KINGS AFC 7 - 1 FLITWICK RESERVES
Saturday 2nd December 2006
Line-up: Brodier, Fordham, Loosemore, Crane, Wilson, Tomlin, Haywood (c), Sacbuker (Cain), Evans (Barber), Morgan, Clements (M Whelan)
Half time score: 4-1
Special guest Referee: Stuart Minty
Goalscorers: Haywood (4, 2 pens), Morgan, Barber, Tomlin
Booked: None
After two successive defeats to strong opposition Kings were desperate to get their season back on track with a much needed win against the league’s bottom club, Flitwick Town Reserves.
Wilson fielded a strong line-up with a number of key players coming back into contention. Brodier slotted into the goal with Sansom still enjoying the pleasures of Fatherhood. The back four had a steady look about it with Fordham and Loosemore operating on the flanks with Crane and Wilson in the centre.
Sacbuker, as asked to hold in the centre of midfield alongside Captain Adam Haywood, with Evans and Tomlin giving the side attacking width, then Lee Morgan took his place alongside the returning goal machine Nathan Clements, who was keen to add to his season’s tally.
Another, Kings AFC player also took to the field – but not wearing the white kit. Stuart Minty was a last minute call-up to officiate the game in the absence of a league referee.
Despite the strong side, Kings took what felt like an age to get going, and muddy and bobbly pitch contributed to some silly mistakes and sloppy passing throughout the side. This passage of play was also very difficult for the Kings back four because of the terribly bright and low sun which was making clearances and seeing the ball extremely difficult.
Infact bottom club Flitwick went ahead after a long ball got caught in the air and fooled the Kings defence as an on rushing striker burst through to poke the ball past Brodier in goal.
The question Wilson will be asking of himself and his staff is why it seems so common for the team to have to go behind before they get themselves into gear? But thankfully, get themselves into gear they did and they started playing the sort of football that they know that they can.
Tomlin began to see more of the ball down the flanks, and causing problems, which in turn created more half chances for the Kings forwards. It wasn’t long before Haywood, playing in front of his watching fiancé Connie made the score level latching onto a neat Morgan pass.
Kings began to get a grip of the game, with Wilson and Fordham in particular looking strong when stepping forward from the back line.
The second goal came shortly after with Haywood smashing a firm right foot shot into the roof of the net from 10 yards, after Flitwick had failed to clear a corner.
It wasn’t all good news for Kings though; as Clements had a big clash of heads with one of the Flitwick defenders whilst jumping for an Evans cross. He was soon taken off, with dizziness, and could be a doubt for next week’s fixture.
Morgan then scored his fourth of the season poking in with a foot-cum-knee shot from a cross from the right. That goal put Kings firmly in control. Crane then nearly added a fourth to the King’s score sheet prodding the ball toward the net after a scramble ensued from a Tomlin corner kick.
Mike Whelan, on for the injured Clements didn’t take long to get into the action, bursting down the right flank with tremendous pace and then taken out by their full-back to give Haywood the chance to complete a first half hat-trick. Which he did with great calmness, slotting in to the right of the keeper.
It was therefore all smiles at half time with the first 15 minutes of play thankfully forgotten.
Scott Barber came on within the first five minutes of the second half, replacing Richie Evans who went off with a suspected broken toe. It was a master stroke of Wilson’s to put Barber straight upfront when with his first opportunity and touch of the game he went one on one with the Flitwick keeper and calmly placed the ball past the custodian. The crowd and players went wild as this Kings favourite got his first goal for the club. Infact he could have had a second later on in the game when an almost replica opportunity was this time smothered by the keeper.
Mark Loosemore was having an awesome second half, relishing the space that the tired legs of Flitwick were now leaving all over the pitch. His energy down the flank created numerous opportunities, and Wilson will be encouraging him in future weeks to show this attacking flair again.
Matt Fordham also had an excellent half, stepping out of defence well and remaining solid at the back, which infact led him to be named man of the match. The 37 year old definitely has a few years in him yet after this performance!
Brodier, despite having very little to do, kept his concentration to prevent a Flitwick forward scoring a one on one opportunity with ten minutes to go.
A further substitute, Danny Cain, who came on for Sacbuker in the centre of the field was also having a wail of a time, with plenty of space and time for him to thread through balls onto Kewell, Morgan and Barber.
Kings were bombarding the Flitwick goal, with shot after shot, and it was only the goalkeepers fine exploits and some off target finishing which prevented the score line hitting double figures.
Kewell, obviously trying to prove a point having been left out of the starting lineup was in fine form, smashing a pile driver against the woodwork and then quickly winning another penalty after another clear takedown in the box. Haywood stepped up to score his fourth of the game.
As the game drew to a close, it was Marcus Tomlin who stepped forward to complete the rout, scoring a delightful goal to put Kings 7-1 to the good.
It was a nice result, and a refreshing performance. Let’s hope that Kings can carry that form on and into the Watson shield match against Riseley Sports next weekend.
My final thoughts would be that Minty had an excellent game as the referee – infact, I’d go as far as saying he was the best ref we have had all season! Cheers Minty.
Also – Connie…. PLEASE COME AGAIN!
Kings AFC Press Team
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