King's School - Football results

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It's a funny old game! Ask Accrington Stanley ( there's a historical football name for you) and Colchester, both of whom were defeated on Saturday after holding two-goal leads. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of our game was the effort and determination shown in search of the equaliser in the last three or four minutes, after having suffered the blows of three quick goals, turning the match on its head.

Such character will benefit us greatly - possibly in overturning ourselves a 3-goal deficit, possibly in protecting next time a 2-goal lead by meeting opposition improvement with our own.

That TWO-goal lead reflected much of what went right on Saturday. Coaches - demanding beasts that they are - LOVE the first goal and then the second. We achieved that in some style, outnumbering and outpassing the opposition with our 3-5-2 and in Jack Powell providing unstoppable power. He had already nearly uprooted the far post with a thunderous shot from wide, when after 12 minutes his long-range cross-shot overtaxed the keeper and Sam Jones followed up to put us ahead. Six minutes later, Jack's near-post corner was met By Matthew Bradford and in the ensuing melee, Jonathan Wright stuck it home.

We did not hold that lead for long enough. ( At 2-0 , as ever, attack the ball and KEEP it.) Three minutes later, a left-wing cross ( PLEASE close down the ball) went past three centre-backs and a left-back to be converted. concentration and communication ( GK included) need to be improved. So at 2-1 at half-time, we had another litltle game to play and win: the next goal. And we WON it. AND what a good goal it was, with the ball being moved WIDE and ACROSS ( we play too staraight too often) from left to right, Josh Kresnyak crossing, Matthew Bradford challenging and Jonathan Wright hooking home cleverly. ( He has obviously inherited Dad's legendary Ist XI talents, and may go on to better things if given a breakfast! We'sort this out, JW. 'I blame the parents')

GOOD - pretty nearly perfect and we were well set with Sam Jones in fine form. ( Sam's dribbling and passing were good and he is beginning to pressure better. He will be devastating from balls won from tackles because often one wins space and time too. For now I 'll coach the team to make angles and help to support him', but he must LOOK early to give and get back ( Sounds like the new Bond! Jones , Sam Jones!)

And yet we lost! The seeds of destruction were apparent: not marking closely enough and not clearing our lines. In part , this is my fault in wanting you to play from the back, but there is a need for decision-making as to the right time. Losing Jack Powell was crucial because he had marauded magnificently mowing down the opposition. So now, Jack, a coaching tip after you had done nothing wrong because you were not on the pitch! MGS scored twice ( brilliant long-range shots, gentle reader) to get to 3-3 from central positions where they were not closed down and allowed to turn. This area in front of the central two needs crucially to be shielded and is a rich source of possession from knock-down clearances.

At 3-2, Jonathan Wright squandered a chance and Sam Jones's amazing, mazy dribble could have resulted in a goal or a pass to Alex Smith. Communication! As it was, a lovely cross - let's close down - and header finally won the game. A great match wherein there was much to offset our disappointments. Thank you for playing, gentlemen. Yours in sport, JAH.

The last few A team matches I have reported on have been full of tension, excitement and fine, flowing football, and today's B team performance against MGS was very much in the same vein.

King's started the brighter with a series of early corners, sadly none of which we could convert, and this enabled MGS to work their way back into the game. After 15 minutes or so, the deadlock was broken by the opposition, who were probably then enjoying their best spell of the game, with James Ryder in goal kept very busy, but which position he really was revelling in.

To our huge credit, not a single head went down and, as the A team have done too when behind, we soon equalised - through Charlie Homer's smart finish. The rest of the first half was finely balanced, though perhaps with MGS edging it by means of a few more chances than us.

The second half, however, saw our best phase of the game, and our finest football, with passing crisp and accurate, and movement positive and supportive. A King's corner 6 minutes into this half was delivered by George Dermott right into the danger area, for Alec Davies to make a textbook header into the corner of the net. Confidence now growing, King's built on the momentum to go 3-1 up through a fine individual run and finish from Rudi McCloskey.

MGS were not done, however, and were as determined and skilful as they had been throughout the whole game, and deserved to pull it back to 3-2 which they did about 10 minutes from time. This made for a very tense last period for team and manager, increased exponentially in the final minute as tired legs began to tell, and MGS equalised. To be honest, I think a draw would have been a fair result, and with the momentum now behind MGS, the manager did fear that the opposition might just sneak a winning goal, but 3 minutes into added-on time, Harry Jones put the result beyond doubt in our favour.

This was one of those games in which basically, though it is a cliche, football was the winner. The game was of a high standard - indeed many schools' A teams would have been pleased to play as well as both King's and MGS did - and the spirit it was played in was admirable: competitive, but sporting to the last; tenacious but respectful.

Thanks to all our support as ever, to David Salt for refereeing impeccably, to George Hutchings for stepping in with confidence and competence as a rolling substitute, and playing all bar the opening 4 minutes, and finally to the whole team - no man of the match today; all 12 of you were men of the match. MJP

I had hoped that a tough game less than 48hours after our ISFA Cup win would not be too much and the euphoria of the win would stand us in good stead for this morning. However that game and a late, exhausting night at the'Battle of the Bands' for too many of the team was all a little too much. We looked tired and jaded and played, at best, in first gear. Too many of the team were not 'up for it' and a very good MGS team were strong in every department, but more importantly, first to every ball and stronger in every tackle. We played as if the ball was something to be got rid of as soon as possible. We did not pass the ball as I know we can, and instead of being relaxed in possession we panicked and inevitably passed the ball straight back to MGS.

Going in 4- 0 down at half time meant that realistically we would only be playing for some pride in the second half. We were better and I thought we might 'win' the second half but we conceded a fifth midway through the half and heads dropped once again. The referee did us a favour in blowing up early.

We just have to put today behind us. I've known days like this before (can't sleep overs and parties not be on a Saturday night?). We must clear our heads, put it down to experience and ensure next Saturday we make amends. Every one of the team knows it was not a true reflection of what this team can achieve and I hope they feel determined to put things right.

I would like to thank David Cartmell for his work, skill and commitment for this team, there is no doubt he will be sorely missed and he is always welcome to 'guest' for us. I wish him well with rowing, if he contributes half as much to them as he has done for us they will have a real star. DY

Late edit - Mr Lunn has just informed me the MGS U15 team are very highly thought of by their staff, going on extended unbeaten runs and hope to be ISFA winners (they might have been lulled into a false sense of security if they meet us then!)

