This Match Report is sponsored by Aalto Construction, M.H. Construction, H&H Construction & Green Tangerine Catering
The MJM Sports Surrey Premier League
Keens Park Rangers 1 Worcester Park 2
Goals: Dan Way
Man-of-the-match: Rory Cornelius
Having swapped venues with the visitors due to their waterlogged pitch, KPR’s generosity came back to bite them in what proved to be a harsh defeat in a high quality game.
With the visitors vying to go top of the table, and regular midfielder Doug injured, KPR were not the bookies favourites. And yet, with Alex O’Shea, Doug’s more than capable replacement, in tandem with Rory in the centre of midfield it was KPR who dominated as the pair were winning all their personal battles.
The referee was also entertaining the spectators in stating “the only person he explains anything to is his mother” after he’d declined the opportunity to book Dan Way following a deliberate handball. No explanations were needed after he disallowed a goal for the visitors following an obvious push on Jambo Crouch.
Despite this scare, the more the half went on the more KPR with dominated. Defensively solid much of the play was in the visitor’s final third, and KPR should have taken the lead after a brilliant bit of play through the middle and down the right wing presented Luke Mitchell with a free header that he placed over the bar from close range.
KPR were then denied by the visitor’s keeper before Dan Way struck a delicious free kick in off the underside of the bar from all of 30 yards. As this stage, it was definitely no more than KPR deserved. And matters ought to have got even better were it not for the keeper denying Courage. The visitors weren’t exactly hanging, but they were certainly second best and they were fortunate a defender wasn’t carded for upending Bulldog, before Alex was on the receiving end of a very naughty challenge.
Regrettably there was no such leniency for KPR as the referee awarded the visitors a very soft penalty when Simmo was merely going shoulder-to-shoulder with the forward. As Nik couldn’t repeat last week’s heroics it was all square at half-time.
Disappointing though it was, the visitors emerged for the second half reinvigorated. But as much as they were a good deal sharper into tackles KPR held firm until a speculative shot from the edge of the box surprised a flat-footed Nik who could only parry the ball into the net.
It very nearly got worse were it not for Simmo pulling off a miraculous block on the line which not only hit the underside of the crossbar before going out, the visitor’s lino dropped, and broke, his vape. Relief was expressed all round because regaining a foothold in the match was already looking difficult.
There were soots of recovery apparent, however, with man-of-the-match Rory and Alex pulling the strings, and the pressure nearly told as Courage cut inside and force another good save out of the keeper before Courage was clattered by another late challenge that was ignored by the referee.
Having attempted to continue, Courage was then replaced by Josh with Dougal on for Mikey and Watto on for Alex after suffering another knock. Although all made positive contributions, KPR could not convert the pressure into clear chances with Luke’s duffed corner when otherwise on top summing up the final minutes that, inevitably, ran out.
Although not what they deserved, KPR certainly gave a very decent account of themselves. Let us hope skiing holidays and injuries don’t hinder further progress.
This Match Report is sponsored by Aalto Construction, H&H Construction & Green Tangerine Catering
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