National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Christian Grindheim made the kick off which started today's match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Joe Starr in the 3rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Kenneth Smeland saved Norway from getting behind. Rod Fairbank made a fantastic save in the 4th minute, when Ole-Petter Hotvedt sent off a good shot on target. 6 minutes into the match, England's goal looked a bit too open when Ole-Petter Hotvedt came free, but Rod Fairbank reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ole-Petter Hotvedt who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 6thth minute tested the skills of Rod Fairbank when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Norway's Kenneth Smeland played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joe Starr in the 10th minute of play. 18 minutes into the match, England's Joe Starr sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Kenneth Smeland narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 19th minute of the match England got a corner. Norway's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Émile Zola ran over to the corner to take the kick. A nice corner shot did that Émile Zola got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Kenneth Smeland quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Kenneth Smeland showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dominik Marenghi in the 21st minute of the match. Martin Silden kicked well hit freekick during the 21st minute of the match. Kenneth Smeland showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dominik Marenghi in the 22nd minute of the match. If Dominik Marenghi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rod Fairbank came out of the goal in the 29th minute to try and stop a shot by Norway's Christian Grindheim. But to his dismay, Christian Grindheim quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. In the 31st minute, Morten Tallaksen hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 33 minutes into the game, Norway's Christian Grindheim nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Rod Fairbank made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. England's Rod Fairbank played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Christian Grindheim in the 36th minute of play. Brad Rawson kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. Christian Grindheim recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 44 minutes into the match, England's goal looked a bit too open when Christian Grindheim came free, but Rod Fairbank reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 47th minute, Christian Grindheim made a precise shot to the right of Rod Fairbank. England's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-0. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 3-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Dominik Marenghi made a kick off. Kenneth Smeland took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joe Starr, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 53rd minute Ole-Petter Hotvedt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rod Fairbank saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Norway getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Christian Grindheim hit a great ball. Christian Grindheim hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. Rod Fairbank took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Christian Grindheim, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. England's Rod Fairbank played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Christian Grindheim in the 64th minute of play. Rod Fairbank stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Christian Grindheim's shot from short distance in the 64th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Christian Grindheim in the 64th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Rod Fairbank prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 65thth minute of the game Ole-Petter Hotvedt who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but England's Rod Fairbank was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Rod Fairbank stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Christian Grindheim's shot from short distance in the 70th minute. England made a substitution. Stevie Burton replaced Vinnie Elliott. England's Brian Sheppard was substituted for Dominik Marenghi. Kenneth Smeland showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Brian Sheppard in the 78th minute of the match. Rod Fairbank made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Christian Akselsen in the 87th minute of play. With a little luck, Norway's Kenneth Smeland got control of the ball when Joe Starr tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 92nd play minutes Christian Akselsen shot 4-0, a short shot which went by Rod Fairbank and just under the crossbar into goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Christian Grindheim in the 94th minute of play forced England's goalkeeper Rod Fairbank to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Norway were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of England for a fine match.