There is only one complaint so can I get it over with? Good. How can you run a 20 minute warm-up in 5 minutes? It is not possible so please turn up on time boys. Although we were ahead early in this game it did take us a while to hit our stride and this was perhaps in part because of we were late turning up. Perhaps I am just grumpy with Carlisle having been beaten live on Sky by the postmodern invention that is the MK Dons. This was a brilliant performance with four well taken goals. Ali Coley showed great composure in picking up a half clearance before firing it into the net from near the edge of the area after three minutes. The second twenty minutes later by Ashleigh Murphy was another composed finish following some great work by Peter Boothroyd who showed real quality in his tackling and distribution before having to be withdrawn again because of a troublesome ankle injury. The game was finished off in the second half by an alert Cameron Thompson and another Murphy goal struck with genuine venom with the outside of the boot. We looked solid in defence with Jack Peake strong in the air and Henry Makings strong in the tackle, standing up when appropriate and diving in at the right moment with exquisite timing. MGS were a physically strong outfit with pace and ability and the ‘nil’ was maintained by the skill and confidence of Oli Church in goal. We still need to make better use of the wide areas which is something we agree on enthusiastically in team talks but still fail to deliver in the game. However, the physical effort and skill displayed throughout the team today was enough to secure a fine victory. Well done. JCH

This was a magnificent game which ebbed and flowed for 80 minutes. On paper it appeared to be a total mismatch. Unbeaten MGS (and expected to remain so all season by their manager) against a King's side with a 100% record- losses that is. Fortunately matches aren't played on paper but on King's superb pitches. Two weeks without a match had done us the world of good with time on the grids and Mr Morris' increasingly wide reportoire of training routines invaluable. Fitness levels had improved but it was skill and commitment from all 14 of the squad that brought us within a whisker of a win.

Joe Benson made the ultimate sacrifice for the team and played in goal for the whole game. He had a superb match. We came out all guns blazing with Richard Meredith and Hugh Roberts dictating things in midfield. It was from a well-flighted Meredith cross that we took the lead with Dylan Phillips managing to stroke the ball home with the outside of his left boot. With 70 minutes left we could not sit back and everyone in the team tackled, passed and moved as if their lives depended on it. Ciaran Willis and Rob Stein up front epitomised this and were not giving the MGS back four a second on the ball. Slowly MGS did get back in the game and Joe Benson made one magnificent save to help us keep our noses in front. Eventually the pressure told and MGS equalised on the half hour with a fine long range shot.

Half time came with the management hoping for renewed energy levels and a return to the short passing game. MGS however came out a team transformed. After one 25 yarder had cannoned off the bar but not crossed the line, they worked a second goal.

Without mental strength and raised energy levels we could have collapsed. MGS expected it but it didn't happen. Somehow the midfield got back on top with Meredith and Hugh Roberts playing their best games for the team. Arthur Thomas came on and had a superb half hour. Working intelligently with Luke Robinson down the right, we started to take the game to MGS and got a lifeline when the referee spotted a push on Meredith in the area. Rob Stein's penalty smashed against the bar. Heads didn't drop as we piled forward with Mike Dyne increasingly influential down the left. Two Hugh Roberts corners caused mayhem and then the equaliser came. Richard Meredith floated in a free kick and Hugh Roberts pounced- twice. His first shot cannoned off the post but he gleefully smashed home the rebound. It was now end to end with both sides intent on winning the game. MGS played one ball across the face of the box which no one could touch in and then Luke Robinson was forced into making one magnificent goal line block but King's had the greater threat with Ed Pilkington's centre-back partnership with Dylan Phillips remaining strong. In the last 5 minutes Alex Howarth finished off a superb sweeping move but was marginally off side and then Mike Dyne ran half the length of the pitch but just couldn't square the ball in front of Alex Howarth. Cue the final whistle and the end of a pulsating match. Well done to each and every one of the squad. PN/CM

U14 XI won 2-0 against Manchester Grammar School (away, October 11, 2008 )
This is something of a straightforward report to present; two evenly matched teams in something that appeared to be an evenly balanced match. However, the maturity and perseverance that this U14 team displayed, and I stress the word team, clearly defined them as the stronger side for periods on this match. King's first goal came towards the end of the first half when Evans showed great strength and forced in a cross from the right. This performance poses one particular problem; I have difficulty separating individual notable performances; the defence battled hard under pressure and concentrated hard to keep their shape and close down attacks; the midfield worked hard to support the defence and be creative in attack; the two strikers challenged and stretched strong MGS defence. It was clear that the team entered this fixture with a respect for their hosts, but were determined to come home with a result. At 1-0 down, half way through the second period, spectators were left on the edge of their seats as MGS began pressing. However, the King's defence and supporting midfield only frustrated the home side, as MGS looked increasingly desperate. Equally, space began to open on the wings in the MGS half and King's began to look more threatening. A free kick conceded on the edge of the King's 18-yard box in the closing moments of the match led to a nervous finish, but it was sent high over the bar. What seemed like an extended half ended in joy, and perhaps a tinge of relief, with a superb individual run and finish from Ben Leaman. A hard fought match and they should be very proud of this result.
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On the surface, our 4-1 defeat to Manchester GS seems to be a comprehensive defeat, yet a rather different perspective lies behind the score line. The team played with energy and real spirit from the outset and succeeded in matching MGS for large portions of the game. It was not until the final seconds of the match that we finally succumbed and saw the game go beyond our reach.

We were handicapped before the beginning of the match with the absence of Osanlou in central midfield due to a dodgy car engine and he was left stranded at home as the team bus set off for Manchester. We rejigged our formation and put Fletcher into the heart of midfield.

Patrick was to prove a more than ample deputy and had probably his best game for the 1^st team. He was constantly involved in winning possession and building play. We will be looking for him to bring such elements of his game into future matches. In truth, our three man midfield refused to be dominated in the first half and enjoyed as much success as their counterparts. However, with a five man defence it was inevitable that we would suffer in other areas of the pitch and today we were left rather toothless up front. Hill looked to combine with the midfield trio which meant that Rudge frequently ploughed a lone furrow up front. The first half was fought toe to toe and neither side carved out many chances at all. In fact, King’s probably came closest with a good free kick from Fletcher. Some twenty five yards out he forced the keeper into making a fine save.

