KINGS AFC 4 - 2 SOUTHCOTT VILLAGE RESIDENTS AFC
Saturday 11th November 2006
Line-up: Kirby (Minty), Fordham, Loosemore, Crane, Wilson, Tomlin, Sacbuker, Haywood (c), Morgan (Barber), B Whelan (Cain), Evans
Half time score: 4-0
Goalscorers: Evans (Hat-trick), Tomlin
Booked: Evans
The second round of the Bedfordshire County F.A. Junior Cup and a tie against Dunstable based Southcott Village was the reward for a Kings side after a fine first round victory over Wilshamstead Reserves.
October’s player of the month Dave Sansom was awaiting nappy duty and unavailable while other first teamers Whelan, Milner, Brodier and Clements were absent with other commitments.
Kings prospects were held to be modest given the lack of information circulating about their opponents but they produced an astonishing first half performance to demolish the hapless Southcott Village. The Kings side, led with distinction from the outset by Adam Haywood, controlled the game from the start. Southcott, were horribly outclassed, chased and ran but their fate was all but sealed when the eager Richard Evans, who had been rewarded for his recent endeavours with a starting place, beat the whole back line to a through ball and buried the ball underneath the keeper who had no chance whatsoever. A second quickly followed; Tomlin instinctively and typically coming infield to volley the ball home from 12 yards following a superb and flowing passing move which included good work from Haywood and Evans.
Kings swaggered and were dominant. Sacbuker appeared to be returning to form, creating further chances for Evans and Morgan as well as having a low right foot drive turned narrowly round the post. Morgan fired narrowly over after the keeper had gone walk about and even Matt Fordham was getting in on the act, winding up to strike from distance but having the ball cruelly stolen away by team mate Sacbuker.
Evans, a dynamic presence throughout scored a carbon copy of his first and then completed his hat-trick from 12 yards to put Kings four to the good.
Goalkeeper Paul Kirby, in for his debut was rarely called into action but admirably dealt with every attack that came his way. It was a controlled display that created an air of confidence throughout the team and it was with some regret that he was hauled off injured mid way through the first half with a hamstring injury. With no goalkeeping back up Kings were forced to reshuffle with Haywood taking the gloves and Minestrone Minty coming off the bench and into the central midfield slot vacated by the captain.
The change in personnel did little to dampen Kings persistent pressure. Unable to keep possession or pose a threat Southcott could do little but resist.
Just before half time the young Southcott forward was rather fortunate when his collision with Haywood led to the referee awarding a penalty. The forward composed himself for the impending kick but the imposing figure of Haywood was enough to put him off and he fired high and wide.
One further spell of possession football sent Southcott scurrying to the dressing room in disarray, fearful of a further mauling from their rampant and thrillingly revitalised hosts.
After half time Southcott steadily applied pressure, if not a higher tempo. Remarkably, the Southcott team began to find belief and pressed a Kings side now electing unwisely to defend in fear of the strong prevailing wind. Fifteen minutes into the second half they got their reward following a defensive error from Crane who cleared poorly and straight at the lingering Southcott forward, who coolly tucked the ball past Haywood.
Soon after, they repeated the feat to bring the score to 4-2 and create what could have been another desperately tense finale; the goal came from a quick corner where Kings were slow to react and were hit by a powerful shot from an unmarked midfielder.
However, Kings absorbed and struck back when Tomlin attacked the hapless right back before zipping a shot wide to the keeper’s right. Thereafter a sense of order prevailed and Kings once again began to dominate.
Lee Morgan, who was to be later diagnosed with a broken wrist had played bravely through the pain barrier and must be credited for forming a successful partnership with Richard Evans. He was replaced by Scott Barber who was keen to impress as was Danny Cain who replaced Ben Whelan for his league debut. Morgan claims his injury was caused by a goalkeeping incident the previous week in a 5-a-side meet but sources close to the man himself have suggested it could have been caused by some rather dubious personal wrist action.
The substitutes’ presence had the desired effect and they created numerous chances between them. Barber’s performance, perhaps overshadowed by the impressive Evans, was reminiscent of his older strike partner and his elevation to the senior squad was well justified by this performance. Cain was calm on the ball but rhythmic and dynamic at the same time. Both will now be pressing for a place in the squad in coming weeks.
By the end the score might have made worse reading for the Southcott boys. Kings were unfortunate not to score more but they must keep their feet on the ground given the deficiencies of their opponents on this occasion. The third round brings Kings face to face with Caldecote A who have dispatched Luton Eagles and Stevington FC in the first two rounds. To celebrate victory, Minty, Sacbuker and Evans went off the hook in town where Evans didn’t shut up about scoring a hat-trick and was rather hung over on Sunday but worse still, Minestrone didn’t recover for three days. Sacbuker was fine.
Kings AFC Press Team
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