleveland's shot from short distance in the 96th minute. Josiah Phelps recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 97th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When the match was over Erma could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than shenhua throughout the match.