How to write engaging match reports like a pro

Imagine you’re at a thrilling football match. Brighton plays, and you want to capture every exciting moment for your readers.

Whether you are a reporter, a sports blogger, or a student willing to tell about your favourite football team in your college essay, you need to know how to write match reports so the audience gets hooked and glued. In this article, you’ll find actionable tips on how to do that.

Look:

Writing a match report equals storytelling but with extra elements for that story to engage and inform the audience. Professional journalists and thesis writing help experts have mastered this art, but guess what?

You can get this writing skill, too!

Keep reading for the details.

Before the Match

If you know you will write a match report on a particular game, prepare in advance.

Take a pen and paper to make notes, whether at the stadium or watching the match online. Before the game starts, look around and outline anything that looks intriguing and may serve as catchy details for your future report:

• What is the atmosphere?
• How many people have attended the game?
• What’s the weather, conditions, and state of the pitch?

Also, try to get a list of players or team selections before the match. It will help you keep track of who is who and what they do on the pitch, clarify details, and avoid controversies when you report on the match after it’s over.

Audio notes can be your option to describe the before-game atmosphere. Also, take a camera with you: If you plan to publish your match report online (your website, social media accounts, or some sports blogs), photos from the game will complement your story and engage more readers to check it out.

How to Write a Match Report Step by Step

Once the game is over and emotions subsided, you can sit and start sorting out your notes. Here is a compelling structure for you to organise your report:

1. Begin with a strong introduction that includes the match’s score, winner, date, and location.
First, write an engaging introductory paragraph. Mention the score, who won, the date, and where the game took place. For example, “Joel Veltman scored two goals Saturday to lead Brighton to a 2-0 win over Toronto FC in Chester.”

2. Set the scene by describing the atmosphere, weather, pitch condition, and attendance to help readers visualize the event.
Next, set the scene for readers to “see” the game. Describe the atmosphere, the weather, the state of the pitch, and the attendance.

Thus, you might say, “Brighton controlled the tempo all day thanks to a stingy defence and patient centre midfield, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen came up with a big save late in the game to secure the shutout.”

After that, move on to the key events of the match:

• Goals, tries, or wickets
• Substitutes on and off the field
• Red or yellow cards
• Penalties or conversations
• Injuries or stoppages
• Exciting periods, well-executed moves (and controversy!)

3. Outline the above chronologically while keeping descriptions concise.
Be specific and avoid rambling. Write in short paragraphs, no longer than 2-3 sentences, and include the names of players and coaches where relevant. Provide statistics and lineups, including starting players, substitutes, and misconduct such as cautions or red cards.

It will provide a complete picture of the game for your readers.

• Use vivid language to illustrate the action and excitement of the match and bring the game to life in the readers’ eyes. For instance, “The opening goal arrived when the fourth scored an effective shot from outside the box,” or “Tension stored as the home team pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes.”
• Include quotes from managers, players, or key figures to provide different viewpoints and add depth to the report.
• Ensure a balanced representation of quotes from both teams for fair analysis.

4. Focus on clarity and engagement to maintain reader interest throughout the report.
To engage readers and keep them glued to your report, create a sense of presence while writing. For that, use active verbs (present tense) and add descriptive adjectives. Don’t be afraid of using emotional (yet unbiased!) language, and mention who did what.

5. Conclude with the match summary.
Recap the main points and analyse both teams’ performance, highlighting the areas where they excelled and could improve. Also, consider the immediate impact of the game and any lasting legacy it might have.

Your Individuality and Voice in the Report

A sports report isn’t like general news reporting: It’s okay for an author to express themselves when writing it. Sure, you should remain unbiased, but feel free to bring an individual writing style and voice to your text.

Not only do you provide information and statistics in your match report, but you also share your perspective on the game.

Remember:
Sports reporting is about conveying the energy and emotions on the pitch. Your task is to inform but (!) also entertain the readers and leave a lasting impression.

Feel free to use creative writing techniques like metaphors or anecdotes to bring the match to life and make your text captivating.

Your task is to find a balance between professionalism and creativity.

Check and Format Before Publishing

Once the draft of your report is ready, don’t hurry up to publish it or submit it for the editor’s review. The final step is to revise it, i.e., edit and proofread it for better quality.

Read your report several times:

• Ensure you didn’t misspell players’ names, didn’t confuse their roles, and didn’t mix up football elements, whatever.
• Identify grammatical and punctuation mistakes and confirm your writing is concise and clear.
• Eliminate unnecessary information that is irrelevant to your narrative.
• Check the flow: Do you have clear, logical transitions between paragraphs? Organize your text for stellar readability and coherence.

A pro tip: Don’t edit right after your draft is complete. Take a break and return to your text refreshed to be more attentive and notice drawbacks you would miss if you read it when tired.

(The ideal variant would be to revise your text the day or two after writing, but an hour away from your computer is also acceptable.)

A fresh perspective can help you stay objective when editing.

Also, you can ask someone to read your draft: a friend, a mentor, an editor, you name it. They’ll see it from the reader’s perspective and may notice details or mistakes you’ve missed.

Happy Writing!

That’s all, folks! You’re ready to write stellar reports on your favourite Brighton games.

By following these steps, you’ll craft an engaging and informative match report. Do your best to keep readers hooked from start to finish — that’s what writing like a pro means.