Post by Dave on Dec 3, 2022 9:54:16 GMT
A&S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup 4th Round
Match Referee Ryan Zarezadeh
Final Score Waldon Athletic 2nd 4 Kingsbridge & Kellaton 1
Match Preview
It has been a very long time since I last covered a game at Windmill Hill and decided it was about time I did. A 4th round tie in the A&S Paving Intermediate Cup between two clubs that both play in Division Three of the South Devon Football League.
What a great start to the season Waldon 2nds have made, not just in the league but also a number of the cups they have entered in. They currently sit proudly at the top of the division three tables and are so far unbeaten.
Six wins and one draw from the seven games they have played to date, scoring a massive total of thirty seven goals and only conceding seven. Their last action on the pitch was on the 19th November at home against Newton 66 2nds in the Fred Hewings cup, a game they won by six goals to one.
Waldons 2nd route to the forth round
They received an away walk over in the first round against Bradninch on the 17th September. In the second round they were away to Langtree Lions on the 8th October and won that game by four goals to nil. Another long away trip in the third round against North Tawton and another fine win, this time by five goals to one.
I covered my first ever game featuring Kingsbridge & Kellaton on the 22nd October an away game for them against Brixham Town 2nd. They looked a good strong passing side that day and won the game by three goals to one.
Report On That Game
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/1055/sdfl-brixham-town-kingsbridge-kellaton
Kingsbridge & Kellaton are currently in sixth place in the league table, they have played a total of seven games to date, winning three, drawing one and losing three.
The Kings Route To The Forth Round
In the first round the Kings were at home against Phoenix United 1st and won the game by five goals to nil. Next up was an away fixture against Cheriton Fitzpaine AFC 2nd, at full time the score was two all but the Kings won the penalty shootout.
Their third round tie at home against Beacon Knights FC 1st also went to a penalty shootout which the Kings won after the game ended with the score at three all.
The two clubs have yet to meet in the league this season, the Kings home game against Waldon that was due to be played on the 24th September was postponed. The Kings are due to play Waldon again on 18th February 2023 at Windmill Hill in a league fixture.
Will Waldon’s current form see them into the next round? After the Kings won their last two games in this cup on penalties, Waldon might not fancy the game ending in a draw at fulltime.
It is a cup knockout game and both teams will feel they are in with a very good chance of winning the tie, may the best team win.
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Match Report
A very freezing cold afternoon at Windmill Hill today, the sky was very grey and the pitch showed all the battles that have taken place on it during this very wet spell we have had.
I was not sure if due to the conditions this would be a quality match, but I did not know before the kick-off, just what a quality side the waldon Athletic 2nd team are.
They showed today just why they are top of the division three table, they have to be odds on favourites to clinch the title this season if they keep playing the way they did today.
I watched a good Kingsbridge and Kellaton side beat Brixham Town 2nds a number of weeks ago, but today they were out played and out fought all over the pitch. They failed to create one decent chance on goal and the only goal they did register was an own goal. That’s not to say they did not turn up, the King players worked hard and battled away with very little reward.
Such was the dominance of the Waldon side and the man that made all the magic happen for them was Shane Essam. Two goals and two assists, my man of the match by a country mile.
Ryan blew his whistle and got the game underway and right from the off it was very much all Waldon. They won a number of very early corners but nothing came from them.
But they did not take long to take the lead after they won a free kick out on the left hand side of the pitch. The ball was fired high into the Kings box and Shane Essam rose majestically and headed the ball home.
The Kings then had a chance to get back onto level terms after wining a free kick of their own out on the right hand side of the Waldon box. The ball was fired high to the back post but ended up being headed over the crossbar.
Waldon then added to their lead, a ball was played up to the edge of the box to Shane Essam, he showed his real strength as he held off two defenders and then turned and hit an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
The Kings were then given a lifeline; they won a free kick out on the left and side that was fired into the Waldon box. Wayne Bergin ended up heading the ball into his own net.
But that hope sadly for them did not last very long. Another Waldon free kick was fired high into the Kings box. Shane Essam rose the highest and headed the ball downwards. The ball fell nicely for Bailey Clarke who hit it first time giving the keeper no chance of making a save. It was clear by his celebrations how much that goal meant to him.
Waldon came so close to getting their forth goal just before the halftime break. Joshua Clarke hit a power blaster from the edge of the Kings box that crashed against the right hand post.
Ryan blew up for the end of the first half, the Waldon lads went back to their dressing room, while the Kings stayed out on the pitch.
The second half got underway and goal number four for Waldon soon followed. Another display of pure strength by Shane Essam holding off another strong challenge on him before playing the perfect ball to Joshua Clarke. Josh ran into the Kings box and with just the keeper to beat, picked his spot and fired the ball home.
Eager to get his hat trick, Shane hit a low powerful low shot from 25 yards out that only just went wide of the right hand post. Waldon’s Dan Wayne hit a good shot at goal from the edge of the box that also went just wide of the post.
The Kings were without their regular keeper who I believed broke his nose, but Sam Bond in his place did ever so well to prevent Shane from getting his hat trick. Shane was very close in on goal by the left hand post and got his foot to the ball. Sam somehow managed to block the ball on his goal line with his leg.
So Shane tried again this time 25 yards out but had to stand and watch his effort fly over the bar. The last half chance for Waldon occurred when Terry Hunter did well to work his way into the right hand side of the Kings box. But he leaned back a bit when he took his shot and it flew over the crossbar.
Ryan who had a superb game in the middle blew up for the end of the match and boy was I glad to hear his whistle. Packed the camera away and straight to the car to get the heater on.
As I said Waldon showed real class today, but credit must also go to the King players who never gave up.
My thanks to both clubs for all your help with the team sheet and also for the very warm welcome by the Waldon manager. Thanks to both sets of players for putting on such a good show in such cold conditions.