After such a competitive first half we had reason to be optimistic about our chances in the second half, however only three minutes into the half all that seemed to be wiped away. In truth, there was nothing we could do about it. Having cleared the ball away from the danger area to beyond twenty five yards their defender latched onto the ball on the half volley and saw an unstoppable shot dip into the top corner of the goal beyond keeper Leech. We did not deserve to go behind, but the goal had the effect of driving us on to look for an equaliser which came almost immediately as we went straight down to the MGS box. We created a number of half chances, but fifteen minutes into the half we fell victim to a second. Perhaps we could have closed the opposition down quicker, but the second goal seemed to be the crucial point in the game.

In looking for a foothold in the match with an equaliser we were probably lost our shape. From a five man defence at the start of the game we found ourselves playing with three and sometimes two. We had ample possession but struggled to create clear cut openings. However, with five minutes to go and with the ball bouncing about in the MGS box Hill found himself with the ball on the angle just outside the six yard area. He hit a sweet shot beyond the keeper which hit the far post and just edged over the line. An equaliser seemed plausible as we reached full time and a well flighted free kick saw Torr denied by some brave defending.

With two minutes of injury time played we pushed forward once more, but tiredness was catching up with us and we were unable to stop a good run down our right flank from which their centre forward volleyed home a great finish. From the kick off we did not let the 3-1 score line daunt us and once again we pushed forward. Almost immediately we were dispossessed and the counter attack saw us wide open at the back and helpless to prevent their fourth goal.

It was a cruel blow as we did not deserve to go down to such a result, but it is something we need to look back on and learn lessons. Two of their four goals came as a consequence of our defenders going forward and losing possession and MGS were able to drive into the vacant space. If there had been a flaw to our play on the day it was probably our tendency to give away possession unnecessarily and if defenders do it when they are out of position you will always pay the price against a good side.

Last Saturday I felt we lacked pride in our performance and I called for some of the King's School spirit that has been so prevalent over the years. Once again an Under 15 team stood up to be counted today.

Every single member of the squad can hold their heads up high tonight, They played with spirit, intelligence and a considerable amount of skill. Some of the football was a joy to watch and the goals were not simple 'tap-ins', they were all long range efforts or well worked finishes.

Anyone that has read my reports knows that I am always going to include a comment or two to keep our feet on the ground - we were sloppy with some of our defending. We gifted Wolverhampton their goals and some of our complacency would have led to further goals against better opposition e.g. Manchester Grammar on Saturday.

Having Josh back from injury in the middle released James to get forward a lot more and he took full advantage of the freedom. Kallum ran and tackled until he dropped and as with most games if you dominate midfield you win the game. This is especially true when you have three strong centre backs behind them and a goalkeeper that inspires confidence in his defence.. The wing backs worked hard to help out at the back whilst offering width when we had the ball. Up front George and Will played with a great deal of skill and intelligence and were unlucky only to get one goal each. Their overall play deserved more.

Not long to recover before Manchester Grammar on Saturday but it is always easier after a win. It would be nice to have a hat-trick of wins this season for my favourite teams against Manchester opposition!

Another day, another match, and another display of outstanding football. The fixture gave the opportunity for a few players to make their A team debut or return, and with a few injuries (more on this shortly) and unavailabilities, this was a great chance for them to shine. And shine they did: Harry Jones got a well-taken and fully deserved hat-trick, Tom Williams had bags of energy down the right, and contributed in the build-up play to several of the goals, and Sam Arshad-Roberts, once he got over the opening minutes' jitters caused by nerves, grew increasingly imperious, commanding and cool at the back. Mention, thanks and praise must also go to James Ryder in goal, who stepped in voluntarily at very short notice after a most unfortunate rib injury occurred to Matt Anthony in last night's practice session. He did not have a lot to do, but what he did was again cool, textbook and authoritative. It is great to know we have such strength in depth in the squad (and I know there are more too pushing for a place) - the "regulars" will also benefit from this competition and inspire them to greater still.

At the end of the day, the victory was easy and the scoreline reflects this. However, most pleasing is the way in which we achieved this - teamwork, interplay, support, passing and moving, width and early movement of the ball, communication: in short, total football. If we can play (both As and Bs) on Saturday in the same way against MGS, again notwithstanding the few injuries and unavailabilities, we can be sure of giving them a very good game indeed.

Thanks as ever to our loyal band of support, and to referee David Salt who also showed real calibre in his officiation. Onwards and (further) upwards... MJP

A first half that promised much, but delivered little, except a hatful of missed chances. Matt Jones was especially culpable, but equally adamant at half-time that his confidence and accuracy had not been helped by the coaching staff on the touchline shouting "That's 4 you've missed in a row, Matt!". Fortunately the second half saw us start with renewed vigour, and nerves were settled by debutant Dominic Thurlow-Wood delivering a pin-point cross in from the left for Matt to lob the goalie from 4 yards out. Critics silenced. 1-0. The lead did not last, though, and Shrewsbury's giant centre forward scored a good headed equaliser from a free kick to further unsettle us. Time surely to mention the best player on the pitch, Dave Roberts, who had been head and shoulders above any King's player in the first half, but, as the second wore on, his threat and support were strengthened by the growing influence of Arthur Thomas and Rob Stein. Dave scored 2 well-taken goals, and was matched in that tally by Rob, who scored the goal of the game from the right with a lethal finish from a far from easy angle. Arthur Thomas, with 3 assists and a shot striking the post, was popularly acclaimed as MOTM in the dressing room after the match, but never received his bottle of bubbly after the coach unilaterally gave Dave Roberts the nod for this award. "Yes, Arthur was superb second half," explained the coach after the match, "but football's a game of 2 halves, and Dave's performance was consistently top notch." Without doubt the final score flattered us in the end, when we would have settled for 1-0 after a frustrating 1st half, but it was good to watch, and a King's spectator said after the match that he had not seen a better footballing display from a King's team. Special mention should be made of the other debutants: Tristan Lomax played left mid and did a lot of good work both there and up front, where he looked especially useful with his head; Oliver Tattersall came on and did not put a foot wrong - even worrying the Shrewsbury goalie from well outside the area with a deadly ball into the danger zone; Dominic T-W went home with a particularly big smile on his face, and I do wonder just how many times his mum will have to listen to him talking her through his crucial role in our opening goal. Stalwarts of the school game, such as Joe Benson, Ed "Neduardo" Pilkington and Luke Robinson played with commitment and endeavour, without ever trying to impose themselves unnecessarily, and showed real maturity of attitude, never mind class. They will surely go on to prove indispensable in any school team in the sixth form. PSF

A stand in manager saw a team which never really settled during the first half. It was very much a half of missed challenges, giving away possession and the creation of very few chances. The half time whistle could not come soon enough.

