MARSH LEYS 1 - 2 KINGS AFC

Saturday 10th March 2007

Line-up: Sansom, Brodier, Cain, Crane, Loosemore, Tomlin, Haywood (c), Minty (Clements), Barber (Dwight), Evans (Ali), Huntley

Half time score: 0-2

Kings Goalscorers: Haywood (pen), Barber

Booked: None

See the photos from the game - click here

A much changed line up was to take on Marsh Leys over in Kempston for Kings last game in March. Injury and illness ruling out a number of important Kings Players providing opportunities in the starting eleven for Minty, Barber, Huntley and the returning Evans who slotted into the right side of the midfield.

Almost ever presents Morgan, Fordham and Sacbuker were all missing. Then manager Wilson, in particular, was devastated to miss his first game of the season, out with a nasty knee injury inflicted in training by a wild Barber challenge. Thankfully the break after this fixture should mean he is able to return before the next game against table toppers Ickwell & Old Warden.

Kings started brightly, with a lot of pace and drive. Evans throwing himself into tackles like he’d never been away and Huntley and Tomlin in particular trying to release Scotty B up front at every opportunity.

As the forwards pressed, there were a number of goalscoring opportunities but Kings first goal came when a push on Richie resulted in the referee pointing to the spot, from the half way line. Haywood despatched the spot kick to score his final goal as a bachelor as he is due to marry finance Connie before Kings next fixture. He and Minty were doing well in the centre without letting their opposite numbers get a look in.

Kings continued to press, with Huntley, Tomlin and Barber letting half chances pass them by, before it was that trio who set up Barberino to finish from close range and score his second Kings goal of the season. This boy really has come on leaps and bounds since he started playing for the Kings.

At 2-0 up Kings were cruising and creating chances at will, Brodier hit a spectacular drive from distance which was tipped away by the elderly Leys keeper and Tomlin was doing his best to keep himself off the score sheet despite numerous opportunities.

The second half, started with everyone in positive moods, but Kings lost their grip on the game all too easily with some heavy challenges flying in, which the referee seemed to be somewhat oblivious too. Marsh Leys started to gain an upper hand in the centre of the park and dominate possession without really troubling Sansom’s goal.  From the sideline Wilson decided to make a change and a tiring Minty made way for the lively Clements, who was a very late addition to the squad having bust a gut to be available after finishing his important work over at Pizza Hut.

Marsh Leys were allowed further into the game scoring direct from a free-kick, which squeezed past Sansom’s outstretched arm and into the bottom right corner of the net. It was made even worse by the fact that Crane was stood in the hole that the ball went through before being moved by the keepers better judgement – I'm not sure he’ll live that one down with Craney!

In a further effort to gain control of the game, two players who have seen little time in a Kings shirt this season stepped into the fray. Ali replaced Evans who by this point was struggling with an injury and then Dwight came on for Barber but slotted into the centre of defence with Cain stepping into midfield and Clements moving up alongside Tendai. This seemed to have the desired effect with Kings controlling more of the ball and making one or two more opportunities. Clements putting huge pressure on the Leys defence as usual with his powerful running, and Tomlin again missing chances to put Kings further ahead.

By this point though tempers were flaring in the centre and a number of ongoing clashes between Marsh Leys and Kings midfield duo Cain and Haywood threatened to get out of control.

One or two neat touches from Nige and a solid performance from Dan at the back ensured the new boys took positives from the outing but it was Crane who came away with the man of the match award for his dominant display at the back, where his aerial prowess in particular kept Marsh Leys at bay during the second half.

A decent enough final score line against a team who were in form coming into this game, but not quite at the level of their previous game where  Kings came out 8-1 victors.

Kings AFC Press Team

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