Match Report

Old Reptonians 2 (Some Guy, The Same Guy who scored the first one)

Old Kings Boys 3 (Camplin M, Corbett J, Evans T)

While last year’s eggs had failed to yield a decent omelette since January, the class of 2007/08 got off to a cracking start with an egg-cellent (ouch) performance away to Old Reptonians. Yet again the fixture lists had been unkind, saddling the team with a long journey to Watford for the opening game of the season. The talk of Arthurian fixture list related conspiracies soon dissipated as excited talk of why the opposition only had nine players on the pitch at 2pm became the pre-match subject of choice. Eyeing the potential for a good start, one player commented:

“We’re great against nine men. Come on ref, let’s start the game.”

Sadly when kick-off came, Old Reptonians had their full compliment of players, but it made little difference in the opening forty five, as the two new debutants Corbett and Tilles (both Class A Waitrose) combined seamlessly with last season’s stalwarts. The Reptonians looked scrambled and panicked, while Kings’ were showing the form and potential that has been so evident in pre-season. However, despite enjoying overwhelming possession the breakthrough just wouldn’t arrive, until an inspired Paul-Ince-alike-against-Holland-in-96 break into the box from Pat Nathanson heralded a sloppy challenge and a stonewall penalty.

After a hefty delay, caused by the school-masterly referee’s interrogation of who exactly from the opposition did call Pat a ‘diving little c**t’, Camplin stepped up to take the penalty. A calm side footed drive into the top corner, striking the stanchion, left the Repton players wondering just who this ball-playing, penalty-taking captain, and all round libero was.

“He should be playing up front with a shot like that”, one was overheard uttering. Elsewhere Si Byng was muttering under his breath: “Every time he takes one for my Sunday team he blasts it ten yards wide…typical.”

As the first half continued so did King’s dominance. With Dave Hitchman and Alex Nathanson providing useful outlets from full-back, the midfield three were picking their passes as will. The opposition stood motionless as one-two after one-two was performed with effortless and devastating execution. The defence was looking solid with keeper Jamie Cuffe prevented from even having to make a save in the first half.

Just as it looked like one goal would be the only fruit of Kings’ first half endeavours, a couple of quick passes sliced the Repton defence opening leaving Tilles to square the ball for Corbett to slide home a debut goal. Two-nil and looking comfortable. Very comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable.

The second half saw one change with Jasper Page returning from injury to take the place of the work-bound Pat Nathanson. And the second half started much as the first one had ended, with their hapless and overweight full-back being skinned by the substitute Page. Unfortunately, and also reminiscent of the first-half, the final ball just wasn’t going the teams’ way.

Suddenly from nowhere, Repton scored. A long ball was chased by their striker who dribbled the ball out over the byline and then back in again. The referee, who momentarily believed we had changed games to ice-hockey, allowed play to continue. The referee, who then momentarily changed from ice-hockey referee to rugby referee, allowed a blatant foul on Tom Evans to go unchecked, leaving the ball at the feet of the Repton player about 25 yards from goal. At this point there seemed little danger, and when the shot dribbled off the players’ boot into the air there seemed even less danger than there had been two seconds before when he hadn’t even shot yet. Two seconds after the ‘even less danger’ the ball was in the back of the net and the game was back on.

Suddenly, where once there had been control, skill, sharp-passing, and confidence, there was now panic, hoofs, missed tackles and no shape. As Repton piled forward in search of an equaliser it seemed only a matter of time before the game was square. With ten minutes to go and Kings’ having negotiated a tricky twenty minute spell the sky’s caved in on the bright start to the season. A cross to the back post saw an unmarked Reptonian fire the ball in to level the scores at 2-2.

At that point it was anyone’s game. Fortunately, the equaliser had the effect of awaking Kings’ from their lackadaisical second half performance. With three or four minutes remaining a break down the right and cross from Page saw the ball sail over everyone beyond the back post. Picking up the ball, Badgett squared it for the on-rushing Evans to strike the ball beyond the despairing (and at least forty year old) keeper. A professional last few minutes saw the Evans goal claim winner status and a valuable first three points on the promotion trail.

A good performance from all merited the victory, despite the second half sticky patch and impressive debuts from Corbett and Tilles bode well for the future. Special mention also to the full-backs who defended and attacked with equal skill.

Man of the Match:

Johnny Corbett

Scores chart in alphabetical order:

Badgett J 0

Camplin M 1

Corbett J 1

Evans T 1

Match Report vs Old Haileyburians

Sir Clive Martin, Clement Attlee, Rudyard Kipling, Lord Allenby, Stirling Moss, Alan Ayckbourn, Simon MacCorkindale, Lord Sainsbury, John McCarthy - we gave your boys one hell of a game… So, as you all know by now, especially if you played, Saturday was a high-scoring, high-incident game that finished all square at 4-4 away at Haileybury. That's the facts, here comes the detail.

Arriving at the rather insalubrious setting of a leisure centre on the outskirts of Hatfield on a overcast Saturday afternoon, King's brought a patched-up side decimated by injuries, all-day drinking sessions, Fulham home games vs Man U etc…, determined to bring the points back down the A1 to civilisation. Having been boosted by the unofficial King's anthem in the changing room we took to the pitch with fire and overpriced cookies in our bellies, knowing that as Haileybury sat only 3 points behind us, this was a real 6 pointer.

