Post by Dave on Sept 18, 2021 9:57:44 GMT
Match Official Phil Willer
Final Score Kingskerswell & Chelston 3 Abbotskerswell 1
Match preview
I decided to cover another South Devon league match this weekend, this time a game from division one. I have covered games featuring both of today’s teams in the past, but not for a good while.
The last Kingskerswell & Chelston match a covered was a George Belli Cup match played at Kingskerswell Playing fields against Buckland Athletic 2nd on the 17th February 2018, a game they lost by three goals to one.
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/665/belli-kingskerswell-chelston-buckland-2018
You have to back even further to discover the last game I covered featuring Abbotskerswell, a Division two Lidstone Cup Quarter Final played against Ashburton at Slade Lane, Abbotskerswell on the 28th February 2015, a game they lost by nine goals to nil.
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/462/lidstone-abbotskerswell-ashburton-28th-2015
Both clubs have lost their opening first match in the new 2021/ 2022 season. Kingskerswell & Chelston were beaten by two goals to one by Waldon Athletic 2nd. Abbotskerswell played Paignton Saints Reserves and lost to them by eight goals to one and will most certainly be looking to improve on that result.
What ever the result, one or both teams will be getting their first points of the season from today’s game, I am sure it is going to be an entertaining match with plenty of goals in it.
Match report
When I looked at this weekend fixtures in the South Devon League, I was shocked to discover out of the thirty games due to be played today, eleven of then did not have an official match referee. This was partly the reason I decided to cover this match as I wanted to see just what effects not having a league referee in the middle would have.
Due to another game being called off elsewhere, the league was able to appoint Phil Willer to be the man in the middle. He arrived later than a referee would normally arrive, but as it turned out this was going to be his third match today.
The match got underway and soon kerswell took control of the match as they did for most of it. With better finishing based on the number of chances they created, they could have won by a higher shoreline than they did.
Kerswells danger man James Horrocks was proving to hard to handle with his strength on the ball and his willing running. He was played in on goal very early, but was caught offside.
The match was only five minutes old when Kerswell should have opened their scoring account. A Kerswell player was clearly pushed in the back inside the Abbots penalty area and Phil Willer had no hesitation pointing to the spot.
Ashley Grimes took the spot kick hitting it low towards the right hand post, The Abbots goalkeeper Samuel Kirtland moved across his goal quickly and stuck out a leg preventing the ball going into the net.
Kerswell were looking to press home the advantage they had gained in the match and Greg McPherson hit a good shot from the edge of the Abbots box that was only just wide of the left hand post.
James Hamilton also had a great chance to put Kerswell in front when a low ball came in close to the Abbots goal from the right hand side, but he scooped his effort over the crossbar somehow,
James Horrocks then found himself in another one on one situation with the Abbots keeper, but his shot lacked any real power to trouble Samuel Kirtland.Kerswells Elliot Crook decided to have a shot from twenty yards out, but his effort went just wide of the left hand post.
With a number of shots being fired at the Abbots goal, there was a danger there would be no match balls left to play with. I find it rather crazy there is no netting behind the goal that is next to the railway line. Its illegal to trespass on the banking behind the green fence.
Abbots were working as hard as they could but could not find a way past the Kerswell defence, but did have what was for them a rare shot at the Kerswell goal. Craig Harry hit a hopeful long range effort that was well saved my Mark Horrocks in goal for Kerswell.
James Horrocks was in on goal again with only the keeper to beat, but once again his shot lacked the necessary power to beat the keeper, but you knew he would not give up trying and would be rewarded during some part of the game for all his hard work.
Ashley Grimes hit a good shot from the edge of the Abbots box that flew over the crossbar, I was starting to think if Kerswell did not start putting some of their chances away, they could find themselves behind with a rare breakaway goal from the Abbots.
The match referee blew up for halftime and Kerswell had nothing to show for their complete dominance of the first half, surly that would change in the second half?
The second half started much the same was as the first half ended with Kerswell well on top. James Horrocks turned neatly on the edge of the Abbots box and got a decent shot away that only just cleared the crossbar.
Kerswell then took a fortunate lead in the match, an Abbots defender tried to clear the ball out of the box, but he was very close to a Kerswell player, the ball hit the kerswell player and flew towards the middle of the goal were James Horrocks was standing completely unmarked, he hit the ball first time into the back of the net.
Kerswells Alex Easson was played in down the right hand side and fired a good shot across the keeper, but Dave Crispin was able to boot the ball off the goal line. Another better shot from James Horrocks brought out a great save from Samuel Kirtland to try and help keep his side in the match.
Samuel Kirtland then made another fine save, but was only able to palm the ball out and up in the air, James Horrocks got his head on the ball but sent it over the crossbar.
From a throw-in Abbots Chris Kucuk hit a very long bending shot that came close to floating inside the right hand post of the Kerswell goal.
Kerswell then added to their lead, Ashley Grimes hit a good shot at goal that once again was well saved by Samuel Kirtland, but he could not hold onto the ball and James Hamilton was able to fire the loose ball home.
Kerswell then soon scored again when Alex Easson sent a cross into the far post area for my name of the match James Horrocks to head home.
I was very pleased to see Abbots get a goal back for all their hard work and effort they put into the match. The goal came out of nowhere, Dave Crispin was a very long way out and he took everyone by surprise when he hit a very powerful shot that dropped just inside the left hand post.
A very enjoyable game to watch, many thanks to both managers for filling in the correct numbers on the team sheet and even more for making it very easy to read the players names.
