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

 

The Surrey FA County Cup

Keens Park Rangers 1  Rudgwick 2

Goal: Michael ‘shiner’ Woods

Man-of-the-match: Kieran Killick

Although blessed with a strong starting eleven the KPR ressies lacked the strength in depth required to overhaul a resilient Rudgwick in the cup. Indeed, so threadbare was availability this week due to absenteeism and players being cup-tied managers Liam and Callum has to reanimate Tigger’s immobile carcass for the afternoon (shares in Deep Heat apparently spiked at 11am).

Big enjoying a coffee (before kick off)

That said, it was the ressies defence that lacked mobility in an opening ten minutes that saw the opposition make every advantage of the slope and a very strong following wind. Their number eleven, in particular, was getting a good deal of the ball but they opened the scoring from a corner reminiscent of many that Manchester United have been conceding this year. Yes, it was that bad.

Although behind early, the ressies belatedly got into the game with man-of-the-match Kieran, combining with Sammy, causing some havoc down the left wing. It was a slight surprise, therefore, that the equaliser came from a ball from the right, but there was no doubting the quality of Woodsy’s header into the top corner.

A semi-blind pass from the black-eyed one

Things were looking to improve further as the opposition were forced into making a number of rash challenges just before a Jessie player got into the box. Sadly, Seamus didn’t have his shooting boot with him this week and they were all squandered. And yet, the pressure was largely on the opposition defence. That was until Woodsy copped an elbow in the eye which rapidly closed.

This was the last thing needed as it meant Tigger – something of a misnomer for a 55 year old perhaps – was called upon from running the line to running the game up top in Woodsy’s place. Well, he tried and didn’t embarrass himself in the quarter of an hour up to the half-time whistle where he was ruthlessly relegated to the touchline once again after the referee okayed Woodsy’s return to the fray.

Kieran’s cross just evades Woodsy

Ultimately, it made little difference as the ressies, for all their huffing and puffing, failed to muster more than three shots in the half. Seamus went closest in hitting the post, and Rian hit his chance over the bar whereas every other ‘attempt’ failed to extract a save out of their almost redundant keeper.

This was especially frustrating for the die-hard supporters foolhardy enough to brave the weather, and they were doubly disheartened when the visitors notched a second goal after a good bit of play down the left resulted in an easy tap in at the far post.

Rian’s school-bound effort

Thereafter it was more of the same with the ressies grafting hard but to no avail, and the visitors being a little more productive in forcing a couple of good saves out of Liam before Tigger’s brief return for the last couple of minutes at least added some comedy value to the afternoon.

Let us hope our enjoyment of the day is accompanied by full squads and a victory or two from next week.  


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