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

 

The MJM Sports Surrey Premier County Football League

Keens Park Rangers 2  Wimbledon Casuals 2

Goals: Luke Mitchell, Dougal Chudley

Man-of-the-match: Dougal Chudley

A storm was brewing at Fortress Pyrford this week. Rather than Bert, or that evening’s KPR Quiz Night, it was a feeling that KPR’s first team were robbed of a deserved victory.

That said, the game was a breathless exhibition of excellent flowing football from both teams. Initially, at least, it was the visitors who looked the most dangerous in forcing an early save out of Nik. Like the howling wind and rain, the play was almost uncomfortably frantic, but as much as KPR had more to do defensively they took the lead after Luke saw the keeper off his line before lofting the ball over his head from all of 35 yards.

Things might have got even better after Mikey had a good shot saved by the keeper, before Luke lobbed the keeper again only for his shot to hit the bar and bounce on the line.

The second half contrasted from the first as it was very feisty from the start. The referee certainly added top this perception by booking Luke for doing no more than protecting himself, and the ball, having seen a robust challenge coming. This certainly contrasted to the booking handed out for a more cynical foul on substitute Kiyanu who really should’ve scored soon after were it not for a decent save from the visitor’s keeper.

 

KPR had another really good chance, but the keeper gathered the ball before Mikey could pounce. Although the opposition looked dangerous, certain players appeared more interested in diving than creating or finishing off moves. One dive in particular created a good deal of mirth among the sodden supporters, and they were cheered further by KPR’s second from Dougal who completed a a fantastic turn with a first time shot which the goalkeeper could only parry allowing the ball, at the 23rd bounce, to finally cross the line.

Just as well, as the opposition clawed one back with a scrappy goal that saw keeper Nik and the ball bundled into the back of the net. To the home supporters it looked a foul but the referee and the league appointed linesman gave the goal.  

Dan then forced another save out of the keeper with an incredulous first time volley on the wing before going close again from the resulting corner. Then it was Bruce’s turn to go close direct from a long distance free kick. 

Dougie then got a booking for a relatively harmless challenge that might have been better saved for the opposition’s winger who proved he could finish when he stayed on his feet. 

If this proved frustrating worse was to come as the referee seemed to be a good deal more sympathetic to the visitors in allowing a very late challenge on Jambo to go unpunished before siding with the opposition’s linesman in disallowing a legitimate goal for Courage when fellow sub Jethro, who was offside, had made no attempt to play the ball.

This proved a frustrating end to a good match, so it was fortunate that attention was soon directed to the bar and the now famous KPR Quiz Night. Won this year by Joe’s Gigolos, highlights included chairman Crouchy’s statement ‘you can’t play here for free’ while simultaneously dishing out free shots to the named and shamed debtors; fellow quizmaster Woods Snr’s sublime comic timing; Sam being declared ‘the best Bullen’; and Dan Way’s re-working of Sophie Ellis Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’ into a ‘KPR ’til I die’ banger. 

I think we can all agree on that one. 


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