One look at the pitch and we knew that it was going to be a difficult afternoon. It was a million miles from the sculpted verdant lawns of Bradfield, with a playing surface like porridge and what looked like an ancient burial mound in the right-back spot. With the foresight that he uses to such great effect at centre-back, Eugene was heard to remark "Lads, on this surface it could end up 9-6 - there's going to be plenty of goals today".

KCSOB lined up with an all-new 4-4-2 formation with Jasper moving up to right midfield, debutant and under-cover King's boy Dave taking up the left midfield berth and James lending an extra pair of feet up front, as we looked to try to pose more of a threat going forward than we had done against Bradfield a week earlier. The stage was set and after some early skirmishes forward and pot-shots from both sides, the first fifteen minutes passed without real incident, although their Kevin Davies-esque battering ram that they had up front was already looking like a handful, especially on the unreliable surface and Jasper was causing them some problems of their own down the right.

First blood went to Haileybury. Their big centre-forward capitalising on some half-hearted tackles to power the ball past the helpless Tyler to put them one ahead. We knew that we needed to up our game to get back into it and started to put some flowing football together as Max provided a great focal point up front with James, Jasper and me running off him and Kumuran pulling the strings behind us. It was no surprise that within 10 minutes, we were level. Another great bit of link-up play in the middle of the park saw James spin to his left and find Jasper with a perfectly weighted ball over their weighty full-back. Jasper sped down the line and unleashed an unstoppable cross-shot from 20 yards into the far corner off the post. 1-1 and game on. Having wrested the initiative back from Haileybury, we went behind just before half-time in disappointing circumstances. This goal was really a tale of two Byngs as Byng Jnr allowed their winger too much room in the box and he crossed for their number 2, sneaking in behind Byng Snr to steer home a volley from 6 yards.

We cam out for the second half determined to put things right and after a half-time reshuffle that saw flu-riddled Eugene come off, we were looking to make an early impression in the second half. In short, the next 15 minutes were an absolute disaster. Two further goals from Haileybury (one of them about 5 yards offside) gave us a mountain to climb - especially going up the hill…

At this point Haileybury, like their esteemed old boy, Stirling Moss, had the chequered flag in sight as they sped past a King's team that had seemingly blown a gasket. How wrong they were. King's fightback began with some honest words amongst the team and a renewed urgency all over the pitch as they started to go through the gears. The first sign of the excitement to come was a Camplin special. Leading by example up front, the skipper received the ball to feet just inside the box and having made half a yard of space, unfurled a curling left-footer into the opposite corner to bring us back to 4-2. Just minutes later, some determined work from Jasper down the right saw him mug their full-back and cross for Dave to mark his debut with a goal from 5 yards.

By now there was panic spreading through the Hertfordshire side as King's poured forward - the "unstoppable force" as Jasper would later christen us, soon added an unstoppable fourth. Once again, the ball was worked well down our right hand side and found its way to Max's feet. In a carbon copy of his first, the skipper turned and shaped a curler into the far corner of the net to bring us level. Cue pandemonium.

I'd love to say that there was only one team that was going to win it now, but that'd be a lie. Both teams had chances with Haileybury's number 2 heading narrowly over and then King's missing a glorious chance to wrap it up after over-elaborating in the box and Dave shooting just over.

Shortly afterwards, the ref blew to bring to an end one of the games of the season that, but for a madcap fifteen minutes, saw us play some of our best attacking football and look really dangerous. Some big positives to take away as well as some rather painful lessons. Special mentions to Jamie for his dogged display at full-back and to James and Jasper for some great link-play, but man of the match goes to the two goal skipper who led the line brilliantly throughout.

Simon Byng

Ps. As there was no tea we are claiming the points under Rule 23 subsection 4.2.

Bradfield Match Report 17/02/07

The mood was buoyant before Saturday’s away fixture against Bradfield. The opposition were on a run of 9 games unbeaten and had recently thrashed Premier League opposition, but we had made a proud return to winning ways in our last game and were fielding ‘arguably’ our best XI. There was a notable return to the side for the heart and soul of the club, James B, after a month out scouting villages in Africa, and a first opportunity to field the centre back pairing of Mark H and Eugene P.

Our pre-match preparation could not have been better. Enthused at the prospect of playing on a fine pitch in an idyllic country setting, everyone arrived over an hour before kick off. The changing room was ringing to the tune of Dogtanian and the three Muskehounds and the team was looking forward to playing some expansive football.

As expected, Eugene P and Mark H provided a very solid base for the team, winning headers and making a number of timely interceptions. There was some good passing through the middle with Simon B, Kumran S and Alex P finding an effective shape and on occasion stringing together some neat triangles. Unfortunately we were not able to fully exploit the width of the pitch and create any clear chances. This was partly due to the ineptitude of our right winger and partly because we were being drawn in from the flanks by some impressive Bradfield keep-ball across the back four. But the King’s XI worked tirelessly and although Bradfield had managed to hit the bar we deserved to go in at half time level.

