MELTIS CORINTHIANS 1 - 3 KINGS AFC
Saturday 17th February 2007
See some photos from the game
Line-up: Sansom, Fordham (Cain), Wilson, Loosemore, Crane, Tomlin, M Whelan, Haywood (c), Sacbuker (Phil Hatton), Morgan, Brodier (Minty)
Half time score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Haywood (2), Tomlin
Booked: None
An early spring day provided perfect conditions for this important top-of-mid-table clash. Meltis Corinthians, with an average league record, welcomed Kings AFC for an important game in the battle to compete with the league’s top three. The back five took a familiar stance with Sansom, Loosemore, Crane, Wilson and Fordham looking to forge out a clean sheet. A feat, perhaps, too rarely achieved. Tomlin and Brodier were given wide positions with Sacbuker and Haywood given the responsibility of feeding the front men Whelan and Morgan.
The game started at a good pace with both teams going forward well and creating reasonable chances. Some failed King’s clearances close to goal led to Meltis having the best of the opening exchanges, the goal spared by some wayward finishing. Following the frenetic start it was King’s who settled more promisingly and began to put the opposition goalkeeper under some threat. It was set pieces that cause the most damage, with the first goal coming mid-way through the first half. Another precise and perfectly floated ball from Tomlin led to confusion amongst the Meltis defence and an easy chance for Captain Haywood, which was planted with aplomb into the gaping net.
Meltis continued to stretch the King’s defence at times but well timed tackles and physical strength was enough to see off the possible threat. Michael Whelan, who worked tirelessely up front chasing the loose ball, almost got his reward when put through one on one against the opposition goalkeeper. When it looked odds on for him to easily round the keeper, a snap shot was taken and the ball trickled harmlessly wide for a goal kick. Other chances came and went, including another golden opportunity for Haywood and several headed chances for the well positioned Crane, but none were taken and the one goal lead remained.
Nerves were finally put to rest when Haywood, atoning for his earlier miss, scored his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot to make the cushion that little bit more comfortable. Tomlin was awarded the penalty after some good work down the left flank. After running at the defender he ‘fell over’ and was, somewhat luckily, bestowed the prize he had been seeking. Half time arrived and a lead of two was, on the whole, a fair reflection of the first half.
The second half saw fewer chances as the game tightened up. A three-goal advantage was gained following some excellent work from the man of the match Michael Whelan. After a run and turn Whelan bought a good save from the keeper who could only parry the ball into the feet of the onrushing Tomlin, who smashed the ball in, low and hard, off the post to add to his impressive tally for the season. As is sometimes the case, the three goal buffer bred complacency into the Kings team and after a needless and hurried clearance from Sansom, the ball was swiftly returned to the feet of Meltis’ most dangerous player. From close range he beat his man and slotted coolly into the corner. Substitutes Cain and Hatton came on to deliver the steel and composure they are both renowned for breaking up the play superbly and adding to the movement going forward; one late chance falling on the volley to Hatton who shot fiercely, but just past the corner of post and crossbar. Minty replaced Brodier, who had run faultlessly all game, and he too was able to deliver some telling balls towards the end. At the final whistle every player in the squad had contributed tellingly to the result, a score line that justifiably went in favour of Kings AFC.
Kings AFC Press Team
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