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

 

Surrey Intermediate Football League 

Keens Park Rangers 3 Hounslow 4

Goals: Mike Wicherek, Luke Mitchell, Courage Moda 

Man-of-the-match: Courage Moda

Although Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) sang ‘We have all the time in the world’, KPR discovered there wasn’t enough of that precious commodity to gain a deserved point against a Hounslow side that appeared oblivious to the concept.

It’s a funny thing, as Bar Manager Chainy mused, that we gather two hours before kick off, faff about for almost an hour warming up etc. etc. and we still can’t kick off on time. This week, however, it was undoubtedly down to the visitors who were at least five minutes late coming out of their dressing room for the kick off. Their co-manager, the last to emerge by some distance, sauntering across the pitch delayed the start even further, and you got the distinct impression the referee was not amused.

In your own time lads.

Once finally underway, the KPR supporters were most upset in the first minute as a poor throw-in in their own half conceded possession and, one pass later, saw the ball fly past Nik in goal into the top corner. What was already going to be a challenging match had just got harder. But the KPR players quickly dusted themselves down and began to play as we know they can. They were fortunate, however, to not go further behind as attempts to pass out from the back conceded easy possession, with the visitors hitting the woodwork twice in first ten minutes.

Of all the KPR players, it was Courage who was showing the greatest desire to turn things around. And as much as he was in the wars, having hurt himself early on in stretching to tackle, he created a great chance that KPR failed to convert. This proved to be a trend as a succession of players failed to hit the target or get their shots off. 

Ball watching

That said, it clear to all that KPR were easily competitive, despite a few of the players attending Jambo Crouch’s wedding the previous day. Luke (no hangover) up top was showing characteristic strength and did well to keep his feet in the box before cutting it back to Mikey (very much hungover) at the edge of the box who curled a beauty into the top corner.

Game very much on. And KPR very much on top. And the home side should have scored again, but their reluctance to shoot proved costly again as the visitors regained the lead after hitting the woodwork again, before the forward got to the rebound first. 

Simmo about to test his orange neck

While it took some good defending to deny Courage another opportunity, KPR’s defending wasn’t as effective and a third goal was, all too easily, tapped in at the near post from a needlessly conceded corner and the pain grew deeper as a fourth went in following a free header at the far post before the end of the half, which finally came at almost 4pm. 

As Kempy, then running the line, stated, this was either going to be an absolute tonking or a high scoring draw. Which would largely be dictated by the attitude of the KPR players and it was heartening to see not one head drop despite the poor first half. Indeed, the second half began with KPR hitting the woodwork. But, all were grateful to Nik, who pulled off a good save at the feet of the striker. 

Thereafter KPR resumed their dominance. Jethro and Luke had chances without ever testing their keeper. Nik, on the other hand, was forced into making a great double save to keep things ‘respectable’. And KPR really should have made the visitors pay after Jethro was presented with a free header at the far post, after a good cross from Rory, but he placed his header wide of the far post. 

Rory admiring Josh’s industry

Subbed soon after for Josh, the newcomer then teed up Luke after outwitting three defenders only for Luke’s shot to go well wide. More good play from Josh resulted in a sweet strike from Dan Way only for the ball to come off the crossbar and the post before bouncing out and away from goal. 

The play was breathless and it was no surprise, despite substitutions, that the game got increasingly scrappy as legs tired on both sides. And yet, KPR continued to create chances. The best of which fell to substitute Kempy but, to the frustration of the supporters, he didn’t fancy challenging the keeper for the ball. 

It was then Luke’s turn, but his fist touch meant the ball wouldn’t sit down. And then it was Dan’s turn but he placed it wide before the deserved goal finally came after Luke slotted home having been played onside by an injured defender. Thereafter, there was really only one team in it as the KPR chances kept coming, with Courage denied a penalty having had his shirt pulled in the box. 

Frankly, there were that many chances I got bored jotting all the chances down. And it took a second yellow and red card for one of the opposition to interrupt KPR’s dominance. That was until man-of-the-match Courage’s courage paid off after latching onto a through ball from Luke before bravely slotting it in before getting clattered by the keeper. 

The dugout transfixed

While the referee overlooked what was a nasty challenge by the keeper, he had clearly taken great exception to the opposition’s casual approach to timekeeping and the half went on and on giving KPR every opportunity to equalise. And they really ought to have done after Luke shanked a great chance wide of the near post.

Two things were inevitable at this point: the high-scoring draw Kempy had predicted, or the generosity of the referee to run out. Sadly, as the ref had to call time eventually, it was the latter. But KPR now know, if they didn’t already, that they can compete with anyone. Time will tell.


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