This Match Report is sponsored by  H&H Construction

MJM Surrey Premier League

Keens Park Rangers 1 Parkside 0

Goals: Lucas Aitken

Man-of-the-match: Josh Downes

A new era for KPR dawned with hard fought win over visitors Parkside FC at their new home of Woking Park in front of a record crowd of more than 190.

The levels of excitement pre-match were proportionate to the hard work of the committee and, most obviously (on the night) of Gazza Beight who was flippin’ some very tasty burgers. As the crowd would find out, events on the pitch would be equally tasty, and it was KPR who got off to a very solid start pinging the ball around, with all the players involved.

 

That said it was the visitors who created the first clear chance in forcing a clearance off the line prior to the follow-up being pushed wide of the near post. It was, for the time being, a minor aberration as KPR recovered their composure and, in doing so, tested the visitor’s keeper almost to his limits.

Whereas KPR dominated, the visitors were leaving their foot in on occasion. While the referee was happy to give a free kick no player was punished further. One of these free kicks led to KPR’s first scoring chance, but Jamie headed over before KPR’s ‘lucky star’ Lucas drilled in a ‘pile driver’ from 25 yards to open the new era with a very memorable goal straight through the goalkeeper‘s hands.

 

despite weathering a few corners, KPR were dictating matters, and almost scored with another tremendous strike from distance that was, unfortunately, right at the keeper just before Lucas spurned the opportunity for a brace after being tee’d up by man of the match Josh Downes.

The visitors had been under the cosh all half, and it was Gazza’s turn (ably assisted by Annabelle) in the tea waggon to feel the pressure during the break. 

The second half began in much the same way as the first, until the physical effort involved began to take its toll. Lucas was the first to go down with cramp and Harry Lush made way for Archie Harris who, like the rest of the defence, soon found himself extremely busy as the visitors enjoyed their inevitable spell of dominance.

KPR could barely get out of their own half and certainly lost a bit of composure when attempting to go forward. That said, a hopeful punt up the pitch set up with a foot race between Jamie and the defender, which the defender appeared to win until his own keeper intervened and collided with him. The ball now free it was at this point that the tireless Josh nicked the ball but, with an open goal at his mercy, he put it wide.

Your reporter’s professionalism came into question at this point as the crowd got very animated while he was at the bat getting a round. Accordingly, Mungo picks up the story: “There is a penalty shout. Jamie had a shot on goal, leading to a bundle in the in the box, but it wasn’t given”.

With fatigue setting in, KPR made further substitutions, and yet talk in the stand rued the lack of a two goal cushion. This was brought into sharp focus after one of their players tried to emulate Lucas, but Jacko in goal brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar.

Del Junior then picked up the first booking of the match after a lunge at the visitor’s number six. Now, with 10 minutes to go, KPR had almost done enough, but the visitors continued to grow in confidence. Especially so, as KPR were – given the referee’s leniency of the first half – picking up bookings and, regrettably, a red card.

The pressure certainly told, and the visitors had the ball in the back of the net only for the scorer to be deemed offside. All was forgiven, perhaps, now the officials had saved KPR’s bacon (even though Gary had given most of it away after halftime).

A man down, and with tired legs all over the pitch, KPR threw on Sammy to if not ‘terrorise’, occupy, the defence. And as much as KPR failed to create another chance, they did enough to retain possession for an extended period of added time to seal as deserved (just) victory.

Well done to all concerned. And a massive thank you to all those (home and away) who came to witness a significant night in the clubs history.

 

This Match Report is sponsored by  H&H Construction