Post by Dave on May 9, 2015 11:34:53 GMT
South Devon League Premier Division
Kingsteignton Athletic Vs Upton Athletic
Saturday 9th May 2015 Kick-Off 2.30pm
Venue Broadpark Broadway Road, Kingsteignton
Match Referee Tim Platt
Final Score Kingsteignton Athletic 1 Upton Athletic 6
It’s not been the best of seasons for Kingsteignton Athletic and Upton Athletic, but both clubs know they will be playing in the same South Devon League Premier Division next season.
Until recently Kingsteignton were in danger of dropping down to the first division, but thankfully they put a few results together that saw them move up the table to a place of safety.
Upton I’m sure would have expected to finish higher up the table than they have, while many clubs would be frilled with a six or seventh place finish, is that really good enough for a club like Upton?. To be fair Dartmouth, Watcombe, Buckland 2nds, East Allington and even Waldon have put out strong sides this season. The title race is not over yet, but if I was a betting man my money would be on Buckland 2nds.
In their last game Kingsteignton Athletic lost at home to the mighty Watcombe Wanderers by four goals to nil, a score line that was not unexpected. Upton did not do much better losing at home to Buckland Athletic 2nds by three goals to one.
I have covered a number of Upton games this season and last week watched their second team get a thumping on the Paignton 3G pitch by Roselands. I only ever covered one game featuring Kingsteignton Athletic, which was way back on the 25th May 2013. That day Brixham AFC were praying for a Kingsteignton Athletic win that would then have given them third place in the league and automatic promotion up to the Peninsula League Division One East.
It was the final game of the season and Kingsteignton Athletic were playing local rivals WBB and ended up braking the hearts of all those connected with Brixham AFC when WBB ran out the eventual winners. The game was played at Abrook Park and the Match Official was a certain Mr Steve Bygrave.
Match report of that match here davesworld.proboards.com/thread/208/wbb-kingsteignton-25th-2013
What a great set up at Kingsteignton and I’m still not sure why I have never been to Broadpark before. Firstly thanks to match referee Tim Platt for all his help before the match and just to say before I go any further, what a great game he had. Credit to both sets of players for accepting all the decisions he made and just getting back on with the game. It makes such a welcome change to watch a match and just get on with enjoying the football that is taking place.
Kingsteignton are a very young side who would have learnt a lot this season, something they will be able to take into next season and hopefully enjoy a better season than this one. Upton were without a number of their regular first team players, mainly due to an up and coming cup final they are in. Even the legend Phil Lloyd was named as a sub and he did come on, but more of that latter.
Upton started the game so well and to be honest they must have felt they were in some sort of practise match, due to the time they were having on the ball and all the space they had to play their neat passing game. The Kingsteignton lads just stood off them and did not show enough commitment to go and win the ball. Time after time Kingsteignton were caught out at the back as Upton threaded inch perfect balls in between them for their ever willing front men to run onto.
I do not believe all the names and numbers on the team sheet match up, but I will for now use those names and correct them later if they are wrong.
Upton took a very early lead, in fact it was the first ball played into the Kingsteignton box that was fired home by their number nine Jamie Micklewright. Upton’s number thirteen then hit a cracking shot from just inside the area that crashed onto the crossbar.
But despite all the possession Upton were enjoying, Kingsteignton got back onto level terms. A long through ball was chased down by their number nine (Toby Pullman?) who coolly slotted the ball past Adam Simpson in goal for Upton.
Upton were soon back in front after winning a free kick out on the left hand side just short of the goal area. The ball was sent in high to the back post and Scott Davies headed the ball home. It was soon three one when Upton’s number eight Darren Sowerby scored, but I felt he was well offside when the ball was played through to him, but the goal stood.
It was Upton’s number eight again who got Upton’s forth goal and the best one of the whole match. A cracking powerful drive from all of 25 yards that flew into the top right hand corner of the net. There are not many keepers in the world that could have stopped that ball going in.
Upton should have added another goal to their first half tally when Jamie Micklewright only had the keeper to beat from six yards out, but he sent his shot high over the crossbar. The last ten minutes of the first half was all Kingsteignton, but they were unable to get the ball over the line but came so close to doing so a number of times.
The second half got underway and it was not very long before the Kingsteignton keeper Billy Courtier received his marching orders. He had coming running out of his area and did well to head away a high ball. But it seems the Upton’s number thirteen had his foot up high and caught the keeper in the chest with his boot. The keeper reacted to the challenge leaving the referee no choice but to send him off.
Now down to ten men Kingsteignton started playing some good football and were looking a much better side than they did in the first half. They had a great chance to pull a goal back when they were awarded a penalty. It was taken by their number three Daniel Quinlan? His shot was just the right height to give the Upton keeper a chance of making a save which he did.
Kingsteignton kept pressing looking for a second goal and got caught out again two more times at the back. Upton’s number thirteen who some at the game thought should have got his marching orders along with the Kingsteignton keeper, made it five one to Upton.
Super sub Phil Lloyd took to the field in his trainers complete with purple laces and could not believe his luck when he was played clean in on goal. He steadied himself to take his shot with just the keeper to beat. I believe the ball ended up landing in Newton town centre. Was it a divot? I’m sure Phil will tell us it was lol.
Upton’s number two Steve Northcott had a simple tap in close in to make the final score six one to Upton.
An enjoyable game to watch and I really enjoyed my visit to Broadpark, I will make sure I cover a game there again next season.
