FLITWICK TOWN RES 1 - 4 KINGS AFC

Wednesday 11th April 2007

Line-up: Kirby, Brodier, Cain, Crane, Sansom, Paul Hatton (Haywood), Sacbuker, Tomlin (Barber), M Whelan, Morgan (Minty), N Clements

Half time score: 1-2

Kings Goalscorers: Clements (2), Whelan, Barber

Booked: None

What does every man wish to do on a Wednesday evening? That question, of course, is rhetorical. It goes without saying that every male on this planet wishes to play for Kings AFC. However only 14 lucky men were picked for such an honour… Wilson failed to text the likes of Zidane, Beckham and Henry… not because he forgot, not because they’re injured or suspended, but because he simply did not have their mobile numbers!

Kirby won back his place between the sticks and a solid back four, missing the influential Wilson, consisted of Brodier, Cain, Crane and the child punching rock - Sansom! The midfield, so talented that club Captain Haywood was left to wander up and down the touchline kicking his heels, kept company by the ever improving Barber and the reliable Minty. Sacbuker and Paul Hatton took their places in the centre of the midfield, accompanied by no tonsil Tomlin and the flying Dutchman, Whelan! Clements and Morgan looked to increase on their ever growing goal tally as they embraced their forward roles!

Flitwick’s team sheet looked oddly different to the one they had at their disposal months ago, with scandalous rumours claiming that they had in fact managed to acquire some of their first team players. This seemed obvious after 15 minutes when the opposition number 9 cracked in a volley from 20 yards out that flew in the top corner before Kirby could stretch up to reach it.” Were Kings about to receive the beating of their lives?

Clements and Hatton both crossed for one another to head close and these were signs that Kings were still in the game, and were by no means about to roll over for their supposedly better counterparts! After Kirby had punched crosses and come off his line well on a number of occasions, the ball was spread wide for the whippet-like-Whelan, who cut inside and spotted Clements’ run between the two centre halves. Whelan proceeded to deftly slide in Clements who faked a shot and cut inside, as the big boisterous bald centre back slid past him crying “you’ve made me look like a mug.” Clements saw that the keeper had bought his faked shot and left him an open goal to level the score at 1-1. Take nothing away from Whelan who was instrumental in creating this opening… nothing short of inspirational from the lad who doesn’t know which country he is from!

Things got better for Kings in the next few minutes. Morgan showed a piece of skill that he has dreamt about since the age of 12 as he audaciously nutmegged the right back with a back heel, which Clements sprinted onto. Realising that the right back was a little short of pace, Clements stretched his legs, cut inside and rolled the ball across goal on a plate for the foraging Whelan, to slide home for 2-1. Half Time.

The first half was a real credit to the Kings team, who dug deep. Performances of particular note came from the back five, who defended as unit and kept the star studded Flitwick attack at an arm’s length. Hatton and Sacbuker were running the midfield, and everything that Kings had to offer was filtered through them!

As Kings took on some well deserved refreshments at half-time, Wilson gave a team talk in which he encouraged the side and persuaded them to keep digging in and doing what they were already doing fantastically. With substitutions such as the ones available to the side, each player knew that he could not afford to let his performance drop. Going downhill in the second half was certain to help Kings in their pursuit of three points.

The second half started in much the same fashion, with Kings dominating proceedings. This all stemming from the dominant display from the two centrebacks who were water-tight, letting not a drip past them. Before too long, Wilson took off the energetic Hatton, who was struggling with blisters and replaced him with the influential Haywood, who got stuck in instantly, showing what he could do with and without possession. It was Haywood’s first game as a married man, after returning from his honeymoon in Africa.

The next action of note was possibly the biggest moment of the match. In came a Flitwick cross which was headed toward the top corner. With the centre forward spinning off in celebration, such was the confidence he had, when Kirby flew across the goal to make an incredible, gravity defying save. The look of horror on the strikers face was more of a picture than Morgan being presented with a Large Stuffed Crust Pizza for free, and having it taken away within seconds… Had this have gone in then the match surely would have been in the balance. Thanks to this save, Kings still had a one goal lead, and Flitwick knew it was going to take something special to beat the phenomenal custodian.

After defending stoutly for a few minutes, Wilson made a substitution that initially raised a few eyebrows, bringing of the tonsil-less one and Morgan, and replacing them with Barber and Minty. Instantly this change paid dividends as Clements played in the part-Italian Whelan who drilled in a cross that eluded everyone except for the flying Barber who leapt like a Magners bottle out of the water and nodded home for 3-1 with his first touch. The celebrations from the side of the pitch spilt over onto the field as Barber was smothered by a host of bodies, such was the excitement that this invaluable goal brought!

After a couple of well carved chances for Minty, Kings were 4-1 up thanks to great work from the tireless Brodier. The right back continued to sprint up and down the wing all match and this time he cut inside. Spotting Clements on the shoulder of the last man, Brodier chipped a cute little pass into the number 9’s path who steadied himself and proceeded to lob the oncoming keeper for 4-1. It seemed at this point that there was little hope for a Flitwick fight back, but not for want of trying as they continued to press forward in search of a consolation. Kings proved too solid, however, and held on for an important victory

Overall a fantastic team effort from Kings, most probably the best so far of a successful first season. It must be noted that the league position of Flitwick is somewhat misleading and they have been in dynamic form of late!

Kings AFC Press Team

Close this window