HENLOW RESERVES 4 - 1 KINGS AFC

Saturday 3rd March 2007

Line-up: Kirby, Fordham, Wilson, B Whelan (Richardson), Cain, Tomlin, M Whelan, Sacbuker, Haywood (c), Minty (Barber), Morgan (Ali)

Half time score: 2-1

Goalscorer: M Whelan

Booked: None

A big game for both teams who both needed a win if they have any chance of one of the top places this season, Wilson was forced into making a number of selection changes, giving starting opportunities to Minty, Sacbuker, Cain, Kirby and Ben Whelan as well as seeing the return of Richardson and Nigel Ali on the bench.

Just like a number of other matches this season it took kings 20 minutes to get into the game. Within 2 minutes Kings found themselves behind with a header from a Henlow forward coming from their first corner of the game. It was an angled header which squeezed past the man on the post and Paul Kirby in the Kings goal.

Cain was putting in some decent challenges, but the defence’s task seemed so difficult with forwards and midfielders charging at them with pace and conviction. With Danny pushing out wide Henlow played the ball into the middle and another well worked goal saw them go 2 -0 up with only 10 minutes played. Some of the King’s heads went down as they knew it would take something special to get back into the game.

Seeing that the formation wasn’t having its desired effect Wilson was quick to act and moved back to the 4-4-2 formation with Morgan playing slightly deeper, Minty moved further out wide and Whelan put up front.  The passing in the centre seemed to improve and Kings started to compete in the game. Starting to make chances with good balls to Tomlin and Kewell who had little runs at the Henlow defenders. The next goal came after great battling in the middle of the park from Scholes and Tomlin, with the former releasing a stunning through ball to Whelan, who, with great pace, took on the defender and also the keeper to place the ball calmly into the back of the open net.

Kings still knew they had to raise their as chances were still coming thick and fast at their own end. A good move down the left then released Tomlin who beat his marker and placed the ball across the face of the goal to have Whelan slide in and just miss the ball. It could have brought Kings level just before the half time whistle.

The second half kicked off and kings were still very strong with good passing and movement off the ball. Looking for their 2nd of the match. It wasn’t long till another goal came but sadly for Kings it wasn’t the equaliser it was a 3rd for Henlow, they had come out determined not to let the lead slip and a ball played down the left wing again allowed them to swing the cross in, and just as it looked like the keeper had it he slipped in his goal, a goal mouth scramble allowed Henlow to go 3 - 1 up. Kings brought on their subs hoping that fresh legs could help them, but Henlow pushed for a 4th to seal the game, and in doing so they got the goal they needed, another great play from Henlow set them up to win the game for sure 4 - 1 and kings knew they were down and out.

With Whelan still causing trouble up front Kings looked like they could have got a goal back but even with his pace and skill kings still couldn’t find another goal. However they did win another free kick and Tomlin stepped up to take it only just putting it wide. Kings looked like they were in the changing rooms the last 10 minutes as Henlow were pushing for a 5th, but in doing so a Henlow player kicked out after a Gary Richardson blocked his run, a stupid move from the Henlow player as the next thing he saw was a red card, this happened too late in the game for kings to take advantage and with a few supporters watching from the kings side you could see that they were disappointed with the performance, 4 - 1 it ended then and nothing they can take away with them as the kings know they will have to play better against the bigger clubs. Everyone looked disappointed, but like is often made very difficult with so many changes to the side due to so many people being away.

Kings AFC Press Team

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