SHILLINGTON AFC 0 - 3 KINGS AFC

Watson Shield

Saturday 9th February 2008

Kings: Barber, Wilson, Loosemore, Dyer, Milner, Haywood, Sacbuker (Minty), Tomlin, Lokolongo (Bysouth) N.Clements, J.Clements (Morgan)

Half time score: 0-0

Kings AFC Scorer: N.Clements (2), Morgan

Yellow Cards: J.Clements

MAN OF THE MATCH BARBER

A Kings Match Report is not a blast from the past, it’s still a well known and eagerly anticipated product of the Website, and the game against Shillington provided the squad a chance to get an excellent asset up and running again.

The team consisted of Barber in Goal. Loosemore and Wilson took up their full back roles, with Milner and Dyer forming the rock in the centre of defence, yet again. In midfield Captain Haywood and Sacbuker sat in the centre. On the flanks new boy Lokolonga, and ever-present Tomlin, looked to drive fear into the eyes of defenders.  Up top, the Clements brothers linked up for a rare start together. A strong bench was formed by Manager Minty, Morgan and tax dodger Bysouth.

The game set off to a quick start with Clements being set through by a long ball over the top only to fire his volley inches over the bar. Not too long after Josh flicked another ball through for the onrushing Clements who passed the ball past the keeper for 1-0... Or was it? Unfortunately in the build up Clements managed to scratch the Centre back in the eye in an attempt to get to the ball and the ref disallowed the goal and the game was set back at 0-0.

For the majority of the time Kings attacked with little success with attempts limited to shots from distance. One shot of note came from Lokolonga who hit an outstanding pile driver which was tipped over the bar by the balding custodian. Haywood and Skolo looked to boss the game from midfield, winning the physical battle with relative ease. The first half ended at a meagre 0-0... Could this be Kings’ second 0-0 draw in a row?

The word from half time came from the Mint, who told his team to keep plugging away, and particular instructions to get out wider went to Tomlin and Lokolonga. As the second half got under way the two wingers did as they were asked and play was stretched as Mint wanted it to be. Lokolonga hitting a couple of neat passes and running at defenders with increasing confidence and verve.

On the attack Kings won a corner. Tomlin trotted over to deliver it. Standing ‘Beckham-esque’ Tomlin looked in the centre to see where his big target men were... the likes of Haywood, Jeff and Sylvain standing at around 6’2 were obvious options! Whipping in a dangerous ball to the centre of the box it was the more slight frame of Clements that leapt high to power his header towards the top corner for 1-0, despite the feeble attempts of the centre back to save with his right hand.

After this Kings looked to have more confidence in themselves and their play demonstrated this. With Kings bringing off Lokolonga and Josh and replacing them with Bysouth and Morgan, the boys in  white had new options. Instantly Bysouth looked lively and likely to  make an impact, playing a tidy ball into the feet of Clements, who’s touch let him down to spoil the attack.

Bysouth again got forward and unleashed a fierce drive at goal that was certain to hit the target had it not struck Clements on the back to fly inches over... Winning a corner shortly after this Tomlin delivered another telling cross that Clements met again – this time at the back post, to head from a narrow angle into the back of the net for 2-0.

Shortly after, the Shillington keeper spilled a Clements cross under the intense pressure of Morgan baring down on him, for the poacher to poke home from 3 yards for 3-0 and game set and match.

Overall a solid performance from Kings who ground out a decent result against a good defensive outfit.