This Match Report is sponsored by  H&H Construction

MJM Surrey Premier League

Keens Park Rangers 3  Battersea Ironsides 4

Goals: Dan Way, Harry Hennem, Wayne Grigg

Man-of-the-match: N/A

While the goals keep on flowing at Fortress Pyrford, KPR were unfortunate to find themselves on the wrong end of a seven goal match that was more battle than thriller.

That KPR had a battle on their hands was apparent from the very start as the opposition got out of the blocks very quickly. Doug and Jambo in defence were finding their hands more than full. And yet, first clear chance fell to KPR after good hold up play by Luke, who passed inside for an advancing Harry who placed his effort wide of the far post.

Then, before anyone was allowed to settle, the visitor’s speedy winger found a teammate in the box, whose first touch popped up and hit Lucas on the arm. Although it looked like the ball hit his arm in a natural position, a penalty kick was given without hesitation. And slotted away in a similar fashion despite Gilsey going the right way.

Any sense of injustice was short lived, however, as Dan scored a delicious free kick – from all of 30 yards – in off the crossbar to rapturous applause from the assembled masses (40).

Thereafter it was fast and frantic with neither side managing more than three or four passes before sacrificing possession. That said the lofty visitors looked the most likely with a couple of shots from distance, and a header that skimmed the crossbar, whereas Doug was repelling everything else, and got a bloodied nose for his troubles.

While still being patched up KPR conjured up their best move with Dougal finding Luke who forced an awkward save out of the keeper, but nobody was there to pick up the loose ball. It was a shame, therefore, that Luke’s girlfriend, Alice, wasn’t on the pitch as she’d proven extremely keen to kick the ball when it went out of play not just once, but twice. First hitting Harry on the arse and then, with unerring accuracy, his head!

More huffing and puffing ensued, but again the chances were falling to the visitors with Dan getting a good block in just before halftime.

The second half began much like the first, with the visitors getting a soft early goal after KPR failed to clear their lines. But rather than strike back, another soon followed from a header that wrong footed Gilsey between the sticks. Despite Bruce arguing he’d been pushed the referee was having none of it.

With the lofty opposition playing to their strengths, KPR were struggling to make much of an impact – especially as Luke was being penalised for contesting balls against defenders over a foot taller than him. Then, inexplicably, a free kick led to one of the opposing players handling the ball for an obvious penalty that Harry slotted home.

Back into the match, the KPR supporters were feeling confident until another soft free kick led to a fourth goal for the visitors after a duffed clearance.

Belatedly, this spurred KPR into action, and the more they asserted dominance, the visitors began to pick up yellow cards and waste time with the keeper, somewhat incredulously, going down with cramp. From the touchline, it didn’t look like this was registering much with the referee.

With time running out, a good period of pressure hadn’t led to a clear chance as the final pass always seemed a yard beyond reach until a scramble led to Wayne scoring a third to give KPR a sniff at getting a deserved point. Dan certainly had a couple more chances, but it was a great shout for another penalty, after substitute Felix was tripped, that caused uproar.

As much as it looked a certain foul, the protests were to no avail, and as much as there were further bookings for the visitors time ran out on what was a vibrant performance that continued in the clubhouse and then down the King’s Head where the ressies were celebrating a stonking 8-0 win.

 

This Match Report is sponsored by  H&H Construction