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 Dial Square 7

Goals: Mike Wicherek, Keyanu Pillay, Dougal Chudley

Man-of-the-match: Mike Wicherek

Playing a side on top of the table isn’t ideal after an inconsistent run – exacerbated by almost no continuity in availability, let alone selection – ended as you might have thought. But as much as the scoreline suggests KPR were on the wrong end of a murder, the scoreline belied a very decent performance against the odds.

Manager Gaz’s threadbare squad was cut further and the solitary substitute ended up starting as Courage was unable to reach Pyrford until half-time. Compared to the visitor’s full to bursting bench, the empty KPR dug out looked very much surplus to requirements. And yet, this proved to be merely perspective or ‘optics’ that Hitchcock might have enjoyed playing with once the match got underway for it was KPR who looked the better side – going forward at least.

Coiled spring Josh anticipating

Luck, however, was not on KPR’s side and the visitors opened the scoring fortuitously with a mishit cross looping over Nik and inside the far post. A real disappointment given such an encouraging, yet Courageless, start. At the heart of the action was Keyanu, but it was Josh and Dougal on the opposite wing that were linking up best.

Despite the setback KPR remained positive and were playing the more expansive football (plot-twist alert) – just – whereas the visitors favoured a more direct approach they were delivering some very testing crosses and looked more of a threat. It was, therefore, ironic that it was a less well directed pass that wrong footed the KPR defence who then provided their midfielder with not only the ball, but also the time and space required to pick his spot and strike it sweetly beyond Nik in goal. 

Keyanu about to embarrass the defender

If things could have turned sour for KPR at this point, head’s remained high with the steely resilience required obvious. As usual for KPR it is skill rather than brute force that wins out and it was first Keyanu, who demonstrated some silky skills at the edge of the box before popping off a looping pass towards Mikey up top. With his back to goal it didn’t look the most helpful pass of all time, but such is his confidence right now he simply volleyed the ball first time over the keeper and into the far corner. Nice.

There was almost another good chance after Dan played a great ball with outside of his foot just beyond the overlapping Josh before having a shot himself after ghosting past a couple of midfielders. KPR were definitely in the mix at this point and as much as the opposition remained on top, KPR got their deserved equaliser after a patient passage of play retained the ball and ultimately found Dan in midfield and slotted an incisive pass to Keyanu, who rounded the keeper and placed it into the empty net.

Doug sets KPR off on another attack

Having grafted their way back into the match it was extremely frustrating that parity eluded KPR so soon after as a ball from the left found an unmarked forward who had an easy tap in just before half time. 

After such an open fist-half, the second was a far more cagey affair and their were few chances until Courage was brought on and beat the keeper to the ball with his very first touch. Having rounded the keeper and a defender it was clear the chance came too soon as he was unable to get his shot off until the angle had narrowed with the ball hitting the side netting. 

If that proved frustrating, worse was to come as the referee ignored a blatant hand ball. It wasn’t as if the visitors needed a helping hand but they certainly got it as the ball then dropped to a Dial player’s feet and a pass beyond the static defence later the it was in the KPR net. 

Dan keeping a keen eye on Sam

Justified uproar on the touch line, this was extremely hard lines for KPR – especially as the league supplied linesman said he’d have given the foul. And yet, despite everything, KPR bounced back again – and brilliantly so as a ball from the left (Dan I think) was cleverly ignored by Courage, who let the ball run inside the defender allowing Dougal to run in behind and confidently slot it past the keeper.

Again, however, KPR just couldn’t maintain their momentum and the visitor’s two goal advantage was soon restored a little too easily. While the referee belatedly woke up to certain members of the opposition’s antics the bookings came all too late and as much as KPR managed to conjure up another two or three good manoeuvres a sixth, and then seventh, goal went in as the KPR players’ efforts took their toll on their legs.

Turncoat Bulldog being reminded where his heart really lies

A very harsh scoreline given the performance. And. certainly, as the ressies proved this week with their thumping win over Haslemere, a similar performance and better luck will undoubtedly prove victorious. 

 


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