We started the second half slightly better but early on Matt Williams in goal had to pull off a suburb save to keep us in the game. This seemed to act as the much needed wake up call which seemed to shake the team into action. From then on we started playing with more confidence and created several chances. Jonathon Verity scored the first goal, a well struck shot from outside the box which gave the Abbeygate keeper no chance. This was followed shortly after with a very neat finish from Ben Leaman who slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Jordan Williams scored the third, when he finished off a very neat passing move. I am sure all would agree it was not a convincing performance and the score line was rather flattering for King’s but it was the result that mattered. Special mention must go to DeclanTuite who worked tirelessly in mid field.

It is a long way down to Somerset to play a game of football, but I do not think that a single member of the team would have wanted to miss out on the opportunity of travelling to play Millfield in the ISFA Cup 2^nd round. It is a competition which has held fond memories for us in the past and even having to play the competition favourites on their home turf is something which the team welcomed with enthusiasm.

When we were drawn against Millfield we knew that we would find it difficult to overcome what would inevitably be a formidable hurdle and progress to the next round. To the team’s credit, however, the boys were all very positive about their chances and were raring to go. Pre-match meals and training sessions completed, the players were able to walk out onto the pristine pitch with an air of optimism.

Early exchanges saw Millfield as clearly the more composed team who quickly got into their pattern of play. However, for the first fifteen minutes of the game King’s looked able to compete, albeit without posing a real threat to the opposition goal. James Hill as captain set a fine example from the outset and his tireless running at the Millfield defence down the channels caused the opposition one or two worrying moments. However, as the half progressed we found it increasingly difficult to keep possession of the ball and invited Millfield onto our defence. As we were pushed further back our wide midfielders of Fletcher and Cooney found themselves more or less playing full back whilst our full backs of Goulbourne and Coppack looked to come narrow and plug any holes. If we had been sufficiently composed to play the ball out from such a position we might have had some joy, but with effectively six defenders strung across our defence we were left with only two in midfield. Try as hard as they might Osanlou and Peel found it impossible to compete in a midfield that often found itself flooded with six Millfield players to our two. Their task was made all the more difficult by our tendency to panic and give the ball away cheaply. Whenever we hit the ball down the pitch it came back at our defence almost immediately.

A combination of luck and some terrific defending from Cliffe and Torr at the heart of our defence saw us hold Millfield back until the thirty ninth minute. Ironically, their goal came from a defensive error on our part. A low inswinging corner was allowed to travel across the six yard box until it found its way into the back of the net. The team would have been grateful for the respite offered by the whistle for half time, but the referee had a lapse of concentration and instead of playing a forty minute half he thought he was playing forty five. Coupled with three minutes injury time the whistle finally blew after forty eight minutes!

Half time did provide us with the opportunity to take a breather and reassess how we should approach the game, but after an initial burst at the start of the second half we were again quickly on the back foot due to our tendency to give the ball away carelessly. Fifteen minutes into the half the game was effectively over. We allowed their forward time to turn on the edge of the eighteen yard box and for once he hit the target firing home a fine curling shot which went in off the post. Two minutes later and we were cut apart by the fast running of their midfield and attack and Leech was left helpless to stop Millfield from making the score 3-0.

It seemed possible that the team might drop their heads resulting in us being on the end of an embarrassing defeat, but ironically it was at this point in the game that we played our best football. Some of the team’s senior players took the match by the scruff of the neck and strode forward. For once Millfield were on the back foot. Torr pushed out from central defence and Coppack ran himself close to exhaustion down the left. Hill had run with purpose from the outset, but now, finding himself with the ball out wide on the left, he cut inside and ran past three defenders. From Twenty five yard out and centrally placed he unleashed a dipping shot that flew beyond the outstretched arm of the airborne keeper before crashing into the roof of the net. It was a goal that we deserved for our display of spirit if nothing else. However, galvanised we once more took the game to Millfield, much to the consternation of the opposition coaches who sensed that there was a real danger that we would get another. Peel went close from distance, Torr saw a header go narrowly wide and after a fine run Osanlou saw the keeper turn his raking shot wide beyond the post.

Such a late valiant display was inevitably going to leave us vulnerable at the back and perhaps it was no surprise to see Millfield claim a fourth in the final minute with a fine chip over the head of Leech. Yet even as the goal went into make it 4-1 the words of Phillips on the bench were entirely appropriate. “Come on King’s, you’re making us proud!” he shouted, and with ample justification. Granted that yet again our defence had had a terrific game and keeper Leech had pulled off some fantastic saves, at the final whistle the King’s team were able to troop off the pitch exhausted, but with their heads held high.

Not a long report tonight, for the result speaks for itself. But let me just start by saying that this was another of those "proper games of football" that I mentioned a few reports ago, and that both sides played competitively and to a very high standard indeed.

I can safely say, however, that this was the best I have seen us play all season, both collectively and in terms of all eleven's individual contributions. And there was only eleven due to a few injuries or unavailabilities and the B team's trip away to Bankfield tonight.

The manager called at the start for energy, commitment, and for a more consistent showing of our passing and moving ability and all three were produced in bucketloads. The game was always going to be a close affair, and so the first half proved. Going 0-1 down, once again the team showed their unflappability by working hard to soon equalise, the product of a well-worked corner short, back, driven across with the outside of the boot before a fabulous volley from Tom Armatage levelled the tie.

After half-time, however, the team simply went from strength to strength: utilising the whole width of the pitch, King's saw that if they could make the ball do the work more (not to say that they themselves didn't - Mr P was at one moment heard to say "run 'till you drop" - and we did!) then Christleton would be drawn out of position more, and space would open up for us. And so it proved. 1-1 became 2-1 (a beautiful placed curler over the 'keeper into the top corner from Ali Coley), became 3-1 (Ali again with a thumping drive to billow the net), and became 4-1 (Ashleigh Murphy rounding the last man and keeper after a bit of a mix-up and coolly slotting home into the empty net from 18 yards or so). In between, however, Christleton had always threatened on the break and only staunch defensive work from ALL (well done!) kept them at bay. A late Christleton free-kick was dispatched wonderfully into the top corner, which nobody could have done anything about, and 4-2 was, I feel, the right result on the balance of play.

