RISELEY SPORTS RES 2 - 3 KINGS AFC

League Fixture

Saturday 29th March 2008

Kings: Kirby, Pouncey, Greene, Wilson, Dyer, Tomlin, Sacbuker, Haywood (Barber), Brodier, Morgan, J Clements

Half time score: 2-1

Kings AFC Scorers: J Clements, Morgan, Tomlin

Yellow Cards: J Clements, Tomlin

MAN OF THE MATCH LEE MORGAN

Starting formation and lineup:

Kings Afc came into this one knowing that this game could determine how their season will look at the end of it, a win would keep them chasing for pole position where a loss could see them sitting in second place for the rest of the season. With a number of key players missing from the side in today’s fixture no Danny Cain, Mark Loosemore, Mike Whelan and of course goal crazy Nathan Clements the Kings formation lined up with Kirby returning in goal, the back four changed from the previous week with two old faces Chris Greene playing at left back Dyer and Wilson in the centre and Steve Pouncey at right back. The midfield Tomlin on the left Skolo and Haywood in the centre of the park and another old face Broooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodier as some people like to call him on the right, the two strikers unchanged Morgan and Josh, with Barber on the bench. Still with many players missing the Kings have put out a strong team.

 The game began with Riseley kick off straight away the pressure was on from kings as all they could do was to hoof the ball forward and out for a kings goal kick. With both teams putting pressure on straight away there was many attacks but none that looked to threatening. The first came goal from great play through the middle Haywood releasing the ball to Morgan who held it up very well, a sharp turn from Morgan allowed him to release a through ball to Clements who like every week struck the ball with venom past the Riseley keeper into the bottom corner. A well deserved goal for kings, so 1 – 0 to kings and as the game progressed old faces Chris, Pouncey and Brodier seemed to be finding there feet back into the football world Chris making great runs down the left flank causing problems for the Riseley defence, Steve Pouncey was looking strong making critical tackles and winning the ball in the air. Brodier was also looking dangerous on the ball with great runs down the right putting some nice balls through to the strikers.

The kings defence was looking strong not letting much past them and with Jeff calling the line the Riseley strikers were getting caught off side all the time. It was half way through the first half when the next real chance came Clements running past the last defender only to be brought down in the box, a penalty was given and captain Haywood stepped up to take it, surely a goal now would put doubts into the Riseleys heads. The whistle blew and the captain struck the ball completely wrong footing the keeper but the luck was in the keepers favour as yes he MISSED hitting the post and going all the way to the corner flag just like last weeks shot by the captain it was closer to the flag then it was the goal, maybe the bush on his head got in his eyes or maybe the fact he just cant take penalty’s who knows why he missed but it had seemed to have shaken the Riseley team up. Looking more up for it Riseley went on to have numerous chances and with not closing them down quick enough there first goal came with an outside of the box shot curled over Kirby and into the top corner, 1 -1 and kings started to look a bit sloppy the midfield getting beaten to the second balls and not closing down the players Riseley were looking the better team, the next goal came with Josh taking a player down in the centre circle and from that free kick a lofted ball into the area not knowing where the ball was it came of a Riseleys players back and into the net 2-1 and kings were now looking to keep it that until half time. The whistle blew and now came one of the greatest team talks of kings history. Manager Minty was giving each player a kick up the ass and a few stern words were used but it was just what the players needed.

The second and right from the kick Riseley were on the back foot with kings putting a lot of pressure on the midfield looking strong with great passing from the two in the centre and Tomlin making some good runs down the left and through the middle setting a lot of chances up. Now with Brodier getting more into the game he started of making a lot of chances for himself having a number of great shots only to be saved by the keeper. Morgan and Clements now looking like the best strike partnership in the country Morgan holding the ball up really well and making great passes to the wingers and playing Josh through, he also made some great runs himself only to have his shots saved. Riseley were having the occasional break a ways but nothing to great as the defence were much stronger, Jeff winning everything in the air with Wilson clearing up everything else, it didn’t seem like Riseley would get past them.

Now with the game getting closer to the end kings created more and more great chances with a through ball to Josh the keeper came rushing out sliding at his feet only to knock the ball to Brodier who with a great lofting effort could only find the side netting, another great chance came for Morgan with a great first touch set him up on his left foot, a great strike looking to go in all the way was yet again denied by the keeper kings getting more and more frustrated with so many chances they didn’t really have much to show for it.

Another chance yet again for Clements with a great lofted ball over the top of the defence a great touch and a venom strike surely a goal was again denied with a fantastic save. Captain Haywood looked to be struggling with and injury had to come off with Barber replacing him, Morgan dropping into the centre allowed Barber to use his pace upfront. Riseley now knowing they had to do something played some decent football to create a great scoring chance as they broke away it left Kirby to have to pull something special off with a 1 on 1 Kirby made himself look big and slid out to the feet of the player pulling of a great save. Into the last 10 minutes and something had to happen for the kings. Skolo picking the ball up on the half way line made a great run, with his chicken leg dummy he released the ball to Tomlin who turned on the ball and released a curling shot from 30 yards out into the top corner a great goal from the winger some saying a great contender for goal of the season.

Now with it being 2-2 it could have gone anyway but with a few minutes after a long throw from Jeff into the box coursed a scrap in the box with the ball ending up at Morgan feet he took at shot who knows how many deflection it took it ended up in the back of the net then came the greatest celebration everyone piling on top of Morgan in the middle of the park, a well deserved goal put kings in the lead 3-2. One last chance was to come from a free kick from Jeff releasing Tomlin on the wing he took it past the defender with it being 2 on 1 he released the ball to Barber who for some reason 1 on 1 he took a touch which rolled straight to the keeper. The whistle blew and with a great 2nd half performance kings went of delighted with the win, only to hear in changing rooms blue chip had drawn putting kings 1 point behind the leaders with a game still in hand.

By Marcus Tomlin