The game did open up in the second half, with James enjoying some space on the left and linking well with Jasper P and Max C. Max C in particular worked tirelessly as the lone striker, and although sporting a lean physique these days, was forced to take himself off not long into the half. Tom B joined his brother in the ‘midst’ of midfield and Alex P pushed up. However, it was Bradfield who continued to make the most of the wings. Both Jasper and Mike did well to nullify the threat but eventually one of a dwarfish pair of Bradfield’s own brothers managed to penetrate down the right and deliver a dangerous ball. Although the initial threat was cleared the ball fell to their midfielder who struck it sweetly from the edge of the box and found the top corner. There was some post-match discussion about a post-substitution lack of concentration but Bradfield looked the better side and were it not for our solid defence and the ever dependable Andy T between the sticks we could have utterly capitulated. As it was they only managed to extend their lead through another outstanding finish.

It is a credit to the side that it did not end 2-0. After the eccentric, hand waving referee finally saw fit to wave play on in our favour. James B once again found space on the left, he turned his man inside out with a Badge special dummy and pulled the ball back from the by-line for the oncoming Alex P to slot the ball home sweetly with the outside of his boot. A respectable 2-1 defeat left everyone a little dejected but the spirit was soon lifted after Jasper’s ‘Gorilla’s in the mist’ shower joke and an exceptionally good pork and chips spread at the local pub [just chips for the vegetarian Gorillas and Goal scorer]. And it was left for us to consider whether, in light of the defeat, this truly was our best XI? Clearly the Myers brothers were missed, and it is obviously a sad irony that it is Pat N’s passion for football that has prevented him from playing recently. We also need someone to control the word count and content on these match reports.

King’s Wimbledon Old Boys FC vs Old Chigwellians

Saturday 27th January. Kick Off 2pm. WBL.

  King’s headed into their first game of 2007 on a poor run of form. Following the mauling suffered in their previous fixture King’s were looking for a much needed performance and result. What transpired was the performance of the season so far, in this, their first year playing in the Arthurian League. When the home team arrived at the WBL changing rooms an hour or so before kick off they found the entire Chigwell team changed and ready, strolling out towards the pitch. The opposition’s approach was in stark contrast to the week before - when they had arrived well over an hour late only for the game to be abandoned. The message sent out was clear: Chigwell had come for all three points. After a last minute kit change, due to the supposedly washed home kit being damp, muddy and smelly, King’s made their way out for an extensive warm up led by their slightly under the weather captain and manager Max Camplin.

  Camplin utilised Kings’ large squad size to give debuts to two players, Max Myers and Joel Lambregts. Both had impressed at training and were keen to impress in order to cement their first team places - in the absence of several high profile holidaying players. It was good to see Simon Byng back in a King’s shirt after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Joe Myers and Jamie Cuffe also coming back into the fold. In the first half both sides exchanged many chances. The game ebbed and flowed and was very open. Max Myers hit a post early on and Chigwell had a goal disallowed. The referee correctly ruling that one of their players was offside when their initial move had started. Simon Byng gave the King’s midfield an extra bite putting in tough challenges all over the park, one in particular was a “24 studder.” The Chigwell keeper made a fantastic save tipping a Camplin left foot special onto and over the crossbar. Lambregts continued to make an impression down the left and with a bit more luck and a better, less bobbly, surface would have surely scored. Nathanson was equally as effective on the right wing, continually taking on his opposite man and creating chances for his teammates. The twinkle towed right winger was well on his way to having his best game for King’s. Despite all this Chigwell opened the scoring just before half time. A long grass(mud)-cutter Chigwellian through ball was not cut out by the King’s defence and their striker scored with a neat finish. Andy Tyler who so far had saved brilliantly and dealt well with anything that was thrown at him was powerless to stop the goal. At half time Camplin, Hopkins and Surenthirathas rallied the troops. The message to the team was that we were playing well, creating chances and scoring would be inevitable.

  King’s began to press for an equaliser. The defensive insecurities sometimes shown in the first half gave way to a resolve not to concede again. Tyler ,in terms of shot stopping, did not have much to do in the second half. Although he did deal with many a cross well and inspired confidence in his back four Hopkins and Tom Byng began to look more and more assured as King’s began to limit their opponents to hopeful crosses and long throws. Kumaran began to dominate the midfield and game, winning headers and spreading it wide. Max Myers tirelessly ran on to through balls and made challenges. A great debut! Cuffe came on for Lambregts and gave extra security down the left flank. Cuffe used the ball sensibly, economically and with confidence, nearly setting up a goal with his first touch. Still the game was an open one. Chigwell had another goal disallowed for offside, this time a slightly more dubious decision. King’s pushed and pushed for the breakthrough. Camplin ,who had run his socks off despite suffering from flu, made way for Phineas Page who began to hold the ball up equally and extremely well on his own up front. The King’s equaliser came with around fifteen minutes left. Surenthirathas played an intelligent short corner to the unmarked and advancing full back Jasper Page. The right back managed to push the ball to the byeline past an onrushing defender. He then powerfully crossed the ball only for it to be deflected into the net by a hapless Chigwellian centre back. Camplin on the sidelines was grinning like a Cheshire cat, his grin was to get even wider. The belief of the team was back and King’s went for the winner. It came with a couple of minutes to go. Kumaran swung in a deep corner. Hopkins rose and intelligently headed the ball back across goal. Joe Myers connected with an overhead kick which found its way through a crowd of players nestling in the bottom corner of the goal. “That’s my brother, That’s my brother!!” exclaimed the elder Myers (with obvious pride and only a hint of incredulity). The crowd (of two) went into pandemonium. King’s had fought back from a goal down, they were on course for the three points. A couple of minutes remained and after some more determined King’s defending the referee blew the final whistle. 2-1 to King’s and it felt good. Each player played his part in the win and the result provides a great platform for the second half of the season.