But the style was what impressed me so much, and indeed the lads themselves judging by the huge grins deservedly on faces at the end as weary bodies took a rest. To misquote the great Sid Waddell (and he too is a Classics graduate, would you believe) to conclude: "There's only one word for that; magic football". MJP

Faced with physically (far) superior opposition King's were told in no uncertain terms that a slow start today would probably lead very quickly to an irretrievable situation. Their response was to take the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle and to not let go until the last.

Very few, if any, of the home team were physically capable of outrunning their direct opponent and so a simple passing game was required. King's provided it and some of the passages of play were superb.

In addition to the 'beautiful football' that was played there was a lot of determined, dogged, courageous and exhausting tackling, tracking and covering that was at least as, if not more important than the 'nice stuff' in getting a famous victory.

Matt Williams, Sam Powell, Michael Barcroft, George Okell, Lloyd Stanley and Declan Tuite performed at the highest level today and provided a platform upon which every member of the fourteen man squad were able to contribute to the building of this most impressive of performances.

The scoring was opened when a Christleton defender deflected a perfect left foot cross from Lloyd past his goalkeeper, Nathan extended the lead running onto a precision pass from Leaman (outside of right foot, twenty yards, curling into the run of striker) and finishing confidently with his left foot and Jonny Morgan made it 3 - 0 when his cross floated into the far side netting at the end of a six man move.

In between the goals George hit the bar twice, stung the hands of their goalkeeper with a rasping volley from twenty yards and had the 'keeper ( 5'10'' - 11'') scrambling backwards to keep out a sublime chip..

I have no idea how their season is going but I suspect Christleton have not and will not lose many games this season. I doubt also that they will be taken apart with passing football as they were today.

Thanks to Brian Messhum who had another impeccable game, ALL of the players for their efforts and sporting behaviour which made his job easier and the parents who came to watch and, I hope, be entertained and impressed by the efforts of their sons.

The often used cliche 'a real rollercoaster ride' is the most apt description of this topsy-turvy game. With the 'a' team busy against Christleton it was up to the 'b' team to visit Widnes for this English Schools' Cup match.

The team arrived in good time despite Mr Lunn not being able to find the Runcorn Bridge and King's made a bright start with Harry Jones rising imperiously at the near post to head in from a well taken corner. However, Bankfield's pacy striker struck his first goal soon afterwards to tie the score. The rest of the first period was played almost exclusively in the home team's half, with King's making the most of playing downhill with the wind (and it really was downhill!). King's were rewarded with an own goal following a goalmouth scramble.

So, 2-1 up at half-time, but this was just an hor's d'ouevre for an amazing second half. Bankfield's answer to Usain Bolt sped through the King's defence to equalize, but King's took the lead once more with a quite remarkable own goal rifled home from 20 yards (I'm sorry George, but there's no way I'm letting you claim that one). Unfortunately a sloppy 10 minutes allowed Bankfield to score 3 goals to take a 5-3 lead. Surely there was no way back for King's now, given the strengthening wind in their faces? To their great credit King's 'dug in' and played by far the best football of the match. Tom Williams hooked in a volley from a corner, followed by a great goal by McCloskey after some neat interplay with Harry Jones.

With the result in the balance it would take something special to win the game and luckily for King's it was in our favour with Webber blasting in a tremendous long range shot after picking the ball up in midfield. A fitting end to a tremendous performance.

Despite the 5 goals conceded (none of which were his fault) Matt Anthony was named man of the match for an assured performance including several great stops and a couple of extremely brave gathers.

Let's start with our positives! Like Paul Scholes, we score goals! As was the case last Saturday, Sam Jones turned in a cracker, individual skill combined with a powerful long, hard shot. ( He was denied on two subsequent attempts after being put in good possession by some fine build-up play.) As on Tuesday, Jack Powell scored a dramatic goal - this time directly from a corner. That was a great feat - though unsurprising for a player of his power and given the fact that training on Friday had focused specifically on that possibility . Well done. Jack.( Mr Horne will be smiling now!) It also should make us learn that practice does make perfect and that all practices should be worked at hard. Jack was tempted to shoot too often from too far out in the second half, because he felt we lacked other cutting edges. He was right!

Much build-up play was good, very good -though we all need to WORK MUCH MUCH HARDER on the necessary skills to KEEP THE BALL: good touch, quality of passing contact, consciously playing to feet AND giving support and making angles for the man in possession. You are more tired after a Friday or Tuesday grid session than a match as far as I can see and each person needs to PUSH himself harder. I can sub and rest you if you are exhausted, but get exhausted!

Otherwise - as the excellent referee Mr Jones said - the opposition wanted it more and won the 50-50 ball. Frankly, folks, we are soft - powder-puff - and will continue to struggle if challenges are not made, challenges won and lines cleared. Basically, we don't mark closely enough or -at times in midfield - at all!! More cover needs to be afforded to goalkeeper George Thompson who made two super saves, the latter as courageous as it was painful.

So many of the opposition goals were scored through the middle - for two reasons : we had little depth or support from full-backs and their strikers were good. They worked in tandem, one coming short, one looking for the next ball so that up-back-through was second nature to them. We do not do that, though I have asked people to do so AND to play on their special pitch AND to ask for the ball to feet.. The ONLY player I have seen who does that is Max Carstenson. ( Who - you may ask?) So it is no surprise we struggle up front. Because the front two do not seem to want it long balls are hit past and over them and we lose it.

Another comfortable win for this talented group but only after a confidently predicted sloppy start.

The warm up was poor and the players were forewarned that a poor start would be punished today and so it proved. A ball across the box from our left evaded everyone until it reached the far post where their left midfielder was free as a bird to tap home off the post. One minute, one down.

This shocked King's into action and we very quickly assembled our passing game. In the early stages we were particularly effective in the right channel where Lewis, Powell, Okell and Tuite were able to find the impressive Leaman.

The equaliser did come from the right but it was Lewis that was released by a passing move out of defence and his deep cross was met just inside the area by the in-form and impressive Jordan Williams who struck a superb right foot volley into the far side netting.

Another move out of defence again down the right provided our second. Powell played a perfect pass inside the laft full-back for Leaman who progressed and picked out the arrivibng Okell who swept a perfect cut-back right footed through the goalkeeper's legs.

