Match Report

With Federico nursing a suspected broken finger we arrived at Kew knowing we would be in for a tough game against our West Surrey League opponents. We lined up with George in goal, a back 3 of Joe, Matt and Luke. Ollie on the right, Josh on the left, Áedám and James with Charlie playing behind Adam and Pat.

 

We kicked off and found ourselves under pressure straight away. Joe had to be quick to prevent a goal scoring chance as he cleared the ball for a corner. Kew were piling on the pressure and we conceded a number of corners. We were struggling to deal with them as we wouldn’t attack the ball and rode our luck when the Kew player had a shot which was goal bound before it hit his own player and went to safety. We slowly began to work ourselves into the game. Adam and Pat were linking up well and Áedán put a lovely ball through which Pat couldn’t quite got on the end off. We were then dealt an injury blow as Josh hobbled off. This meant an early introduction for Elliot who was to prove important later in the game. We were now matching Kew all over the pitch and it was an entertaining end to end encounter. Both teams were playing good football and the game was being played in a friendly but competitive manner. We continued to create half chances and Ollie was now becoming more involved in the game and played some lovely balls down the line.

 

With about 22 minutes of the half played Kew attacked with pace and we found ourselves stretched. The striker was able to dribble into the penalty and buried the ball past George. 1v0 Kew. We now looked like we could concede again as Kew won more corners. We somehow defended them but the manager was desperate for half time so things could be changed and we could get back into the game. With the referee playing injury time, Charlie got the ball and made a determined run into the box. He was able to shrug off the defenders challenge and played a lovely ball to the back post where Elliot attacked at blasted the ball into the back of the net! 1v1 and a great time to score as the referee signalled for half time as soon as Kew kicked off.

 

At half time the boys were told to try and make use of the space and pass the ball. We had to try and stop conceding so many corners and also work hard when we did not have the ball. The boys were reminded that it was a cup game and to really go for it.

 

The half started and we were buzzing. We scored our equaliser at exactly the right time as it seemed to deflate Kew. We were now trying to pass the ball and make Kew work harder. Adam was playing superbly up front and the Kew defenders would have gone home after the game probably fed up of the site of Adam charging them down. Despite our dominance we were not creating many chances. We won a few corners and a couple of half chances fell to Pat and James but we were still unable to get the goal which would take us into the lead. It was very similar to last week! Kew were still trying to attack but Luke and Matt were defending brilliantly and stopped their strikers getting the ball. Joe was giving a masterclass of how to play as a sweeper as the whole team had a good balance and shape to it.

 

Freddie was brought of for Charlie as we went in search of the winning goal. Almost with Freddie’s first touch he nearly put Adam in with a great pass which the keeper just got to ahead of Adam. Charlie was then brought back on for Pat with 8 minutes to go. We then had a wonderful chance to take the lead as a ball over the top found Elliot through on goal. Unselfishly he tried to pass to Adam who couldn’t quite stretch enough to put it in. Was that to be the final chance? With 25 minutes of the second half played, James found the ball at his feet. He opened his body up and played a superb pass out to Ollie on the right. Ollie dribbled forward and hit a thunderous strike that hit the underside of the crossbar bar and bounced out. A goalmouth scramble followed and Elliot lashed a shot which again hit the underside of the cross bar but this time went over the line! 2v1 NPL and a great team goal.

 

The final 5 minutes seemed to drag as we looked to hold on. We continued to defend brilliantly and soon the final whistle went and we had won 2v1 against a team we may not have been expected to beat.

All the boys were terrific today. The first half was very close with both teams creating chances. However our equaliser on half time meant we had our tails up and the second half we were excellent. Two well taken goals by Elliot ensured we progress to next round of the county cup!

Man of the match could have gone to Joe (again) or Áedán but they were just beaten to it by Adam who was brilliant up front and was unlucky not to get a goal his all round display deserved. Well done Adam!

 

Fantastic today boys. Through to the next round of the cup. Lets see if we can get our first league victory next weekend at home to Whyteleafe.

Kew Park Rangers A 1v2      NPL Youth B

 

Surrey County Cup                                       Date: 23rd Sept 2007

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