 

Team: Andy Tyler, Jasper Page, Mark Hopkins, Tom Byng, Joe Myers, Alex Nathanson, Kumaran Surenthirathas, Max Myers, Simon Byng, Joel Lambregts (sub : Jamie Cuffe 65mins), Max Camplin (sub: Phineas Page 74 mins).

Saturday 26th Novemeber

Home W.B.L

Kings Old Boys 0

Old Malvernians 2

A weakened side took to the field against Old Malvernians, with many key players out King's were forced to field a makeshift midfield. A large down pour just before the game made it look unlikey the game would go ahead and it probably would have been best if it hadn't.

The game was played with large puddles strewd across the pitch making conditions difficult.

The first half saw Old K's playing the better football and looked to be comfortable. However they were unable to turn the domination in to a goal.

A second half goal from Old Malvernians saw them 1-0 up and King's seemed to be short on fight. The midfield duo of Kumran and Evans were sawly missed. The side were hitting too many long balls and lacked fluidity and shape.

A second goal killed us off as frustration boiled Mike Lebus took the dubious honour of being the first player to be sent off in the club's history. King's were dead and burried and recorded their second defeat in a row. Fortunately with a chance to make amends on saturday as we play them again.

Saturday 3rd November - Farnham Common

K.C.S Old boys 2 (Evans 25, Kumran 85)

Old Radleyians 1 (Tommy Hodge)

When we arrived at Radley Old Boys' pitches I am sure a few of the veteran members of the team started having flash backs to last season's early Sunday morning tours of all the grotty parks of south west London. However, there was proof of how far this team has come, when the whole squad was sitting in the changing room more than 45 minutes before kick off, a distant shout from last year's saga of pulling our strips on half an hour late and at the side of the pitch. During the extended warm up the team spent a lot of time sizing up the opposition, trying to identify Tommy Hodge and Tim, the midfield pair who had been described in The Evening Standard not so long ago as "fantastic". After waiting for the referee and the final 3 members of the opposition the game finally kicked off.

King's were keen to extend their run of three straight wins, and probably had the best of the possession in the first 10 minutes, although not too many clear cut chances presented themselves. Tom Byng sent an early warning to the opposition by sending a long throw over the heads of all his team mates huddled in the box. Midway through the first half it turned out that Byng had merely been finding his range, and another perfectly placed throw from the right was deftly flicked on by Kumran and Tom Evans beat his marker to tuck it away with his head.

One of the talking points of the game was the referee, who bore a remarkable resemblance to Mister Pringle. After an early comment of "I get stick from my missus, not from strangers" both teams knew that the referee wouldn't take any prisoners. He then showed that he wouldn’t take any nonsense by booking the younger of the Page brothers for dissent. The rest of the first half was rather uneventful, until a diagonal ball was sent over to the left hand side of the box. A blatant push in Lebus' back went unnoticed by the referee and their swaggering number 10 sent the ball across goal. Just before the ball was forced past Andy Tyler into the Kings Goal, the referee decided that it would be the right time to blow for half time. Much to the bemusement and exasperation of Radley, the official explained that the goal would not stand. Kings jogged off the pitch happy to still have the advantage, while one Radley player refused to give up and asked in vain "So, does the half end when you start blowing you whistle, or finish blowing your whistle."

At half time the captain decided to stick with the same formation and an unchanged King's team trotted out for the second half, which saw Phineas Page playing up front for the first time in his King's career and turning in a solid performance. Badgett and Page also showed that they had lost none of their understanding by linking up well down the left hand side. The second half flew by with half chances at both ends until 10 minutes before then end, when a sliced Radley shot fell into the path of their striker who slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper. The game was level.

King's showed their resilience by keeping their heads up and encouraging each other until the very end. Minutes after the equaliser Kumran whipped in a corner from the left, which looped over the keeper and went in off the post. However, King's celebrations were short lived as the goal was disallowed for a push on the keeper. If there had been cameras at the game, I am sure the replays would have showed that the contact was minimal and that the ref had disallowed a perfectly good goal. Then, with 5 minutes to go another Byng sent another of his deadly long throws into the mêlée and Kumram "Duracell" Surenthesis showed no signs of the hang over he had been complaining about before kick off, by leaping above the defence and heading the ball toward goal. Cries from the opposition of "it's going in" were followed by ecstatic celebrations from the boys in yellow as the ball sailed into the goal.

King's dug deep and managed to hold on to their lead to earn a hard fought and well deserved victory. The pre-match excuses of the sloping pitch, bobbly surface and low sun turned out not to be necessary and King's went home 3 points richer. (M.Lebus)

Man of the Match - Kumran

Saturday 28th October. (Fortress) West Barnes Lane.