King's were now in full flow and produced wave after wave of flowing football and on many occasions were a split second or inches away from adding to their lead. That is not to say it was an easy ride however, far from it., Mosslands were no mugs and played some good football themselves and Powell and Stanley in particular were outstanding in defence and Matt Williams' decision making and communication was spot on all morning.

Many chances and many more chances to make chances went begging (left foot please Jordan !) before our pressure evntually told and we put the game beyond doubt. Olly Green who, as ever, combined well with Lloyd down the left dispossessed their right back before advancing and striking a lovely left foot shot across the 'keeper and into the far side netting.

Please think about your preparation for Saturday morning games boys - today's warm up and start to the match were disappointing. Once you got going however you were a joy to watch. Thank you for that and thanks to Brian Messhum for an immaculate refereeing performance and to parents for their support. Christleton next, 4.15 Monday.

In a way this was one of those matches to write off to experience. The day started unfortunately with the manager only finding out about an injury to George Nott four minutes before kick-off, meaning Henry Makings gallantly stepping into that spot (where he played admirably), but meaning something of a reshuffle in midfield. The Mosslands lads were also far taller and bigger than the vast majority of our players, meaning that we knew we were going to be in for a tough physical battle. Ninety seconds into the game, things got worse when an apparently harmless ball put across our goal was uncharacteristically not dealt with by a still-asleep, it seems, back line.

In a way, though, we must not write things off, but rather take a great deal of positives from the experience: for example, our equaliser to the above goal was immediate, showing our determination to make amends for the opening error, and again the product of the good passing and moving that is our mantra. We competed with tenacity and resolution with the physical battle, albeit often losing out to bigger players, but not letting them have things easy. Matthew Anthony in goal made some quite simply awesome saves to powerful shots from distance. At 1-3 down, and enjoying probably our best phase of the game, we were unlucky to have a goal disallowed for offside, which could have really turned things around. And above all, most gratifyingly, we kept playing football. At U13 level, it is easy for heads to go down, but there was not a bit of that today. Ironically, I think we played much better football than in last Thursday's 3-0 victory, and against a better opposition, but that's the nature of the beast...

But with many and tough games ahead to take us up to half-term (Christleton, MGS etc), again we need to continue to show our strength of character. Thanks again for all your support, and to referee George Roberts who officiated with aplomb and without fuss. See you all on Monday, Home, 4.15pm kick-off.... MJP

After a pinball start, we started to take control with shots from Max Carstensen and Mark Breese. A smart through ball by Chris Anderson set up the first goal for Max who finished cleanly. Chris put in another beautiful cross which was just a little too high for Max minutes later, followed by some delightful distribution from Jeevan Kurakkal which eventually led to a shot from David Daly being unfortunately deflected wide by the ever-present Max. James Ingleby-Jones had a long-range shot saved before Max scored the second by bravely going for the ball with the keeper and slotting it home. The best pass of the game followed from James, a thirty yard cross-field Gerrard-like ball to give Chris Anderson a crossing opportunity, from which we won a corner. Another powerful shot from Chris, which was parried well by their keeper, and we reached half-time in control and with a two goal lead.

The aim for the first ten minutes of the second half was to stop them scoring, and we were successful for the first nine. We had another opportunity to score with a cross from Chris to Jeevan, but unfortunately his first touch allowed the ball to go out. They pulled one goal back with a good cross and a looping header. Another chance from a cross by James to Chris went begging, which seemed to then become the order for the rest of the game. The equalised from a corner and a miss-hit shot put them in the lead. Still driving forward there followed saves from shots by Chris and James as they tore apart the defence. Their fourth goal also came from a corner and the fifth from a counter-attack when our defence had pushed up just a little too far.

The final score was flattering for the opposition who rarely had a foothold in the match and were completely outplayed in the first half. There was certainly no disgrace in this defeat; the whole team deserves great credit for the positive and skilful way they played as a team. For me Chris Anderson was the man of the match, but very closely followed by many others. Max excelled up front, James in midfield,..... Thanks to the referee and to parents for their support. The next match is on Monday against Christleton. Bring 'em on!

Mosslands were a very good team, physically big, and strong in the challenge but I'm afraid we did help their cause a little too much after giving up the lead.

George Daly put us a goal up after only 4 minutes with his ability to stay on his feet when he could have gone down under a strong challenge in the area and he then coolly slotted the ball into the goal after rounding the keeper. We played well and could have even increased our lead in the next 20 minutes but Mosslands were getting stronger and stronger. We needed everyone to be competitive and ensure we were equally committed to Mosslands in the tackle, all strong but fair. We then had a poor spell of 10 minutes in which we conceded three goals. We had switched off mentally and were no longer either first to the ball or committed in our tackling.

Half time needed a change in mentality, we needed to raise our game once again and get everyone working hard and tackling back. Instead our heads dropped further and three more goals came in quick succession. We finished off the game with a little pride restored although too late to affect the scoreline.

On the whole we were competing against street-wise, committed, good players. Not every one of the King's team being willing to match that commitment today -regardless of level of skill. I hope we have learnt a big lesson and - come what may - next Thursday against Wolverhampton in the ISFA Cup we play with more pride for a start. We cannot carry anyone. Over the years the spirit of teams from King's has won us matches when possibly we weren't the better team. I need to see some of that passion coming to the fore in this team.

King’s started brightly and were getting a lot of joy down the right with midfielder George Dermott constantly providing quality passes out to the wing. King’s early dominance was dealt a cruel blow however when the opposition centre back hit a hopeful free kick from just inside the King’s half, which sailed into the top corner…a goal Beckham would have been proud of! Despite this knock back King’s pushed for an equalizer but it just wouldn’t come. With the half coming to a close it was Mosslands who were getting stronger and they forced home a second from close range. Shortly after, an unlucky deflection off a King’s defender fell nicely into the path of a Mosslands striker who had the easy task of putting it into an empty net. After a very positive start King’s somehow found themselves down 3-0 at the break.
The message at half time was clear, if we play how we did in the first 20 minutes then we can get something out of this one. The lads responded extremely well and were rewarded for their efforts with a well-taken goal from winger Tom Williams. For the second time in the match though Mosslands scored a freak goal, this time directly from a corner. At 4-1 down King’s refused to give up the fight and scored 2 very good goals through Harry Jones and Alec Davies. Harry’s strike was a cracker following good work from midfielders Cameron Hogg and Rudi McCloskey.
With 3 minutes remaining King’s went in search of what would have been a deserved draw, but were caught short at the back and the visitors added a fifth late on.
Overall, the first 20 minutes and all of the second half were excellent, and if Mosslands hadn’t scored those 2 seemingly impossible goals the result could well have been different.

