KINGS AFC 8 - 2 STEWARTBY VILLAGE

Sunday 5th August 2007

Line-up: Dyer, Boland (Wilson), Matt Tomlin, Cain, Gray (Muckle), Icky, Sacbuker (c), Morgan, Minty, Marcus Tomlin, Barber

Half time score: 4-0

Kings AFC Scorers: Morgan (2), Tomlin (3), Icky, Cain, Dyer

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS TOMLIN

The dawn of a new era….

The game had already been hit with a number of players missing, with Minty calling up a number of new recruits to the Kings team.

Minty laid out a 4 - 4 - 2 formation with the players available. The conditions were hot, but Kings Players began the game solidly, not letting the opposition have any real chances. Sacbuker, captain for the day, rallied the troops into a disciplined opening giving the new lads time to fit into the squad.

The first goal came, when Morgan picked a loose ball about 25 yards out and chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper. A deserved lead with good vision from Morgan and hard battling from Barber to create the opening.

Icky was getting more into the game and played some slick 1 – 2’s with Marcus and Sacbuker. Danny Cain and Matt Tomlin were marshalling the young inexperienced back four with young Daniel making some superb forward balls.

The second goal came after Sacbuker and Minty picked the ball up into midfield and laid off to Icky, who sent a through ball to Morgan who flicked it past the last defender and lashed the ball home. 2 – 0.

Kings continued to press forward and Dan (LB) sent a great ball to Sacbuker who in turn sent Marcus through for a 1 on 1. Marcus unselfishly laid the ball off to the hard working Barber who unfortunately had his shot saved on the line.

Another King’s attack saw Tomlin take a long throw and the increasingly impressive Icky managed to get his head onto the ball and his effort ended up in the back of the net after bouncing over the keeper! 3 - 0

Kings continued the attack with Minty setting up Barber who hit a low curler from about 18 yards that agonisingly hit the inside of the post and bounced behind the keeper  before the chance went missing. By this stage Marcus was starting to up his game and a great cross from his brother in the right back position saw Marcus score a superb left footed volley from about 12 yards. A superb goal to leave Stewartby trailing 4 – 0.

Further chances followed with Sacbuker trying an effort from 45 yards going well wide, Marcus getting tackled just before releasing the trigger and Barber unlucky with an effort just before the half time break.

The Second half saw the introduction of experienced Steve Wilson at Centre back for Boland. Jeff came out of Goal to add his presence to the forward line, barber moved to the right of the midfield, Tomlin Senior went in goal and Icky dropped to right back.

We were going downhill this half, but surprisingly Stewartby came out the traps faster than kings, who were still getting used to the change of personnel. Their right winger curled a great cross that Matt couldn’t deal with and their striker tapped in from close range for 4 –1

Wilson & Cain developed their understanding and quickly dealt with further attacks from Stewartby with confidence. Both bringing the ball out of the defence well and began setting up attacks for the kings team. The impressive Dan at LB was beginning to find his feet again and won a corner with the aid of Marcus. Barber took the corner and the colossus Jeff stroked the ball home through approximately 7 players legs to make the score 5 - 1

Stewartby were beginning to mould into a stronger force and began a series of attacks on Kings. Sacbuker went off with blisters leading to a reorganisation of defence, Icky went into midfield and Matt came back on at right back.

Stewartby then scored a 2nd goal with the stocky forward getting a march on3 Kings players, who fail to get a foot in before placing a shot past the keeper for a second. 5 – 2 and Stewartby are starting to think they might get into the game.

Marcus then scored his second goal of the game, a cool left footed finish from a nice through ball and again showing that Kings in complete control. 6 - 2

The seventh goal also came from a corner, this time Marcus sending a superb cross that the keeper unfortunately couldn’t control and the quality Cain sending a bullet header into the back of the net. 7 – 2

There was also a fleeting appearance for young left back Kieran Muckle to make his Kings debut, before he was removed with a slight knock.

Marcus completed his hat trick with a similar goal to his first two with a left foot volley, but this one being closer to the goal. Morgan picked the ball up on the right hand side and sent a through ball down the right wing, which Barber sent a super cross for Marcus to score. Marcus had played superbly and his hat trick underlined his importance to the upcoming season. 8 – 2

Kings continued on the attack with Morgan getting tackled in the penalty area in the last few minutes and the energetic Wilson getting into the oppositions penalty area to be hacked down!

A well deserved victory for the Kings lads, lots of goals and good signs for the new season.

By Lee Morgan