K.C.S.O.B.F.C. 4 (Camplin 4, Surenthirathas 13, Pinchin 39, 81)

Old Wykehamists 2 (Jim 57, Bob 66)

Saturday afternoon a crowd of 2 watched the old boys further their challenge for the title.

King's were out nice and early for their traditional warmup, involving some touching the pitch with their hands led by captain Max Camplin (back in the team after a week out with an ankle injury). They were ready and raring to go at kick off, yet the opposition weren't quite ready, let alone raring. They delayed kick off as much as they could, but they couldn't delay it long enough for the last two members of their team to turn up. The game kicked off, with 11 old boys playing against only 9 Wykehamists.

King's were quick to push the advantage home, with two quickfire goals. The first of which came after a nice build up in the midfield led to Kumaran Surenthirathas hitting a lovely flighted ball into the box for Camplin to head home like a player on form. The keeper (who was not the real keeper as he hadn't turned up yet) got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out. King's continued to push hard for another goal, and after a good spell of pressure they won a corner on the left hand side. It was knocked short to Surenthirathas, who dribbled to the edge of the box before lashing the ball through a crowd of players into the roof of the net at the near post. The keeper was unsighted and only reacted after it was past him.

The missing two players turned up, one by one, and the Old Wykehamists looked much more assured and solid at the back. However, they didn't have time to fully organise themselves before a drifted cross to the far post found the head of Alex Pinchin, who rose like a leaping salmon at the back post, despite being sandwiched by two defenders, to head back across the goal to score off the far post. This capped a fine first half performance from King's, who never looked troubled at the back.

The half time break gave the Old Wykehamists a chance to regroup, and that's exactly what they did. The second half began with a good spell of pressure from the visitors, and they were eventually rewarded with a goal. They won a corner, which was chipped into the box. The King's defence expertly cleared the ball and ran up to clear their line. The ball was lofted straight back down the centre of the pitch by the Wykeham centre back, and it landed at the feet of one of four offside Wykehamists. King's screamed for an offside decision, yet the slightly senile referee refused to give it, and that player looped the ball over a stranded Andy Tyler in goal.

King's were dumbfounded, and the Old Wykehamists weren't afraid to capitalise. They continued their search for another goal, and after a corner, the ball rolled out to their midfielder star who swung his left boot at the ball. The fact that he was left footed helped him, and the ball swerved away from the outstretched Tyler into the top right hand corner.

The visitors smelt the whiff of victory, and continued to raid forward. That was to be their undoing as King's created a series of chances on the counter, with the referee turning down a shout for handball in the area, which clearly struck the outstretched arm of the defender. Not to be disheartened, King's kept coming back at Old Wykehamists and finally got the goal they needed to kill the game off. Pinchin was put through, and despite shouts of offside by the visitor's defenders, kept his head to calmly dink the ball over the fast approaching goalkeeper. King's had a few more chances to further add to the lead and the goal tally, but James Badgett somehow managed to miss a sitter from 6 yards, and Surenthirathas, suffering from cramp and one on one with the keeper, chose to lob him from 20 yards, yet scooped the ball onto the top of the net.

K.C.S.O.B.F.C. kept up their marvelous home record with a third straight win, and they go to Radleigh next weekend to try and stretch their unbeaten run to 5 matches.

(Andy Tyler)

21st October 2006 West Barnes Lane

Old KCS Boys 1

Old Aldhemians 0

They say the sign of a good side is one who can play badly and win. Well we certainly did that. After just 5 minutes a through ball to Alex Pinchin saw him drive a great half volley in to the corner of the net. It looked like the flood gates would open and King's would be looking to score a hatful. However King's never really got in to their stride and the passing and movement was not as crisp as it had been the week previously.

Coming in 1-0 at half time, Camplin who had moved in to a managerial role after picking up a knock last week, tried to put things right. He obviously felt he had done enough to warrant us killing off the game, as he headed off to the bar soon after the start of the second half with the rest of our fan base to get the victory party started. Unfortunately Old A’s had other ideas, as the second half saw us even less convincing than the first. Repeatedly Old A’s got round the back and if it wasn’t for a man of the match display from Andy Tyler, who held every cross that came his way as well as making a couple of outstanding saves, we could easily have dropped points. As the cloud cover began to build with 20 minutes on the clock it was looking ominous, Jasper instinctively subbed himself fearing a down pour. Camplin arrived back from the bar with 20 minutes to go with his Guinness and fag expecting to see us easily closing out the game. However we were forced to dig deep, with heavy rain and bright sunshine making playing conditions difficult. It took an assured display from Tom Byng at centre back to help Kings produce their first clean sheet of the season. The highlight of the game came with 15 minutes to go as a classic rainbow could be seen across the lane. It proved to be a good omen, as we held on to pick up the 3 points in front of our biggest crowd of the season and continued our 100% record at the lane.

Next week sees us meet the league leaders in a game that could define our season.