MPJ

With matches coming thick and fast between now and half-term, and many of them against pretty formidable opposition (eg. Christleton next Monday, and MGS the Saturday after), it is imperative that the team take stock of their performance today. Of course, it was good to win, and win quite convincingly, and excellent to keep (another) clean sheet, but again, by everyone's reckoning, we didn't play quite as well as we are capable of, or at least consistently so, rather like last week at Cheadle.

Phases of play were excellent, however, most notably the first six or seven minutes of the game. Fresh out of the blocks, several chances were made in these opening stages, all a product of our incisive passing and moving, and the chance that was converted by Ali Coley was a sublime finish, chipping the goalie from a 45 degree angle about 15 yards out.

The half ended brightly too, with a smart cross into the danger area from the right duly dispatched by the arriving Tom Armatage. In between, though, things had gone rather more flat with passes going a little awry, or at least not to feet or in front of the forward runner. Nevertheless, the back four and 'keeper Olly Church had been impeccable: decisive, sure and unfazed at all times, meaning Hawarden had literally not had a serious threat on our goal.

The second half still called for a lift from us, but again things tended to remain rather flat and a bit scrappy, as even our wider players started getting sucked into the middle of the pitch, meaning little space was available to anyone. Matt and Ali particularly need to resist the temptation to move in towards the central play, but rather always try to leave us an outlet on the wings for their customary telling moves towards and into the danger area. One very bright spot of the half, however, was our third goal: movement down the left, crisp passing, a wonderful cross by Rhys Dowinton right onto the forehead of Cameron Thompson and a thumping header into the top of the net.

I hope I am not seeming too critical (Mr Hargreaves and I were discussing after the game that a team who can win well without playing at their best must be quite some team!), but I do gather from last year's management, Mr Horne, parents (thanks again for your support) as well as the team members themselves that there is a lot more to look forward to - and I have seen it for myself such as during Tuesday's games lesson and yesterday's astro practice. Let's start seeing it for the duration of a match now, rather than just snippets! MJP

We were never ahead in this match, but fought back for 1-1 and to 2-4 and that is encouraging. Well done! Perhaps Mr Horne's perambulation round the pitches best describes the match: he left after ten minutes and we were in control; he returned with ten minutes to go and we were in control!

In between, we suffered most from not marking closely enough and challenging or clearing strongly enough, so we need to be better without the ball. The long-range opener which left George Thompson helpless was a fine shot but the central midfield was unchallenged; the second was a matter of weak clearance - three times - the third of passing straight to the opposition - ouch - and the fourth a lack of defensive depth in the centre.

Our attacking was ,however, superb. Passing short and often we made rapid progress and failed to take our chances or narrowly miss them. The first goal was a splendid left-foot strike from the edge of the area by Jack after Sam Jones had laid the ball back. Alex Smith soon nearly scored again -twice - just missing a wonderful cross from Jack and then, having been played through by Sam Evans having his ( brave and correct) left-foot shot stopped.

We did very well mainly through Jack Powell and Matthew Bradford to spread the ball wide. Well done on bringing on this dimension to your game, gentlemen, and congratulations to the wide running of Cameron Faulkner and Josh Kresnyak. ( Josh was wonderful throughout - Fabio AND Rafael da Silva rolled into one - skilled, energetic, tenacious.)

Half-time helped to restore some energy levels because a few players looked tired and played tiredly. Immediately on the restart, Josh crossed beautifully after crisp passing had freed him wide, but strikers were nowhere to be seen. Sam Evans was then played through and the keeper made a point-blank save. Subsequent corners - great deliveries from Jack Powell caused havoc but brought no goal. We need to be more determined in front of goal. Our equaliser came from the second of two fantastic moves starting with pass-backs to George in goal and the ball being played wide, being recycled and springing an attack. This was great football lads and shows why we need to track back at pace to keep the ball and start the attack.

Kayode Famuriyo, ably supported by Ben Johnson, had a magnificent second half, breaking up attacks and using possession swiftly and accurately. It is a great pleasure to see a back four of such footballing talent. Bradley Naylor ( who started very brightly especially in closing down ball) went close as he broke down the right , but we just could not convert chances.

There was a lot of JEE gentlemen and we need a little more BRUCE !!), but we did many good things in defeat so let's really go to town on Saturday and finish our chances. Thanks for playing in a great game.

This was an impressive display which will certainly put pressure on some of the A team squad. There was much to admire although the team were denied the opportunity to admire Mr Heap’s refereeing at the last minute when the ‘real’ ref (David Salt) arrived late through no fault of his own and put in a faultless display. The team were dominant in possession from the start and although we did not offer quite as much width as the manager hoped for the formidable pairing of Harry Jones and Rudi McCloskey up front were soon doing damage, running into space and making telling passes. We were soon in front with Jones completing his hat-trick before half time, James Ryder finishing from the edge of the area and McCloskey taking his chance well. Tom Williams was full of running on the right, especially when supported by George Dermott who showed good awareness in midfield. James Hattersley and Bradley Kilner were secure in possession at the back although they must be wary of the ball played over the top and look to distribute the ball wide out of defence rather than back into trouble. Sam Arshad-Roberts was unflappable and Charlie Homer looked to attack from left back and demonstrated clean striking of a dead ball. Matt Anthony could do nothing about the two Hawarden goals as our defensive line crept too far up the pitch but kicked well when required to do so. Alec Davies came on to good effect up front and showed some touches which looked to bring other players into the attack. In possession we are a match for anyone and this looked like an A team performance for much of the game. The difference at the minute is that we must look more hungry in defence and we must not allow teams to find themselves with a numerical advantage in our half. An excellent start to the season. JCH

This was the first competitive match for the team, and we rose well to the occasion. We controlled the game from the first to the last whistle and deserved the result. James Ingleby-Jones was outstanding in his movement, control and passing, and scored two goals by half-time. The first was a well-directed shot, the second a "directed" header into the top corner from a cross by Chris Anderson. We started the second half much as we started the first, with players passing and moving, making space supporting each other. Sam Gareh put several great crosses into the box from the left wing, and could have scored a couple of goals himself; David Daly and Chris Anderson delivered from the right; Matthew Holland parried a solid shot onto the post and out; the midfield created some lovely quick-passing and flowing moves; all in all, it was an impressive start. Thanks must go to the referee, and to all the team for their willingness to be substituted on and off without complaint. Good luck for the rest of the season!

