Athletico Excelsior v Kingsfield F.C.
Excelsior are still waiting for their first win as they approach this game. A new tactic by the manager saw those who have been appearing in training regularly as first team choices. This saw a few unfamiliar faces on the subs bench, but can't stess enough to the manager what a benefit that move could be for the rest of the season as the lads now seem to realise that their starting place is not written in stone.
First half
Excelsior are not looking fluent in the first 10 minutes looking slightly out of sorts with a new line up. Kingsfield take advantage and start creating chances almost instantly. None pay off early. A chance falls to Excelsior after 10 minutes when a long ball is headed on by Darren Worrall down to the feet of Joe Davies up front. Striking it well with his right foot he smashes it against the legs of the rushing keeper. A bit more composure would have seen a goal as Sean was in space on the left hand side of the six yard box.
Then Kingsfield started to turn the screw. They won what seemed to be an innocuous throw in just in line with the edge of the Excelsior area. The winger launched the ball long and far finding his attacker 2 yards out near the front post. A cheeky backheel and some poor Excelsior defending followed leaving us 0 - 1 down.
Kingsfield piled on the pressure, Excelsior rare chances coming on the counter attack. Kingfield score their second from yet another set piece this time from a freak corner. It was whipped in flashing over the six yard box and curling into the top corner off the post direct from the corner. 0 - 2.
Not a lot happened for the remainder of the first half. Neither team could get a proper hold of the ball. Excelsiors players hadn't turned up yet. The fluid play found in training struggling to transfer to the Sunday. An under the weather Darren Worrall made way for Andy Willacy in the 35th minute but this seemed not to affect Excelsiors overall play though a resurgent Andy was linking up with other players extremely well.
Half Time 0 - 2
Second half and now Excelsior looked up for the up hill struggle ahead. The first goal for Excelsior came quickly with a fantastic ball in from Mark Parker on the left Damo got the faintest of touches on the ball sending it towards Sean who quickly readjusted his feet and caught the ball timed perfectly for a diving header that nestled into the bottom corner. 1 - 2
Excelsior are looking good again dominating the first 15 minutes of the second half. Comfortably retaining possession and keeping Kingsfield at bay.
Sub - Joe Davies off for Jacques McKenna 65 mins
Kingsfield started motoring again. Pushing Excelsior back and forcing them to defend deep. A long ball over the top of the defence found their winger flying towards goal. Chris was straining to get back. He lunged and chopped down the Kingsfield attacker and gave away a penalty and received a yellow card for his trouble. The penalty was dispatched calmly into the bottom corner wrong footing goalkeeper Ross. 1 - 3
Kingsfields final goal came just five minutes later from a throw in again. Allowed to bounce in the area and not cleared it was bundled into the back of the Excelsior net. 1 - 4
Excelsiors second goal came out of nowhere and was definately the best goal of the game. Mark Parker who was trying to find space with the ball ran into a group of defenders he turned and lay the ball off to Sean Lonsdale who (true to form) laced it from 45 yards. It flew like a rocket and over the top of the flailing keeper. Into the top of the net. A great strike. 2 - 4
Excelsior just didn't turn up today and despite good individual performances the link up play and passing was just not up to scratch. Defending at set plays needs a lot of work and when the final whistle blew all heads went down. Need to start playing as a team boys. Its like we don't trust one another and I've said it in previous match reports I know but passing and moving is the future. Lets make them run as much as Kingsfield made us run this Sunday which we are more than capable of and we'll move forward together as a team. UTAE!
