KINGS AFC 4 - 1 Potton Wanderers

League Fixture

Saturday 19th April 2008

Kings: Barber, Loosemore, Fordham, Dyer, Cain, Tomlin, Sacbuker, Haywood (Muckle), Morgan (Minty), J Clements, Lokolonga

Half time score: 2-0

Kings AFC Scorers: Tomlin, Morgan (2), Sacbuker

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT BARBER

Starting formation and lineup:

The much anticipated 'game of the season' began with Kings knowing victory would guarantee promotion and take them one step closer to the title.
 
With Wilson having his hair done in Macclesfield and Milner (I’m available for every game in April...except, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th games!!) pulling out the day before, Manager Minty had a reshuffle with veteran Matt Fordham coming back into the fold. Barber was between the sticks and Nath Clements the only other absentee.
 
Potton began the game dominating possession without really creating any chances. Similar to other teams we've played this season, they relied heavily on their sweeper hitting every free kick or clearance as far from his goal as possible. Potton were putting in some strong or more accurately disgraceful tackles with the game plan based on attempting to intimidate their opposition.

The majority of the first half led to few actual chances; however there were a variety of incidents that occurred. With Josh skinning the so called 'premiership' Potton centre back, he was blatantly hacked down by the centre back, perhaps jealously of Josh's fitness levels, but an awful decision. With both teams arguing over the challenge, the Potton centre back, who was to go on and have a torrid game, head butted the Kings captain, Adam Haywood. With blood pouring down Haywood’s face, the Kings players surrounded the ref and wanted to know his response.
 
Unfortunately the ref had not seen the incident and discussed the situation with the Potton Captain & lines man who mysteriously went blind for a 10 second period and denied seeing anything. Despite the Kings protest, ref calmly explained that he couldn’t send him off as he didn’t see it!!!
 
Haywood showed his true leadership responsibilities and rallied the team to finish the half strongly. Dyer, Cain, Fordham & Loosemore had marshalled the Potton attack well and began to get into the game more and signs of confidence came back into the team. With barely 3 minutes to go, Dyer sent a long throw in. The Potton centre back jumped a massive 2 millimetres off the ground and missed the ball completely, with Morgan pouncing at the far post and slotting home left footed. 1 - 0.
 
Despite Potton’s domination of possession, they created nothing and Kings scored with their best chance of the game. It was to get better though....much better. Straight from the kick off, Kings oozing with confidence fed the ball to the lively Jacques Lokolonga on the left of midfield, Josh made an expert run down the line opening a gap in the middle. Lokolonga looked up and placed a 40 yard ball onto the toe of Morgan who controlled it first time with his right foot and dispatched a left footed half volley into the back of the net from 25 yards! 2 - 0
 
HALF TIME
 
Despite the attempted intimidation by Potton, they threatened little and kings were confident of going on to win. Second half started as the first began with Potton dominating possession without creating anything. Josh was rampaging the opposition defence and remaining cool. Josh had been consistently superb, especially for the second half of the season and was putting up with such comments such as 'I’m going to get you' with maturity and professionalism.
 
The two possible danger man of Potton, their right winger and a centre midfielder were good on the ball and showed some neat touches. Shame the rest of Potton couldn’t follow their example, as if a few more were like that they could easily be the 2nd best team in the league. Loosemore the tank had the right winger in his pocket for the majority of game, but was sometimes overrun when 2 or 3 players came at him. Even when the Potton players looked like they were going to get past the tank. He steam rolled his way back with a fantastic last ditch tackle - is there a better left back in any of the Saturday leagues? The right winger hit a cross that took a deflection and ending up at the Potton striker’s feet who skilfully chipped the ball to the back post for the right footed Potton left winger to finish well. 2 - 1
 
Potton began to grow in confidence but Sacbuker & Haywood were battling hard in midfield. With the Potton midfield getting little change out of either of the Kings midfield generals, the game went a tad 'Liverpool' for the next 5 - 10 minutes e.g. boring.
 
Out of nothing a typical hit and hope ball from Harry in the Potton defence went towards the back post when Fordham jumped with the Potton striker and the ref called for a penalty! Although harsh and opinions divided in the Kings team, it appeared Fordham had pushed the Potton striker after he had jumped albeit slightly!
 
With Potton having a great chance to equalise, Scot Barberdinionionionooooo flung himself to the right and tipped the penalty round the post! With half the team celebrating, Dyer & Haywood were quick to get everyone focussed! From the resulting corner, the ball was whipped in and Barber again dived on the ball as if his life depended on it. Despite taking numerous kicks from the really 'brave' Potton players, he held firm. Kings had survived and wanted to push on. With a disappointing decision not to punish the Potton players by the ref, Kings played on.
 
Seconds later a Potton player with a fascinating hair style lashed out at Dyer. The ref, who to be fair probably had one of the most difficult games ever  finally saw the offence and sent off the Potton defender. With Dyer retaliating to defend himself also receiving a yellow card.

Following from the sending off, arguments continued between both sets of players with Sacbuker having his legs grabbed and thrown in the air! With Sacbuker in mid air, the famous words of "..the thing is…" could be heard before the influential midfielder was body slammed by his Potton counter part. Truly an hilarious moment
 
The game swung back Kings way. Morgan came off for Minty and Kings began to control possession and created more chances, Tomlin who had battled hard in the game had few chances to show his attacking guile received the ball on the right wing he completed a 1 - 2 with Minty and sent Josh through who was unfortunately dragged his shot wide. Josh & Tomlin began to enjoy themselves when Josh was hacked down by the Potton defender on the edge of the area. The Potton goal keeper who brought a new definition of weak link was so badly positioned, Sansom would have scored! However all jokes aside, Sacbuker stepped up and curled a beauty into the back of the net. 3 - 1. The craziest chicken run celebration from Skolo - going down as one of the funniest things of the season!
 
With Potton beaten, they reverted back to poor challenges with another 3 of their players being booked. Lokolonga was too skilful for the Potton defence and began sending Tomlin & Josh on some 1 on 1's. The next goal came after good work in midfield by Sacbuker, Haywood & Minty sending Lokolonga down the right, he sent Josh through who had a effort saved, with Tomlin mopping up the rebounds and finishing from an acute angle. 4 - 1
 
The final minutes saw Cain take the ball down the right with 4 players hacking as hard as they could trying the get the ball off him. Between Cain, Lokolonga & Tomlin the final insult to Potton was complete with over 25 passes going without interruption by the opposition! Fantastic result!
 
Potton who had been on a fantastic run themselves were beaten. Kings need 2 points from the final 3 games to secure the title!
 
Game on!

Lee Morgan