KINGS AFC 3 - 2 WILSHAMSTEAD RESERVES

Bedforshire Junior Challenge Trophy

Saturday 30th September 2006

Line-up: Brodier, Farmer, Loosemore, Wilson, Crane, Tomlin, Evans (Minty), Haywood (c), Morgan, Sacbuker (Barber), Clements (Phil Hatton)

Half time score: 2-0

Goalscorers: Clements (2), Tomlin

Booked: None

Last Saturday saw a strong overall performance against Wilstead Reserves in Kings AFC’s first ever cup fixture, the first round of the Bedfordshire Youth Challenge Trophy. With Brodier returning between the sticks and Crane reinstated alongside Wilson in the backline, the defence also saw Farmer which to right full back in the absence of Fordham and Loosemore return to left back in place of Ben Whelan.

There were more changes in the side elsewhere as Evans moved back to the right of midfield as Nathan Clements, the clubs top scorer came back into the front line. Allen Sacbuker slotted into the midfield alongside Haywood for his Kings debut and Morgan and Tomlin made up the remainder of the side in their usual positions.

Passing was much improved from the Riseley game and the first goal came early on, Wilson stepped out of the defence smoothly but was crudely flattened by an opposition defender as he was attempting a through ball and the resulting free kick led to Kings opener scored by Nathan Clements. Crane’s free kick found Morgan who played a delightful through ball for Tomlin who unselfishly teed up Clements. Kings were dominating the half and were becoming increasing dangerous going forward with particular mention to Adam Haywood winning everything in the middle and obviously helped by the returning presence of Scholes.

Chances were starting to come thick and fast with Morgan having a header cleared off the line, Tomlin hitting a post from an acute angle and both Clements and Haywood creating chances between them and Kings could and really should have killed the game off early, with Brodier rarely called into action.

With Nat king Scholes back in centre midfield, Kings were beginning to flow and some good passing between the defence and midfield created some excellent openings. Clements more than once took on the defence and tested the keeper. Indeed Kings second goal saw Clements go one on one with the Wilstead keeper and slot the ball home.

After a mammoth amount of rain and thunderstorm conditions the second half saw the opposition come back to life and score two quick goals in the slippy conditions, the second a very dubious "offside" decision not made by the Referees Assistant.

Wilson and Crane had marshalled the defence well between them allowing Farmer and Loosemore to link up well with Evans and Tomlin. Both the wingers had vastly improved their passing game this week and this was noticed by the management team.

With time ticking away, and Kings somehow now on level terms, we won a free kick nearly 40 yards out. With Scholes and Haywood standing over the ball, both teams watched with awe as Captain Haywood unleashed an absolute stormer that bent, swerved and unluckily came off the inside of the post. Seconds later Scholes squared unselfishly for another opportunity that went narrowly wide and Phil Hatton hit the post from an acute angle.

With Evans and Clements now off having been replaced by Minty and Phil Hatton Kings were looking for a cutting edge up front, which was provided when in the final minutes Wilson again confidentially brought the ball out of the defence and traded passes with Morgan who sent a through ball to Tomlin who finished first time to send Kings 3 - 2 up and win the fixture to their fans delight.

Overall an 8/10 team performance. Passing was so much improved and congratulations must go to the management working on this during training as it obviously had a positive effect on the team!

Kings will face Southcott Village Residents AFC in the next round, an unknown quantity.

Kings AFC Press Team

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