Scorers – Kelly 3 ( 2 penalties ), Patterson, Spencer, Og
It was on the cards…a real thrashing…german had texted it, skips had reinforced it,the gaffer demanded it…and a poor Kew side were on the end of it!We travelled to upper class south west London with a squad of 12, having lost Jones to his dodgey ribs and Sam to the evils of a Friday night! Also nearly lost Kenga in Richmond, in his quest to find a rich woman with a nice pad by the Thames, whilst Fabb blamed his late arrival on his dad (Clive…top 1st xi supporter) and his inability to negotiate M25 hold ups. With our trusted 4, 2, 3,1 formation, Thirkettle came in to add steel and guile to the holding midfield, and Spencer started his first 1st xi game of the season up top.
On a good playing surface AP settled into a nice rhythm and established theirsuperiority early on. We worked the ball well, with Fabb/Kier and Gunyan/Kenga linking up really well on both flanks. Thirkettle and Nicholaou bossed the middle showing consistent determination and class, in moving the ball earlyand accurately. Spencer and Kelly gave early warnings with close drives, and Nicholaou tested from distance. The breakthrough came on 10 minutes, when Kier dinked in for Patterson to deftly flick past the bemused Kew keeper to open our account. The second followed soon after with Spencer rising to meet a Kier corner with a glancing header.
AP’s best period of the game saw us play some excellent football, with strong linkup play and incisive passing right across the pitch. The third came on 20 minutes when another dead ball caused havoc in the box, with a desperate clearance attempt turning into an own goal. The game was effectively over as a contest on 35 minutes, when a blatant handball provided Kelly with the opportunity to open his account, which he duly did in composed style. So half time arrived with a very satisfying 4 – 0 scoreline.
The gaffer offered to get a deckchair and slippers for Simps, and reminded therest of the team to maintain their discipline and give more of the same. Dan O’Leary came on for Nicholaou, and demonstrated the strength in depth we havein midfield, with his good touch and astute early passing, linking up particularlywell with Gunyan and Kenga. The second half was largely one way traffic, andit was 5 – 0 when Kelly broke free and cooly lobbed the advancing keeper fromthe edge of the box. AP continued to attack at will, with Kenga, Kelly and Kier allhitting the woodwork. German, Patterson and Gunyan all tried to get in on theact with storming runs from deep, one of which put Kier free to flash in anothercross which was handled again by a Kew defender. Despite the close attentionof Spencer and Kenga, Kelly rightly stepped up to smash in the penalty for adeserved hatrick, and wrap up a very comprehensive 6 – 0 victory.
NB – The 1’s current determination and desire was exemplified by Kier, who at 6 – 0 up, sprinted…yes sprinted 60 metres to provide defensive cover, in what was probably Kews only serious attack of the second half. Next week will be a different proposition as we go into a top of the table clash with HSBC at the ‘Racecourse ‘…what a beautiful game !
MoM – top marks all round, with pick of the bunch Kelly closely followed by Kier.
