Match Day 3 of the season saw KFC return to the fortress for a home game facing a new addition to the league AFC South London Initial conditions were looking good with the groundsman filling the crater spotted from our first home fixture and a short shower leaving the pitch with a perfect layer of moisture to cushion the challenges to come.
It was a horror start for Kiwi as AFC South London zipped a ball deep into KFC’s half, it was anyone’s ball but Xavi was caught sleeping losing his man who collected it nicely and drove forward and slipped in their forward, Dom did his best to end the play then and there willing to take a card by flying into the AFC striker with a heavy challenge to stop the progression but it was without reward as advantage is played and AFC South London make the most of the early gift. One to forget 1-0.
Over the next 40 minutes Kiwi were settling into the game nicely with Ben, Sam & Fionn taking control of the middle and were doing well getting all the forwards involved. KFC started to mount pressure on the South London team as we likely racked up half our seasons tally of corners in this match alone but unfortunately the boys were unable to convert any of the chances created.
Tempers started to flair as some big challenges were made which seemed to be consistently followed by off the ball chatter requiring the ref to step in on multiple occasions, once even to break up the gaffer and the south London coach who thought it would be appropriate to charge our dugout while abusing the linesman’s decision. Not on our turf lads. Half time.
After a simple but key message from the gaffer the team looked focused, knowing we were the ones piling the pressure we were itching to get back out. The second half saw much of the same both teams were creating chances and tempers continued to flair until around the 75th minute when Fionn stepped up to a free kick and slotted it nicely in the left corner. It was everything we deserved after the continued pressure by Kiwi FC. 1-1 and all to play for!
The legs were going but after all the pressure we had put on the opposition the boys all knew we could steal a result. On came the reinforcements lead by Jamie who was itching to put an end to the curse. Both teams were hungry for all three points and the off the ball antics didn’t look like the were going anywhere which saw the ref reluctantly start to show cards for both teams. In the dying minutes of the match AFC South London sent a long throw into the box and after a scramble it fell perfectly for the south London striker who tucked it away. 2-1 south London. Kiwi FC we stunned, and bommed on in the last 5. However AFC South London made the most of our heartbreak finishing off another Kiwi mistake to end the game 3-1 and take all three points.
Man of the match was Fionn with a Stellar performance and accompanying goal. An unlucky result but lessons learned, on to the next!
Cheers, Xavi
Goal: Fionn 75’ (Assist: Ben Thomas) MoM: Fionn