Attendance – 12

Man of the Match – Andy Tyler

Saturday 14th October 2006, West Barnes Lane

Old K’s 5

Old Bradfieldians 3

Following 2 tricky away fixtures, Saturday saw Old K’s host their first ever competitive fixture in the Old Arthurian’s League against an Old Bradfieldians side which had narrowly beaten them 4-3 in a pre-season friendly a few weeks previously.

A combination of one point in two previous games and the biggest over-subscription of players in Old K’s history meant that Badgett wielded the axe and made several changes to the side that drew at Chigwell the previous week. That’s 3 unchanged sides on the bounce- Benitez’s record may soon be under threat….

The game started brightly for Old K’s with a heavily deflected Badgett shot finding the net early on. After a heated debate with the dubious goal panel, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the infamous “side-netting goal” of ‘98, Badgett surprisingly awarded himself the goal.

Old K’s failed to capitalise on their early break through though. A lack of shape in the midfield and some overplaying at the back led first to a Bradfield equaliser, and then to two further Bradfield goals before half time. Fortunately for Old K’s, Camplin’s neat glancing header from a pinpoint Page cross was sandwiched between the Bradfield onslaught.

Still, just before half time, Old K’s were 3-2 down and seemingly battling for a point once more. All was soon to change. First Kumran went close after an excellent move down the right. Then before half time another deflection, this time from a shot from the impressive Alex Pinchin, gave Old K’s a deserved equaliser.

Skipper Camplin delivered one of his now famous hairdryer sessions (he doesn’t usually get to use one) at half time. Some harsh words and a slight change of defensive formation later, Old K’s looked a different side in the second half. Byng’s introduction at centre back seemed to stabilise the defence and Old K’s gave themselves a much more solid base from which to build. The two Pages also impressed, Jasper in particular, obviously galvanised by his pre-match preparation. Bradfield’s star striker, so influential in the previous encounter was anonymous throughout- only briefly surfacing from the imperious Eugene Pooley’s pocket to abuse the ref and narrowly avoid a booking.

In midfield Evans sat in (getting a touch bored) allowing Kumran and Pinchin to push on looking ever more dangerous. Badgett and Pat Nathanson out wide began to run rings around the defence, narrowly failing to add to the Old K’s tally before Pinchin and Camplin both bagged braces to send Old K’s 5-3 up.

With 20 minutes to go, the expected Bradfield onslaught never arrived. They were restricted to long range efforts from their number 10, who handily seemed to be schooled by Frank Lampard’s recent shooting coach. It was indeed Old K’s who looked the more likely to add to their total, with the keeper making good saves to deny Nathanson and Badgett before the final whistle.

After the game the opposition captain graciously conceded that we had been the better side and had deserved to win, although he did comment on what a tough place it was to come, with the crowd so close to the pitch. Old K’s will look to keep their 100% record at Fortress West Barnes Lane ™ against Old Aldenhamians next Saturday. (Tom Evans)

Man of the match: Eugene Pooley

Attendance: 6 (but no Tash)

Saturday 7th October Vs Old Chigwellians (A)

SPIRITED RESISTANCE EARNS OKC DESERVED POINT

The spoils were shared after an entertaining encounter at Old Chigwellians on Saturday. A lively affair ebbed and flowed in the early autumn sunshine, with attacking football played by both sides.

OKC began the afternoon a man down as Patrick Nathanson found himself stranded in a Tower Hamlets Council office. Rumours that the young Nathanson was disgruntled after being subbed at half-time last week were emphatically denied by club officials.

Nonetheless, OKC managed to repel the early Chigwell onslaught. Tackles were flying in and the midfield triumvirate of Phin Page, Teddy Evans and Kumran were doing a fine job of hassling and harrying their opposite numbers.

Then disaster. A seemingly harmless ball found its way to the OC striker who gave Andy Tyler no chance with a blistering shot on the run. The locals erupted and smelt blood. Yet the wounded stag bit back, and with some style. Nathanson, somewhat chastened by the prospect of a half-time Evans “hairdryer”, broke into the OC box before squaring the ball to an unmarked Badgett. With a deft piece of trickery, ‘Il Baggio’s wild air shot bamboozled the defence. The ball ran to Evans who stabbed it towards the net. The two OC defenders made stuttering attempts at a clearance before the ball, with a sigh of apology, trickled over the line.

OKC took heart and each player grew in stature. Byng and Lane were solid at the back, Camplin probed and purloined in his lone role up front, and the full-backs kept their discipline.

However, OC lived up to the pre-match evaluation of OKC East End scout, 7 year old Ernie Briggs, who had earlier informed Badgett that they were “a good side”. They began the second half well and OKC were forced onto the back foot. The breakthrough came after Tyler, who had commanded his area with great assurance, made an uncharacteristic slip under pressure from the livewire no. 10.

OKC recovered their composure, with Kumran pulling the strings in midfield and Camplin looking evermore dangerous by the minute. After spurning a golden opportunity to send Nathanson through, Camplin made amends with 5 minutes remaining. Kumran fed the OKC captain who then turned his man on a sixpence before firing an inviting cross-cum-shot across the face of the goal. The OC centre-back lunged in desperation and turned the ball into his own net. Unfortunately, Camplin’s celebrations were tempered by an attack of severe cramp and OKC resumed play as they had began- one man short. Despite the temporary numerical disadvantage, OKC held out for a morale-boosting first point of the season.