Ruthin - bigger (much bigger!) with two very skilled players -were deserving winners, but the scoreline does scant justice to the remarkable efforts and coherence of a scratch King's eleven. I was proud of your collaboration in play, gentlemen, and the spirited way in which you followed my request to follow Steve Bruce's words. ( 'We may not be the best team in the world with the ball, but we can try to be the best without it' is a great challenge to all footballing sides at King's.)

We defended heroically. Harry Stables pulled off two point-blank, goal-line saves ( as well as kicking well and deeply from hand). Richard Fellows and Paul Brownson were tireless in tackling and clearing in the centre and impressively supported at full-back by William Blacklock and James Williams whose sense of shape and covering was invaluable. What a back four!

In midfield James Kalaher and James Wilkinson came increasingly on to their passing game the more they marked closely and tackled hard. JW spread the ball wide too with great aplomb. Justin Bellis and Oliver Moore lent sterling support to midfield defence, but broke well and wide when the opportunity arose.

Up front Ananesh Anand and Chikolum Ejide challenged with more confidence as the game progressed and found that they had more and better ball because of it. They passed well to James Cope who was outstanding for his speed , athleticism and touch. He nearly scored and he and the side deserved a goal in return for skill and effort.

I hope we all appreciated the splendid refereeing of George Roberts, officiating directly after a hard 1st XI match. Still he was probably running on air after thrashing home the winner!

This was a pleasing game to watch, gentlemen. You were always looking to pass and twice in the match put together 8-pass moves. That's terrific. Thanks for playing and remembering how to play. Yours in sport, JAH

It is often the case that teams can be accused of riding their luck when they are under pressure and succeed in keeping a clean sheet, and I would not want to deny that against Lymm we had our fair share of luck. However, it is also the case that sometimes you create your own luck through the sheer effort and application of a side, and today I think we did more than enough in this respect to earn our good fortune and pull off what was in many respects a remarkable 1-0 victory.

Once again team selection was hampered by absences due to the Biology field trip, but if the players selected might have been lacking in experience compared to the absentees they were able to compensate with their desire to get something out of the fixture. Our formation dictated that we would inevitably invite the opposition on to us, but for the first 15 minutes of the game we probably played the better football and were more than a match for a Lymm side that had already drawn with Manchester GS this season. However, as the half progressed we found ourselves pushed back with the strong wind increasing in force and blowing in our faces. Lymm themselves also gradually found their feet and began to keep possession better.

With five players at the back we were largely successful in confining Lymm to shots from outside the box which we were content to deal with. The real danger came from dead ball situations when they could fire threatening crosses into our box. On two occasions the ball wickedly caught the wind and brushed the woodwork of the goal. Whenever Leech was called to make a save he responded with composure and he pulled off a magnificent stop low down to a header from a corner.

The second half saw some degree of respite as we now had the wind behind our backs and so clearances could go further afield, but we also managed to keep possession slightly better. However, Lymm still looked to have the edge and had the lion’s share of the game was played out on our side of the centre circle. This did not stop Hill as our lone striker running tirelessly for the side and causing some nervous moments for their defenders. Our midfield trio also worked exceedingly hard to close down the space of the opposition and Cooney in particular seems to be getting stronger with every game. Collectively, we defended very well and in a game like this it is important to remember that it is not only those who play directly in front of our goal who carry the burden of stopping the opposition from scoring. Everyone has a responsibility of working for the team and that was evident in our play for the duration of the 80 minutes. Sometimes players have to sacrifice their desire to play with freedom and abandon and allow the team to keep its shape in order to secure the result.

It would be wrong to say that we deserved the win because on the day Lymm probably had the edge in terms of the quality of their football, however nobody could deny that we deserved the draw. Yet when your luck is in…With 5 minutes to go we had possession down the left flank and showed that we were still capable of playing a decent bit of football ourselves. With no room available to us we switched the ball to the middle of the park and then quickly to the right flank where George Roberts found himself in plenty of space. George looked up and flighted a fine cross which once more caught the wind like those for Lymm in the first half. On this occasion, however, the ball beat the keeper who misjudged its flight and both keeper and ball ended up in the back of the net.

We will take any victory that comes our way this season, and whilst we know that we face a difficult task away to Millfield in the ISFA Cup next week our third straight win shows that we have a squad of players that is capable of performing with great spirit when the occasion demands.

When I arrived at the pitch the opposition were warming up. I thought they must have brought their first XI by mistake. They were huge!

After 4 minutes we were cut open by a 30 yard run followed by an absolute screamer that you could only stand and admire. My first thoughts were that this was going to be a long night and how do I keep the team feeling positive if this turns into a rout.

But after a quarter of an hour we started to get to grips with the game and from then on we were the better team and by the end the Catholic HS were hanging on by their fingernails to the draw.

I had criticised some of the team on Saturday for being unwilling to do the hard work that is necessary if we really want to be successful. Well I have to say they answered that appeal to their consciences in the best way possible. Every single member of the squad worked and sweated blood for the cause.There was much more though to this performance. We were intelligent, covering for players out of position, supporting each other both physically and verbally. The football at times was quite breathtaking. We passed the ball on the ground over 10 yards so well that the opposition simply could do nothing about it. One particular move involving 10 or 12 passes resulted in a shot on goal that would have surely been a contender for goal of the season. - had it gone in!

If I'm going to be really hard on the team then sometimes we do take a touch or two too many in front of goal. Sometimes you simply need to put your foot through the ball. They won't all go in but some will!

We must take this on now against Mosslands on Saturday, a severe challenge but on today's performance I wouldn't bet against us getting that first win. We must start well and sensibly - not handing the initative to the opposition or by feeling intimidated. The formation we play suits us, intelligent play and total commitment from every player makes us very competitive. Well done but no resting on our laurels.

With the influential Sam Powell absent through injury, we started poorly lacking composure in possession and urgency generally. Slowly but surely, however, the starting XI managed to clear their heads of non-football matters and began to assert themselves and thereafter, whichever eleven players were on the pitch, we produced s