Watson Shield Round One

KINGS AFC 11 - 2 RISELEY SPORTS

Saturday 9th December 2006

Line-up: Brodier, Fordham, Loosemore, Crane, Wilson, Tomlin, Haywood (c), Milner, M Whelan (Cain), Morgan (Sacbuker), Clements (Huntley)

Half time score: 4-1

Special guest Referee: Stuart Minty

Goalscorers: Clements (4, 1 pen) Haywood (2), Morgan, Tomlin, Milner, Huntley, Cain

Booked: None

Quality performance lads - wanted to offer up each one of you for special praise. Everyone one of you deserves recognition. Well done.

With pretty much a full squad of players to choose from manager Wilson was able to pick arguably the strongest team that Kings have fielded this season. The only down side was that Dave Sansom was unavailable so Broooodier filled-in in goal. The opposition was Riseley Sports Reserves who had previously thumped Kings in the league 8-3. However, as you know, anything can happen in the cup and Kings were pumped up for what promised to be a great tie.

With the sturdy pair of Wilson and Crane holding the back four together and the great midfield partnership of Haywood and Milner, Kings were looking to quickly break down any threats from Riseley. And upfront Clements was ready as ever to add to his already impressive goal tally.

The match got underway and Kings took control, an interception, a few quick passes and an excellent through ball saw Clements race away to score the first of what was to be many goals for both him and the team.

Riseley were not going to roll over and they had a few breaks down the kings’ right wing however the superb Matt Fordham was always on hand to mop up at the back and to put in a few high quality tackles when necessary. Morgan slotted the ball home after getting on the end of an excellent cross however the players are still undecided as to which part of his body the ball actually came off. The only joy Riseley got was a quick break down the opposite side of the pitch and the winger cut into the box and slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper. Kings continued to apply pressure and were rewarded by going into half time 4-1 up. Not without keeper Brodier making some important saves and getting injured for the cause.

The second half needed to be of the same high quality to stop any chances of Risely mounting a come-back and with the sun in their eyes kings knew they could not take their foot of the gas. With Whelan bursting down the right and terrorising the defenders he was chopped down in the box and the ref had no choice but to give a penalty. Clements already on 2 goals was desperate to get his hat-trick and pinched the ball off Haywood and slotted it home. The goals kept coming with Milner firing in a scorching shot from 25-yards on his left peg and Haywood adding to his tally for the season.

Riseley managed to briefly override the Kings pressure with a free kick into the top corner however the second half sub, Tendai Huntley, on for his debut, shot direct from Morgan’s kick off and lobbed the keeper from the half way line to score what is surely up there as a goal of the season candidate.

Tomlin worked tirelessly down the left side and was unlucky to only be able to add one goal to his tally this season. The ‘rock’ Loosemore completed his defensive roles admirably and even managed a few foraging runs down the wing, putting in some excellent crosses and adding to the pressure on the Riseley goal. Cain, with only a handful of appearances up to this point gave the manager a pleasant headache with an impressive display and a good goal. Wilson and Crane had an excellent afternoon, breaking down any balls that were fed through and impressing with their aerial prowess when the ball was played over the top. Crane was calling and heading the ball away well whereas Wilson was looking more like a midfielder on occasions with some quality interceptions and bursts forward, turning defence in to attack, resulting in goals being scored.

A quality performance all round boys, the best team performance of the season and that should give us loads of confidence for the next round of the cup. Well done.

Kings AFC Press Team

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