X KINGS AFC 0 - 6 BALDOCK CANNON O

Saturday 19th August 2006

To see the score click and drag between the X and O above

Line-up: King (Barras), Ben Whelan (Minty), Fordham, Wilson, Crane, Haywood (c), Phil Hatton (Evans), Tomlin (Barber), Mike Whelan (Mazinga), Clements, Morgan (Rimmel)

Half time score: 0-3

Sent off: Clements

What is a friendly pre-season match for?

What are the main objectives? Fitness? Learning about the players and your team mates? Getting used to the conditions of a new pitch? Getting inconsistent performances out the way? Testing yourselves against quality opposition.

If any of the above is true then we can draw positives from this slightly disappointing performance.

The side we were playing was probably the strongest we will meet this year, having won their league last season (which incidentally is a higher level then ours) with 21 wins from 22 games, by 12 clear points AND a goal difference of +64.

In truth I don’t believe that the final score line was a fair reflection on a game which we competed well in during the first half despite having a strong wind against us. And then, were the stronger side in the first 20 minutes of the second half before Nathan got himself sent off for a two footed challenge, which in some cases due to the fact that there was minimal contact and it was a friendly game would have been more lenient.

The game saw five Kings AFC debutants and a number of changes in formation due to injury, substitutions and the loss of a man for the second time in two games.

Either way, there were still lessons leant about how we play as a side. There were one or two good showings particularly from experienced full-back Matty Fordham and the two goalkeepers, but overall it has to be said that it was a below-par performance.

No excuses – they were the better team and deserved to win – but heads up. The important stuff starts from here on in.

What it does do is give everyone a kick up the backside before we play our first proper game of the season next Saturday.

Come on Kings

Steve Wilson, Manager

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