Under 12's

League Match: Score 0 – 4 Home Loss

Starting Line Up: Alfie (GK), Sam F (Capt), Sam G, Charlie, Jake, Harry, Scott, Marcus, Luke, Jack, Mat G,
Subs: Tom, Keiran

This, our first league home game of the season, started bright and sunny but a few light showers were to follow. Kingston knew that they would need to raise their game against a very good Highfield side. This showed in the opening minutes of the game with Highfield having the majority of possession but Kingston worked tirelessly as a team and with Alfie in superb form in goal Highfield were kept at bay.

Highfield kept pushing forward but were thwarted by a fine interception by Scott whose neat pass to Sam G is swept up field to Mat G out of on the left wing. Mat G put in a good cross which Scott turned goalbound only for the Highfield keeper to make a save.

Another Highfield attack was dealt with by a strong Sam F challenge, but unfortunately Sam F came out of this with an ankle injury. With Sam F off and Kingston down to 10 men Highfield capitalised and scored their first goal of the game on 6 minutes. This was really hard on Kingston who had competed so well.
 
Kingston didn’t sit back and Luke and Marcus started to take a hold on the centre of midfield. On 13 minutes Kingston earned their first corner of the game and Sam G is worked through to Luke whose shot is cleared, but some smart work by Mat G sees him get away a fine strike….. but just over the cross bar. Great team work Kingston and very unlucky.

Another great interception by Sam G and his pass sees Luke mesmerise 3 Highfield players as he picks his way towards goal before laying the ball off to Mat G who shoots but a good save by Highfield keeper sees the score remain at 0-1.

In the final few minutes of the half Highfield mount another attack and only some swift intervention by Jake and Charlie averts the danger. But, Highfield keep on attacking and this time Tom stands firm in the centre of defence with Alfie continuing to give a master class in the Kingston goal to keep the first half score at 0 -1 as the half time whistle blew.
 
Second half

Sam F comes on to replace Tom who has had a great game but saw his afternoon ended with a recurrence of a troublesome heel injury.

Alfie’s goal keeping skills are tested early on as Highfield take a shot in the first minute but again a super save by Alfie. Marcus is alert to the danger from a quickly taken Highfield throw in and his pass allows Harry to scamper down the line before crossing in for Jack to rifle in a shot. The pressure is building and Jake puts in a fine long range effort but it is well saved by the keeper, great effort Jake. Kingston working hard here and certainly deserve a goal for effort alone!

Another chance for Kingston minutes later as Sam F passes to Mat G, back to Sam who crosses to Marcus who takes a fantastic shot which is just saved by keeper.

On 40 minutes the home side force a corner, Sam G picks out Marcus, whoes header goes narrowly wide – excellent effort Marcus. You can’t fault Kingston’s determination and effort, superb.

Keiran comes on now to give Mat G a break, great game Mat. Highfield on attack again and yet another superb save again by Alfie. Anyone got Fabio’s number handy…..Keiran is holding the ball really well up front and bringing others into the game, well played Keiran. Kingston are pushing forward now chasing the game and Marcus finds Luke with a great cross who pass to Harry is cleared for a Kingston corner. Keiran takes a really dangerous corner but the opposition manage to scramble it clear.
 
Highfield’s 2nd goal comes in the 53rd minute of the game and slightly against the current run of play, with the home team pushing forward looking for an equaliser they are caught on the break.

Sam G is pushed forward out of defence now and he is immediately influential in attack, Sam F wins a tackle and his releases Marcus who puts Sam G through on goal – but an excellent save from the Highfield keeper to deny a certain goal.

Mat G is now back on to give Harry a break who, as last week, has run tirelessly throughout the game.

As the second half comes to and end Highfield score with two more break away goals making the final score as the whistle blew Kingston 0 Highfield Juniors 4.

Men of the Match:

Luke and Charlie took the honours but really everyone could have won the awards today.

Manager’s Comment:

Despite the score line I was really pleased with what I saw on the pitch today. Kingston worked exceptionally hard and produced arguably their best team performance since the team’s inception. The shape of the team for most of the game was good and it was only at the times when we stopped playing as a team that the goals were conceded!! It was an excellent all-round performance from EVERYONE!