This Match Report is sponsored by Aalto Construction, M.H. Construction,  H&H Construction & Green Tangerine Catering

 

Surrey County Premier Football League Cup 1/4 Final

Keens Park Rangers 1 Cubo 2

Goals: Jack Baisden 

Man-of-the-match: Jack Baisden

It is a good job I don’t teach anymore as the tardy production of this match report from memory – almost a week late – sets a very poor example.

Fortuitously, however, my recall, although less than total, is aided by the fact the first team’s defeat in the quarter-final of the League Cup was regrettably similar to the ressies defeat in their semi-final the week before.

Fortress Pyrford has taken a dent in recent weeks. It could have been oh so different had both sides been more ruthless in front of goal. But whereas the ressies defeat to Cranleigh was entirely predictable (we were either gonna stuff ’em or lose to a single scrappy goal – it was the latter), the firsts faced a less predictable foe in Cubo.

Reece seemingly dislocating his ankle (and wrist) to deliver another cross

Nevertheless, KPR got out of the blocks first and dominated the early exchanges to the extent that the game could have been all but over within half-an-hour. Actually, it really ought to have been with Bulldog having three gilt-edged chances. One really good save and a couple of duffed efforts later, KPR were still dominant with Dan Way standing out as much for his defensive play as going forward.

Aided by a man-of-the-match performance from Jack the two appeared to have opened the scoring after a sublime touch and cross from Dan was met with a strong header by Jack that crashed off the crossbar onto the keeper’s back and, seemingly, in before the keeper recovered and scooped the ball clear.

Dan seeking to feed man-of-the-match Jack

Despite the Vet (c) footage we’ll never truly know but the collective gut feeling among the supporters erred towards a goal. Such were the number of chances the supporters’ might have felt a goal was imminent, but the more chances that passed (few clear cut too be fair), the more the doubts crept in.

They loomed large after keeper Kieran produced a fine tip over the bar from a shot from distance, and the visitors ended up the dominant force by the end of the half.

Rob wins another towering header

The second-half immediately proved how costly the wasted chances were as a canny bit of play and a great cross from the right was headed home at the near post leaving Kieran a spectator. Rightly, this spurred KPR into action and the ever energetic Courage and Doug were putting in a tremendous shift even by their standards. Sadly, Bulldog forced another good save out of the keeper before the home team drew level with a fine team goal – even if we had the referee to thank for ignoring what looked to be an obvious foul in the build-up.

Nevertheless, Bulldog showed some terrific feet before threading a delicious reverse pass to Dan on the left who then crossed the ball low for the oncoming Jack to pass inside the far post on the run.

Now, surely, the ‘real KPR’ were going to turn up. But they were undone by the visitors ‘rope-a-dope’ tactics. While we tired they ploughed relentlessly on and the home teams failure to contain their skipper exposed the otherwise excellent Bruce and Kieran, who ended up collecting the ball out of his net for a second time after an unstable shot low inside the far post.

Ach well. I may have the wrong Schwarzenegger movie. But “we’ll be back”!

 


This Match Report is sponsored by Aalto Construction,  H&H Construction & Green Tangerine Catering