A notoriously difficult place to come, OKC can leave Essex heartened by a brave and committed performance. Another stern test against Old Bradley awaits at the West Barnes Lane fortress on Saturday. (Patrick Nathanson)

Saturday 9th September- OKC vs Bradfield (a)

 

 

A new season, some new players, no defenders, and the best pitch we have probably ever played on provided the backdrop for our first and final friendly of the pre-season. The game started well for the OKC, with the first twenty minutes passing without too much incident. The new 4-3-3 system was showing some promise, while the new look back four (comprising midfielders and strikers) was coping well with the two strikers who wanted to run around alot. However, the curse of last season struck again as we began to lose shape and concentration all over the pitch. Ten minutes later we were three nil down, with all the goals coming from break away moves a la Arsenal and Thierry at their best.

 

After seeing out the last ten minutes of the first half without further embarassment a frank exchange of views was held at half-time, proving the catalyst for a determined and effective second half performance. Straight from the whistle the midfield three of Kumeran, Tom Evans, and Si Byng got hold of the ball and the home team didn't see it for twenty minutes. Patrick Nathanson and James Badgett provided the width down the flanks, while Kumeran and Alex Pinchin began to link well forcing pressure on their back four. Clearcut chances were hard to come by, but the pressure eventually brought reward when a Kumeran corner was headed into his own net by A. Nonymous of Bradfield under pressure from right-back-for-a-day Mike Lebus. Suddenly, the OKC were winning every header, every 50-50 as their strikers got deeper and deeper in a vain attempt to touch the ball. Further breaks followed as the widemen began to find more and more space and within a few minutes of the own goal Alex Pinchin won a penalty after some neat work in the box.

 

On the playground premise that 'I won it, so I'm taking it' Alex stepped up to fire the penalty straight as the goalkeeper and then stretched to poke the rebound into the goalkeeper's grateful hands. As Patrick Nathanson continued to argue that he should have taken is it, as 'he felt like he definitely would have scored' the game continued in the same fashion with OKC to dominating all over the pitch, with special mention for a disciplined midfield performance from Si Byng and Tom Evans. Not long after, Alex Pinchin made amends, firing home from close range after some dubious jostling from P. Nathanson on their much larger centre back. At 3-2 the game was on. A renewed sense of purpose and organisation was continuing to keep the opposition at bay, who had begun to take 30 yard potshots at our new Brazilian keeper.

 

The 100 degree heat was beginning to take its toll on both teams and the game became stretched as OKC pushed on to claim what would have been a deserved equalising goal. Completely out of the blue a skewed defensive clearance across our own box caught everyone out of position and their number 9 fired a shot low into the corner for the decisive strike of the match. At 4-2 the game was won, but the action wasn't over. With literally the last kick of the game, some sensible passing found James Badgett clear in the box. He duly slotted in for a worthy consolation to leave the final score at 4-3.

 

Although the game was lost the second half performance was superb. After a dissappointing first half, the team showed that they had the ability to see what was going wrong and change it. Bradfield may well be one of the better teams we play this year, after dropping out from the top division last year, but on the evidence of Saturday we have nothing to fear. We just need some defenders.

 

A quick pint with the oppo in nearby pub rounded of the day nicely- all in all a hundred times better than Sunday mornings with murderers, armed robbers, and the rest of the criminal elite of South-West London. Well done to everyone for a good performance- there will be better to come no doubt. (Max Camplin)

Season Review OKC magazine

It has been enjoyable debut season for the OKC football, which has seen the first steps towards establishing a successful new branch of the Old Kings Club. The season saw us join a Sunday league, in which we came up against some very talented but rather brutish London sides. Despite a difficult start to the season the team soon found its feet, and discovered a rich vein of form after strengthening the squad in the transfer window. The board had to let some of the dead wood go, but was delighted to announce the high profile signings of the combative midfield pairing of the Archer brothers. Mark ‘the wall’ Hopkins was also brought in to sure things up at the back. The management wanted two quality players in every position and with a squad of 36 Kings Boys from 6 different leavers years, a rotation system was needed to keep Camplin, Evans, Page and some of the other high profile players happy. The season drew to an end with us loitering in a respectable mid table position, just missing out on a late push for a European spot.

This season has been a transitional period for a new team looking to join the top flight of Public School Old Boys football. The Arthurian League is rumoured to be the oldest league in the world, with several FA cup winning teams in its ranks. Our opening game was against Old Radlyiens, who couldn’t cope with our flowing style of football, as we knocked up a comfortable 4-0 win. The enigmatic Tim Barger was recruited as our new keeper and managed to get us our first clean sheet of the season with a heroic display in between the sticks.

This was followed by another rousing 7-3 victory against Westminster Old Boys, maintaining our 100% record in the competition.

We all look forward to what promises to be an exciting season next year. Please get in contact if you are interested in being involved. All age groups more than welcome, as we are keen to add some young blood to an ageing side. Many thanks to all involved this season and bring on the new campaign.

