KINGS AFC 3 - 5 ANGLERS REST

Sunday 13th August 2006

Line-up: Sansom (Barras), Cain (Vassily), Fordham (Phil Hatton), Wilson (Green), Crane (Richardson), Haywood (c) (Scruby), Paul Hatton, Tomlin (Barber), Mike Whelan (Ben Whelan), Clements (Barber), Morgan (Cremlin)

Half time score: 3-1

Kings AFC Scorers: Clements (2) Morgan

There might be a buzz going around at the moment about the England squad selection and John Terry’s captaincy. But down in Clapham all eyes were fixed on Haywood leading out the first ever Kings side.

It was always going to be a tough fixture playing against a Sunday league division one side (the equivalent of 5 divisions above us), but Wilson saw his warriors come out with not just a good performance – but also scared the Anglers Rest half to death!

It is not an exaggeration to say that the first half hour was all Kings! Infact from the first whistle the defence looked comfortable, midfield was dominating and the forwards picking holes in their more experienced opposition.

With Whelan and Tomlin particularly looking good down the flanks, showing great pace and determination. The first goal came after good work from Morgan, who played the ball out to Tomlin who whipped a pin point ball in for Clements who rose well to nod in the first EVER Kings AFC goal.

That was quickly followed by a well-taken Morgan finish, which was lashed into the top left corner – when it looked like he’d misplaced his effort, after Clements had nicked the ball off a defenders toe to set him up with a neat pass.

Before Clements then claimed a brace thumbing in a delicious volley having been set up by Hatton. 3-0 Kings!

The opposition began to get more and more ratty and niggles began creeping into the game, not helped by one or two late tackles by Haywood and Fordham. It was infact a late tackle from the latter in his own box which felled an Anglers Rest forward, and the ref would have given a penalty had the ball not squirmed underneath Sansom and into the Kings goal. It was a real shame with Kings so much on top, but further misery followed, as a shove on the keeper tempted Crane to get involved physically pushing the opposition player and the referee saw it fit to send him for an early shower. It was a harsh decision but as one of the senior players in the team Crane should have known better then to raise his arms.

Richardson stepped in and covered admirably for the remainder of the half.

Half time

It was all change at half time as Wilson got the opportunity to see some of the other new Kings players, trying to make best use of his squad and then rotating players around where possible.

The unsettled team and formation, added to the fact that the wind was picking up making long balls easier for the opposition and defending more difficult as Kings new defence were trying to clear their lines.

Despite Kings playing well in spells, the experienced Anglers came back into the game with a shot unluckily creeping past second half custodian Barras. Followed by an equaliser which brought the Anglers searching for a winner.

Playing their first game was taking its toll, with two players struggling with knocks, particularly as it was some of the players first ever experience of 11-a-side football, and despite three good saves from Barras, the Anglers Rest scored two late goals to leave the score line at the end looking a little flattering.

All in all a great workout for the squad - If Kings can maintain this sort of level of football they will have no problem competing in the coming season.

Well done lads – next up… Baldock Cannon!

Steve Wilson, Manager

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