This Match Report is sponsored by H&H Construction
The MJM Sports Surrey Premier League
Wimbledon Casuals 6 Keens Park Ranger 4
Goals: Jake, Wayne, Vic, Archie
Man-of-the-match: Archie Harris
After a solid win last week, KPR’s first team had every chance of maintaining their 100% record, but some uncharacteristic errors ended up costing them in what was a narrow loss in a high-scoring match.
Although kicking into a very strong wind, KPR made an equally strong start with Keanu, in particular, causing all sorts of havoc for the opposition’s defenders. And it was from one of his marauding runs, and no little pressure from the midfield, that Harry forced the first meaningful save of the match.
Although later awarded man-of-the-match by KPR’s new managerial duo Simmo and Tommy (welcome aboard) KPR’s enthusiasm resulted in Archie getting deservedly booked for a naughty tackle. Nevertheless, KPR remained the dominant force, with Scottish import Harry (Och Aye, he’s also new) forcing another good save from the keeper after a super turn and shot from distance.
Harry watching Woodsy battle for the ball
Fellow new boy Wayne then had another chance, but this time it posed no real trouble for the keeper. Ten minutes in, the deserved goal finally arrived after some great play down the right where Rory, having exchanged passes with Wayne, entered the box and cleverly passed it behind the overcommitted defence to Keanu at the far post who squared it back to the penalty spot where it was slotted home by Jake.
The home team were soon under the cosh again, and it was only a very good block that denied Rory what would have been another excellent team goal.
Inevitably KPR were experiencing some pressure, but there was a strong element of controversy about the equaliser after Reece was denied a fairly obvious free kick in his own box, before the home side scored a simple goal from the resulting corner. Regrettably, the referee (and some well-rehearsed protests) began to influence the game from this point onwards, with Keanu picking up a harsh booking when trying to close down a clearance.
Nevertheless, KPR’s potency had fallen in line with the home side getting their act together and a failure to clear their own lines contributed resulted in them falling behind to a first time finish at the near post and then another at the far post. Not really what KPR deserved but the finishing was clinical.
Wayne nods Harry’s free kick in
Given some of the fouls given against KPR, the upending of Harry in the box looked an easy penalty decision only for the referee to theatrically wave KPR’s protests away. Having rediscovered their collective mojo KPR were again playing the bulk of the match in the opposition’s last third, but the referee wasn’t helping KPR’s cause in giving convenient fouls, and more yellow cards, just when they didn’t need them.
A rare foul in KPR’s favour then led to another KPR goal after Wayne got his head on the end of a well delivered free kick far out on the right wing. Regrettably, KPR’s renaissance lasted a matter of seconds after Reece inexplicable error allowed their striker in for a free shot inside the far post that Giley in goal could do nothing about.
KPR couldn’t do much about the deficit before the ref called time on the half that the home side took full advantage of emerging from the changing rooms over five minutes late and the extra delay clearly caught KPR cold with substitute keeper, Josh, conceding a fifth before he’d had a chance to touch the ball.
Simmo can barely watch.
After a ropey off side flag denied Keanu a great opportunity, the crowd were beginning to get somewhat fed up with matters before Simmo and Tommy rang the changes with Vic, Seb and Sam coming on, and Woodsy dropping into defence and Archie being pushed up front.
Although not strictly ‘immediate’, the changes soon worked after Vic launched himself onto the end of a free kick and lobbing it past the keeper. Unfortuneatly, the supporters’ hackles were soon raised again after Harry was denied another great shout for a penalty having been pushed in the back when through on goal.
As legs tired on both teams, the game inevitably became stretched. Mikey was brought on in an effort to exploit this, but KPR’s high defensive line afforded the opposition’s forward lots of space to run into and exploit their pace. Sure enough Sam found himself on the wrong side of the attacker who ran in and clinically put a sixth inside the far post.
KPR refused to accept the hand dealt them however, and displayed no little character in giving the opposition a tricky las few minutes. Seb and Vic combined down the right before Harry had another shot blocked in the six yard box. Thereafter, a flurry of corners followed and Archie stuck his head in the far post mixer to get another goal back.
Kieran refusing to give the game up.
All of a sudden KPR had every chance of getting something out of the game. But time, given opposition substitutions and more players seeking medical attention, was against them with Sam, after Seb got in behind the defence to shoot, had the final shot of the match – albeit one he blasted high and wide from the edge of the box.
Ultimately, a draw would have been as much as KPR could have hoped for. But having troubled a team who will undoubtedly be title contenders there was much to applaud despite the loss. Keep up the commitment displayed it is pretty clear good times are just around the corner.
This Match Report is sponsored by H&H Construction
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