KINGS AFC 5 - 1 FLIWICK TOWN RESERVES

League

Saturday 16th February 2008

Kings: Barber (Kirby), Wilson, Loosemore, Dyer, Sansom, Haywood, Sacbuker, Tomlin, Morgan, N.Clements (Minty), J.Clements (Muckle)

Half time score: 1-1

Kings AFC Scorer: N.Clements (3), Tomlin, J.Clements

Yellow Cards: None

MAN OF THE MATCH JOSH CLEMENTS

The loss of new signings Alex Bysouth and Jacques Lokolongo saw the return of Morgan up front with Clements J moving back to the right hand side of midfield and Tomlin reverting to his favoured left wing role.  The continuing injury problems faced by Danny Cain meant he missed out for the third week running; with rumours abound about his long term future in the game.  A rare outing in central defence beckoned for David Sansom with Barber getting the nod in goal after a couple of impressive displays.

On an energy sapping pitch, Flitwick Town Reserves, so impressive against Marabese Ceramics the week before, were to find a Kings side in erratic, yet eventually dominant mood.  Indeed, they would ultimately suffer a similar fate to that of Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi-final.

In the opening moments as Kings’ sought to settle, a slip from Sansom allowed the Flitwick number 9 a glimpse at goal which he dispatched into the Kings onion bag for a surprise one nil lead.  Buoyant from their victory the week before, Flitwick must have sensed another significant scalp but this false dawn only served to expend unnecessary energy, for Kings to eventually pounce upon.

The back four thereafter dominated and played with tremendous character snuffing out Flitwick forays with little difficulty and launching menacing attacks with Clements N their main instrument of torment.  It was he, soon after, who seized onto his brothers pass, surged through despairing defenders only to drive wide. 

As Clements N carved through on another bewildering run the Flitwick manager sensed his beleaguered defence could not hold out for much longer but there was little he could do.

The inevitable goal arrived from the unlikely source of Nathan Clements’ knee after an in swinging Tomlin corner to restore parity.  It was just reward for Kings who had started badly but had nevertheless dictated the pace of the game. 

Tomlin and the turbocharged Josh Clements were whistling up the flanks pinning back the Flitwick full backs with Clements J in particularly imperious form down the right hand side.

As Kings began to work their fluent passing game, Flitwick retreated, defenders and midfielders alike snapping eagerly into their more gifted opponents; and unhappy at his own personal attentions Haywood’s frustrations culminated in him losing his head for a short while after his opponent had crudely stamped on his weakened ankle.  The guilty party was lucky to escape without a booking after this viciously unprovoked attack on a defenceless human being.

Shortly after, a penalty claim from Morgan was turned down from the referee who must have had the sun in his eyes.  The unfortunate Morgan was blatantly chopped down but bravely pulled his socks up, wiped his eyes and continued. He didn’t even moan.

The first half was generally a sterile encounter with Flitwick packing their defence and midfield, while Kings, invited to take the initiative, did so only sporadically.

At 1-1, there it stayed through till half time, though Kings, encouraged by the performance, in particular of Josh Clements, knew the tired and harassed Flitwick rear guard would be there for the taking in the second period.

Stuart Mincemeat, the Kings mentor paid tribute to the Flitwick spirit at half-time but suggested a more attack minded central midfield to complement the all action attacking of Tomlin, Clements, Clements and Morgan.

Kings took immediate control in the second half and scarcely relinquished their iron grip.

Sacbuker played further forward, buoyed by Captain Haywood who took over more defensive responsibility and the second goal soon followed.  Another corner, this time whipped in by Sacbuker was met by the impressive Josh Clements who leapt above his marker to give Kings an early second half lead.

With the ball rarely in the Kings half more goals quickly followed.  Nathan Clements second came from yet another corner, and this time, using Haywood as his shield, he peeled off and powerfully headed home number three.  The fourth and Nathan’s third came from a tremendous passage of play from Sacbuker who shaped to shoot but played a reverse pass, cutting the Flitwick defence in half and into the path of Clements who fired past the onrushing keeper for 4-1.

The fifth and final goal came late on when Haywood floated a free kick goalwards and negligent marking allowed Tomlin a simple, unchallenged head past the unfortunate keeper who had played admirably throughout.

With the referee bringing an end to proceedings Kings had finally found themselves mightily and decisively and thoroughly deserved this 5-1 victory against a hugely improved side.