KINGS AFC 5 - 3 RISELEY SPORTS RESERVES

Saturday 27th October 2007

Kings: Sansom, Milner, Loosemore, Wilson, Cain, Haywood (c), Sacbuker, N.Clements, Morgan (Minty), Tomlin (B.Whelan), M.Whelan (J.Clements)

Half time score: 4-1

Kings AFC Scorers: Haywood, Tomlin, N.Clements hat-trick (3)

Booking: Haywood

MAN OF THE MATCH NATHAN CLEMENTS

Kings AFC vs. Riseley 5-3 by Nathan Clements

Goals set up, sun gleaming and a smell of excitement in the air… or has Loosemore failed to shower… again? All joking apart, Minty was able to select a very strong team with Sansom, Milner, Wilson, Cain and Loosemore making up the back four. Tomlin and Whelan occupying the wings supported by captain Haywood and Sacbuker in the Centre. Morgan and Nathan Clements took their forward roles once again. The bench a very strong one consisting of Josh Clements, Ben Whelan and manager Minty.

With many supporters turning up to watch the mighty Kings, pressure built as kick off loomed. As the ref blew the whistle all pre match nerves were lost and the on pitch battle commenced… literally in some cases!

Kings’ record of conceding early goals, failed to ease off as the Riseley forward stole behind the back four to net and give the visitors an early lead. Not a good omen for Kings, could they be in for a pasting? The simple answer to this is… ooh the suspense… NO!

Kings quickly gathered themselves together, and soon enough, Clements was put through, one-on-one, with the large mouthed, large bellied centre back. Clements used his turn of pace to show the legend of a centre back, a clean set of heels. As the keeper came out, Clements steadied himself and waited for the number one to go down, proceeding to chip the ball over the onrushing custodian for 1-1. A fine goal for Kings.

With their new found confidence Kings pressed on and a free-kick was won on the edge of the Riseley penalty box. Slightly to the right Captain Haywood stepped up to the plate. He took a look at where the wall was placed, lined himself up, spanking a ferocious drive into the roof of the net for 2-1. A fantastic set piece obviously practiced on the training ground…

Not letting up any time soon, Kings continued to attack the Riseley goal, helped by the fact that anything over their own defence was swept up by the alert Sansom. Surely not long until the next breakthrough?

Winning a corner, the Kings cavalry lumbered forward for a Milner delivery. Swung in deep, over the top of everyone except Tomlin, who struck a clean volley which nestled nicely in the back of the net. 3-1 Kings and a very accomplished display all round.

With Whelan tormenting his marker all game, it seemed fitting that the next goal would come from a passage of play from the influential pace-man. Whelan latched onto a Milner pass and burnt his defender down the right… normally in this situation, Whelan would trip over or cross for a goal kick, but his recent work on his final ball paid off, as he crossed straight onto the head of a free Clements, who did the easy part and headed home for 4-1. Half time and a very impressive 45 from Kings.

The second half kicked off and it seemed as though Kings stepped off the throttle a little bit, getting involved in off the ball action which saw a number of bookings, including one for Captain Haywood, who accepted his punishment well, and got on with his game from there on in. Riseley got on top of the game for a short while netting two goals, including a gift from the Kings keeper, who rushed out and missed the ball allowing the Riseley forward to steal in for an easy finish.

Kings rounded the game up soon after when Clements stepped up to a free kick slightly left of centre. Seeing the keepers bad positioning, Clements bent the ball round the wall into the far corner for game set and match. 5-3 Kings and the full time whistle was blown soon enough.

Overall an outstanding team performance.