James Badgett

King's Wimbledon OB vs King's Canterbury OB

Saturday May 6th 2006 - Kick Off 2.00pm - Wormwood Scrubs

King's Wimbledon OB continued their good post season form with a hard fought 3-2 victory over King's Canterbury OB. Canterbury started the brighter peppering the Wimbledon goal with some half decent attempts. The makeshift Wimbledon goalie 'Eli - not good but not shit' did well to retrieve the match ball for goal kicks several times (especially as no member of the home team's defence had any intention of retrieving it from half way across the desolate area that is wormwood scrubs). Wimbledon broke the deadlock, perhaps slightly against the run of play, with a well worked set piece. From a corner Tom Evans provided a great delivery into the near post, Phineas Page then deftly nodded the ball down into the far corner of the net. Wimbledon began to take control of the game and were pushing for a second when Canterbury hit them on a breakaway. After a mix up in the midfield area Wimbledon conceded possesion and Canterbury's talented number 7 stole in behind the defence and clipped in an equaliser beyond the stranded Wimbledon keeper.

  The rain became heavier and Wimbledon knew they were to have a tough time of it in the first half especially playing up a slope and into a strong wind however they regained their lead. Ten minutes before half time a trademark Byng Brother long throw caused havoc in the Canterbury box and Phineas Page pounced with a left foot over his shoulder half volley to make it 2-1, his third of the season and happy as larry. On reflection the Canterbury keeper might have done better but in a post match interview he quoted these reasons for letting the goal in :'the power of the shot,the wet conditons and the number of bodies in front of him'. Both sides could have added to their totals before the break but after 30 seconds of injury time the referee blew his whistle to signal halfway.

  At the start of the second half Wimbledon began to dominate the game with Alex Pinchin holding the ball up well and wingers Badgett and Nathanson causing havov in the opposition's defensive flanks. Wimbledon were perhaps spurred on by Patrick Nathanson's comment that they were the proper King's and needed to show it. Midway through the second period Wimbledon consolidated their lead. Again Evans flighted in a great ball from a corner. The ball dropped to Si Byng who rifled in a half volley from just inside the area, the central midfielder showing great technique and composure. 3-1 get in! With Wimbledon pushing forward in numbers Canterbury became increasingly dangerous on the counter attack. After a few scares for the Wimbledon defence Canterbury got their second goal, on the counter attack, but it proved to be too little too late. Wimbledon deserved their victory and now can look forward to a well deserved summer break. Special Mention needs to go to James Badgett for organising the fixture and to Joe Kendle, Eugene Pooley and Phineas Page who all performed admirably in goal. Eugene Pooley was also voted man of the match for his assured display at the back.

Jasper Page

Team : Joe Kendle, Imran Sooluji, Eugene Pooley, Tom Byng, Jasper Page, James Badgett, Thomas Evans(c),Simon Byng,Phineas Page,Patrick Nathanson,Alex Pinchin

Kings OB vs Ampleforth OB

King's OB continued there unbeated record in the competition with a 4-1 win against Ampleforth Old Boys. Despite early domination, King's were finding it difficult to break the deadlock, squandaring a number of chances. It wasn't until midway through the second half that a fine piece of skill from Patrick Nathanson down the left wing slipped the ball in to Alex Pinchin to slot home.

King's at times knocked the ball around fluidly, dominating possesion and demonstrating their superiority across the pitch. It was therefore no suprise when they found a second goal through the talented Nathanson, going in 2-0 up at halftime.

Despite a defensive error early in the second half allowing Ampleforth to score a breakaway goal, the game was never really in doubt and King's scored a third through a headed goal by Imran Sooluji, his first for the club.

The game was finished of with Alex Pinchin putting in a neat flick for his second and the teams 4th.

A relativly straightforward win which takes the side to three wins out of three in qualifaction.

Team: Z.Sooluji, I.Sooluji, Byng, P.Page, J.Page, Badgett, T.Archer, Evans, Kendle, P.Nathanson, Pinchin

Kings OB vs Kings 1st XI 1-2

This year saw the Old Boys fixture reinstated after a few years absence from the calendar.

The current Old Boys side was filled out with a few of last years 1stXI including Tom Roacher, Jamie Seargent and Imran Suluji.

The game was nearly a no-go after a heavy down pour the night before, but fortunately as it was the last game of the season it went ahead. However the boggy conditions underfoot made it difficult for both sides and the Old Boys struggled to play there normal fluid passing game. Despite this, it was the Old Boys who scored first. A sublime piece of skill by Patrick Nathanson on the wing topped off with a neat volley by Tom Evans put the OB’s up 1-0.

The School 1st XI continued to probe and found an equaliser towards the end of the first half. With the team level at the break and a shout of "wind second half" the Old Boys hoped to make their physical advantage tell. Unfortunately both Mr Thomas and the wind had other ideas. The wind died down and Mr Alan Thomas continued to give a series of niggling free kicks against the OB’s, until finally one was bent in to the corner of the net to put the current 1st’s XI 2-1 up. Despite going three at the back and pushing hard for the equaliser the old boys couldn’t find there way back in to the game.

Nonetheless it was a great day as the post mortem continued all afternoon in the pub. Many thanks to all the parents and Old Boys for their support and we look forward to next year when we plan to add a 2nd XI fixture and beat the little blighters.