Missing their talisman striker Matt Pritchard and deciding that they would introduce younger fresher players this season SKCC started the season much changed from the team that finished the previous year. Three players were making their debuts Frank, Aidan and Alex all pulling on the famous yellow shirts for the first time.
SMB won the toss and decided to play down the slope for the first half. A decision which made little difference after only a few minutes when SMB gave away a cheap free kick on the halfway line. Old man Earl stepped up and sent the ball into the box searching out Adam who got met the ball but could only send in it straight in the air, at second attempt he directed it towards Andy Abbott on the right side of the six yard box who lashed home a volley into the roof of the net to give SKCC an early lift.
The rest of the first half continued with clear cut chances few and far between for either side. Each of the debutants grew in stature as the half wore on and started to show touches that show SKCC’s future is in safe hands.
The second half saw yellow wave after yellow wave roll down the hill as the SKCC team found their stride and took full advantage of the slope. It wasn’t long before Frank rose to flick on the ball to Adam on the right side of the penalty who showed the family trait of lobbing the keeper with the deftness of chip.
Josh Heywood entered the fray on 60 mins to replace Adian who’d played well on the left of midfield. Josh made an instant impact juggling the ball past several players before losing it in the area. I think Josh was auditioning for Soccer am’s showboats with some outrageous touches during his 30min cameo. It was Josh and Frank who combined and sent the ball across the six yard line where Adam twisted and lashed home a great shot to make it 3-0.
Enjoying a lot of possession the midfield of Rolfe and Coombs were starting to spray the ball about and find space with Rolfe slipping Josh through on goal to slot home calmly.
Adam was sniffing out his hat-trick and came close towards the end when Josh sent the ball right across the field to old man Earl who was miles out of position on the right wing who then put the ball right on Adam’s head 4 yards out at the back post only for it to rattle the upright and roll along but alas not over the goal line!
Credit must go to SMB who made it a good game and played in an excellent spirit and weren’t without their own chance but both poor finishing and the giant frame of Lambie in goal kept them at bay.
All in all an encouraging win for SKCC.
