NRG 24 Hour Gym Kent County Football League – Premier Division
Stansfeld (O&B) 2 v 1 Kings Hill FC
Our men’s first team suffer their first defeat of the season in a tightly contested affair against a strong Stansfeld (Oxford & Bermondsey) side. In hot yet windy conditions, it was Stansfeld who started the brightest, forcing Kings Hill to camp inside their own half for the opening 15 minutes. This pressure took its toll and after a free kick was whipped into the back post, Stansfeld’s big centre half rose highest to head across goal to a teammate who headed in from close range to take the lead from what was a well worked set piece.
The goal from Stansfeld kicked Kings Hill into gear, who started to create chances and play in good areas and work the ball forward well. The strong passages of play almost came to fruition when the Stansfeld goalkeeper was forced into an acrobatic near post save from close range. Luke McHugh then went close after flicking the ball over the head of the Stansfeld left back before striking a left footed volley over the bar. Kings Hill were knocking, and it wasn’t long before they worked the ball from the back into the Stansfeld box where Macca hit a low driven shot from a narrow angle that was pushed away by the Stansfeld goalkeeper straight into the path of Kings Hill captain, Ollie Aston who finished from close range.
Kings Hill continued to push on before a ball over the top from Stansfeld earned them a corner on the verge of half time. Miscommunication from the resulting corner saw the ball fall to the Stansfeld forward at the back post who rifled the ball into the back of the net on the verge of half time to send Stansfeld into the break 2-1 up.
The second half saw the game slow down, with substitutes making an impact after the water break, Kings Hill went close on a number of occasions, with balls flashed across the goal and another hitting the bar. It was then Stansfeld’s turn to attack as they had numerous free kicks on the edge of the box that were well dealt with by the Kings Hill defence.
The right winger for Stansfeld found himself on the edge of the Kings Hill box after some intricate play before curling a shot to the far corner forcing a strong save from Kings Hill’s stand in goalkeeper, Tom Slade. With the game entering its final stages, Keaton Courtman went close with an effort from range before Kings Hill found themselves with shots being blocked from all angles inside the Stansfeld box. Ultimately the tireless work from the Stansfeld defenders would pay dividends as they were able to hold on and secure the win in what was an extremely close game.
Sharing his thoughts on the team’s performance, Patrick Lee said:
“A disappointing day unfortunately, but not due to the performance, just the scoreline!
It was our first test against an established side in this league and I thought for good & large spells in the game we dominated possession and gained entry into their final 3rd a lot of the time, unfortunately just not creating as many chances as would of wanted from those opportunities.
Its something for us to reflect on with their two goals being set pieces, so as management we will have a look and see where we can improve in that department, those are the big differences for us now being promoted, just switching off in those moments can be detrimental for us, on another day, we walk away with a result, just not today.
The boys will enjoy having the weeks rest and getting a training session in before another test from a team who has come down from the SCEFL 1.
Its been a great week to start the new season with lots of positives for us to look at as well as some areas to improve, which there will be every week so we just have to keep focusing on developing ourselves and the squad to keep progressing.”
