League

Abbotsford
Spectators: 10867 (Terracing: 8151, Seating: 2499, VIP seats: 217) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Mo Salah made the kick off which started today's match. After having played for 3 minutes, Denny Commons managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Abbotsford FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Denny Commons was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Perry Ackland in the 4th minute of play forced Manly FC's goalkeeper Ray Clemence to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 12 minutes Abbotsford FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Neville Byrnes who took care of the corner kick. After a rather tough play, Manly FC's Duke Carnduff got a free kick in the 13th minute. Ray Clemence showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Su Xing Jie, who was totally free with the ball in the 18th minute. Abbotsford FC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Pierre Haeberle in the 19th minute. 21 minutes into the game, Zhou Zhen Zhen was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Abbotsford FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Manly FC the free kick. The supporters of Manly FC booed when Abbotsford FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zhou Zhen Zhen didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lei Wei Lin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mo Salah, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lei Wei Lin came out of the goal in the 22nd minute to try and stop a shot by Manly FC's Mo Salah. But to his dismay, Mo Salah quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Ray Clemence made an important save on a dangerous shot by Yakut Vecihi in the 25th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Mo Salah in the 31st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lei Wei Lin saved Abbotsford FC from getting behind. Mo Salah scored 0-2 in the 34th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Lei Wei Lin, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Pierre Haeberle made a great header on Abbotsford FC's corner, it was just that Manly FC's Ray Clemence managed to reach the ball for a save. After the first half Manly FC were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Ray Clemence showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Denny Commons, who was totally free with the ball in the 50th minute. With an all-out effort, Manly FC's Lei Wei Lin threw himself towards the right post 53 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Neville Byrnes, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. John Aldridge received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Lei Wei Lin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ray Clemence showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Yakut Vecihi, who was totally free with the ball in the 58th minute. 62 minutes into the match, Manly FC's goal looked a bit too open when Denny Commons came free, but Ray Clemence reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when John Aldridge got free with Lei Wei Lin in the 66th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Ray Clemence made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Perry Ackland in the 67th minute of play. Ray Clemence showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Perry Ackland, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. John Aldridges short, quick shot in the 70thth minute got Lei Wei Lin to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. In a very dangerous position, a player in Manly FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 72nd minute. Penalty! Manly FC:s Ray Clemence showed great skill when he stopped Denny Commons:s penalty. Manly FC made a substitution. Pete Wittber replaced Rich Osbiston. 84 minutes into the match, Abbotsford FC's goalkeeper Lei Wei Lin had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Neville Byrnes. Manly FC's Mo Salah got a good chance for a goal in the 89th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Manly FC made a substitution. Carmichael Carbery replaced Neville Byrnes. Lei Wei Lin came out of the goal in the 93rd minute to try and stop a shot by Manly FC's Carmichael Carbery. But to his dismay, Carmichael Carbery quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-3. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Manly FC eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.