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

 

The Premier Challenge (League) Cup

Keens Park Rangers 2  Dial Square 2

Dial Square win 3-5 on penalties

Goals: Josh Downes, Courage Moda

Man-of-the-match: Courage Moda

Whereas cup fever struck Fortress Pyrford this week, it was a case of what might have been as it was visitors Dial Square who advanced on penalties.

Both sides far from at full-strength, it was the visitors who dominated the first half an hour scoring an early penalty after keeper Nik upended their centre forward. Given previous results, the massed tifosi feared a long afternoon ahead. And matters certainly took a darker turn when Reese tweaked his hamstring. And yet, it is always darkest before the dawn and the injury gave Josh, who has been extremely unlucky to spend a number of weeks in substitute ‘limbo’, the opportunity to show everyone what they’d been missing.And boy, didn’t he just in adapting to the pace of the match with ease and mopping or breaking up all that was thrown at him.

His easy confidence soon spread and it was Courage in particular who then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with a display of high skill, and relentless determination. Fellow midfielder Doug was also showing his fitness, before Mikey had a shot well saved by the visiting keeper.

Almost unplayable on the day

Kiyanu on the left was getting into the game and it was his strong play in the left hand corner that allowed him to cut the ball back across the box to be met first time by Josh with a lovely strike in off the near post to equalise.

About right, the second half saw new signing Lewis tee-up Courage who, despite his sweet strike, placed the ball wide from close range. That Lewis then went close himself from further out demonstrated how KPR were in the ascendancy, and they could have taken the lead had Mikey’s incisive pass to Courage had sufficient pace.

KPR’s dominance may not have shown on the scoreboard at this point, but certain Dial players with the Alice banded number 7 petulantly fouling Courage having not getting his way moments earlier. If his deserved booking was a righteous conclusion, the supporters were extremely amused to see him perform a ‘Christmas miracle’ (although Easter is more apt) in springing to his feet to protest his failure to ‘win’ another foul having spent some time rolling on the floor holding his ‘hurty’ foot (might have been shin).

Seems the lino was up to no good again

It was, as it happened, pretty relentless KPR pressure with Lewis, and then Ollie, going close before man-of-the-match Courage got his well deserved goal after KPR’s collective closing down led to a chance that, although well saved by the keeper, presented Courage with a tap in for an equally well deserved lead.

Indeed, it should have got better as more KPR pressure resulted in Mikey blasting what ought to have been a tap-in well wide with the goal at his  mercy.

Such moments often prove crucial, but this week KPR may have genuine case of feeling hard done by as the opposition eeked out an equaliser in the closing minutes thanks not so much for good play but what looked, for all the world, a generous decision from the league appointed linesman in not flagging the scorer offside. Despite a lengthy consultation the referee was not going to change his mind and he ended up sin-binning Sam who clearly couldn’t bite his tongue hard enough.

Although down to ten men, KPR may have held out for the penalties but they had no luck in having two penalties (one in particular) very well saved.

Hard lines, perhaps. But a bit more ruthlessness in front of goal should have seen KPR over the line in regular time. Bring the shooting boots next week fellas!


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