RISELEY SPORTS RESERVES 8 - 3 KINGS AFC

Saturday 23rd September 2006

Line-up: Barras, Fordham, B Whelan, Wilson, Farmer (Scruby), Minty (Richardson), Tomlin, Haywood (c) (Barber), Evans, M Whelan, Morgan

Half time score: 5-2

Goalscorers: Evans, Tomlin (2)

Booked: Evans

After a hugely positive and battling performance against Oakley Sports last week, Kings were looking for the victory that would have put more pressure on Ickwell and Old Warden who are presently sitting ahead of Kings in first place at the top of Division Three.

There were a number of enforced changes to that team however, with Barras slotting in between the sticks for his Kings AFC debut. Then Farmer came in alongside Wilson at the back in place of Crane whilst both full backs were also returning to the side with Fordham and Ben Whelan replacing Brodier and Loosemore respectively.

The midfield and forward line remained the same as last week with Captain Haywood, and Whelan holding the centre of the field, Minty and Tomlin on the wings and Richie Evans upfront just ahead of Lee Morgan.

The game started at a frantic pace, with opportunities on both sides, and neither side really getting to grips with the game and taking control.

First blood however, went to Riseley, as a long ball forward was seized upon by an on rushing attacker who nudged the ball past a stranded Barras and into the empty net. Kings however responded quickly, with a superb pass and quick thinking from Morgan releasing Marcus Tomlin down the left who took on his man and slid the ball under the on rushing keeper for 1-1.

Within minutes though Riseley had their noses back in front; this time with a left winger getting the better of Fordham and thumping the ball past Barras at his near post.

The game continued to see chances for both sides, and great pressure on the defence from Richie Evans resulted in a clearance bouncing off him and into space to tap in the equaliser. 2-2.

Kings played some neat football at times but were also guilty of sloppy defending and not retaining the ball as well as they can. Particularly disappointing as this is what manager Wilson was keen to work on during training last week.

Within the last 10 minutes of the first half however, Riseley made superior shooting tell, as two long distance punts, and one scrambled shot hit the roof of Barras’s net, making the half time score line a slightly flattering 5-2.

A change at half time saw Farmer move into the midfield, to add a bit of bite to the side and Whelan moving out wide as Minty was replaced by Richardson seemed to be bearing fruit. With a number of good looking attacks culminating in shots, but poor finishing and several good saves from the Riseley keeper prevented any come back.

Infact heads went further down when on the counter attack, despite a number of good saves from Barras, the ball squeezed past him for Riseley’s sixth. But without being too downhearted, Kings pressed on not wanting to give in and still made a number of openings for Evans, Tomlin and Haywood. When a further Riseley effort however went in off the unlucky left back Whelan however it really wasn’t going to be Kings’ day.

Tomlin did manage to get himself on the score sheet for a second time to give Kings a glimmer of hope, but the result was confirmed when a penalty miss from manager Wilson summed up Kings day. Hit hard, wide and low, but well saved by their keeper.

Barber and Scruby came on late on to try and add to the contest but in the dieing seconds Kings misery was confirmed with a final Riseley shot creeping under Barras.

Kings will have to do better next week as they play their first ever cup fixture if they don’t want to be dumped out at the first stage.

Kings AFC Press Team

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