Match Reports

League Match: Score 1 -2 Away win

Starting Line Up: Sam F (Captain) in goal, Jake, Sam G, Charlie, Archie, Harry, Scott, Marcus, Luke, Mat G and Matthew W.
Subs: Alfie, Jack, Keiran and Tom

Our first league game of the season took us away to Brackley where the sun shone. Early pressure from Kingston Colts and Mat G played an excellent pass to Harry who took the ball down the left wing before crossing into the box for the home side to scramble it clear for an early corner. Sam G’s corner caused all sorts of problems for the home side who were relieved to just concede another corner. This time Sam picked out Luke whose shot was blocked. So, nearly an early lead for Kingston!

Brackley slowly grew into the match and some resolute defending by Archie with a fine header allowed Sam G to sweep the ball up field to Matthew W whose cross was cut out for yet another Kingston corner. Matthew W took the resulting corner which resulted in a fine save by the already impressive home keeper. Already Kingston were starting to show really encouraging signs and working hard as a team; determined to chalk up an opening day victory.

With Kingston seemingly constantly camped out in the Brackley half it only seemed a matter of time before the first goal would come. Mat G came close midway through the first half when his snap shot went narrowly wide following an excellent run and cross from the impressive Harry Dixon.

With 12 minutes of the first half played Luke went within inches of giving the away team a first half lead when his looping effort crashed back off the post – so close….now it was just a matter of time surely? So it seemed and on 14 minutes the Kingston boys were celebrating but only for Scott’s goal to be ruled out for offside, all of this after Marcus had made some excellent progress down the right hand side and steered a shot goalwards.

Whilst Kingston continued to control the game with attack after attack the Brackley goal keeper held them at bay. However Brackley continued to push forward on the counter attack and only some excellent work in goal from Sam F and a last ditch header from Harry kept the score line even.

Liz, Kent what are your feeding Harry?...because within a matter of 30 seconds he was tearing down the left wing and driving a shot in at the Brackley keeper. On 21 minutes time for a double substitution on a really hot afternoon with Jack and Alfie coming on for Matthew W and Mat G who had both run tirelessly and took a well deserved rest. Jack got himself quickly into the game and provided a well weighted cross to Sam G whose shot whistled inches over the bar, unlucky Kingston.

Time now for Charlie to step out from defence and send Marcus free, a lovely reverse pass inside to Harry who crosses to Scott but yet again the goal bound shot is cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner Jake releases Sam G who in turn finds Scott free on the right, shot goal bound…….and Jack is on hand to find the back of the net. Great effort Kingston!
Brackley 0 Kingston 1 with just a few minutes to go before the half time whistle!

Second half

With 15 boys signed on this season time for some more changes…Tom comes on in goal and is immediately called upon to clear – good reactions Tom. Sam F is pushed into defence and Keiran is on to replace Jake who has been majestic at the back.

Straight into the action in the second half and an early chance for Kingston as a throw in from Harry to Scott is headed back to Sam F whose well struck shot is expertly saved by the keeper.

Brackley themselves have made some alterations at half time and they are starting to push further forward. Charlie steps in to make a great interception to prevent a dangerous looking move by the home side. Again Brackley come back minutes later and this time they force their way down the right hand side and equalise from a narrow angle in the 3rd minute of the second half. Brackley 1 Kingston 1…game on!

Kingston need to respond and captain Sam F is pushing them forward, his pass to Scott releases the pacey forward who drives through to go 1 on 1 with the Brackley keeper….good save once again…

Alfie is getting more involved in the game alongside Scott and it’s his turn to be denied by the hugely impressive Brackley keeper.

With Brackley growing in confidence Keiran is required to make a sharp clearing header to prevent the home side taking the lead…well defended Keiren. From the resulting clearance Harry is sent scampering away down the left and his cross is cleared away for another corner…how many must that be now! Alfie takes the corner and the ball is scrambled away to the edge of the box. Step forward Marcus who picks up the loose ball and neatly side steps a challenge before playing a 1-2 with Harry. Marcus then cuts the ball back to Alfie whose first time pass is thumped home by Scott to put Kingston back into the lead again. Brackley 1 Kingston 2. Superb football Kingston.

Mat G comes on for the hard working Charlie and time for Marc G to tinker again with the positions of the players…..are you sure you know what you are doing Marc…please don’t anyone answer that one…

Alfie seems to now be playing with more confidence following that vital assist and he goes 1 on 1 against the keeper only to be denied. Scott has run himself into the ground and the manager is convinced that he must be an inch shorter now, so time for a change. On comes Matthew W who is immediately into the game and soon starts tormenting the home side’s left back.

Brackley although stronger in the second half are now seeing their attacks becoming more sporadic as Sam G is marshalling the back 4. Into the last 5 minutes of the match and Mat G intercepts a home sides attack and his pass to Jake leads on to a cross which Sam G feeds back to Mat…could it be 1-3? No….another good save by the Brackley keeper.

Final score Brackley Athletic 1 Kingston Colts 2

Great match played in the right spirit..well done boys.

Men of the Match:

• Defence: Archie Scott,
• Midfield: Matthew Watts
• Striker: Harry Dixon.

Goals: Jack, Scott
Assists: Scott, Alfie