Our first return to Imber Court this season, since we have switched our home fixtures to Bushy Park. This time as the visiting team as Kingstonian played hosts in our local derby.
We welcomed a couple of new players to the squad, Giles and Cass, and they were both very influential in our new look line up.
I have to say for the first hour we played some of the best football seen by Beavers FC so far. Quality passing – good interchanges – decent tackling. Whilst we did not entirely dominate possession we certainly were dangerous with every attack. However during the first half we still had to be thankful to Marc in goal for a couple of fine saves as Kingstonian demonstrated how quick they could break.
However it was Beavers who took the lead, when JAMES ran onto a through ball, and he fairly thumped it past the keeper, coming out to narrow the angle, into the roof of the net. 1-0.
It was great to see some of the passing with both full backs playing their part.
DJ down the right combining with Cass and Martin T and Joe dangerous down the left – all combining with Chris at centre forward and James pushing on from midfield. Giles and Keith J holding in midfield – with Nick and Phil rock solid at centre back.
Our good play was further rewarded when a foul was committed on the edge of the penalty area and a free kick awarded. DJ took the opportunity to take a quick strike – catching out the Kingstonian defence and keeper – which whistled into the net. 2-0.
Chris created a glorious chance for Joe when he pulled the ball back through two defenders but Joe’s shot went just beyond the far post. It wasn’t long though before Joe got on the score sheet when he pounced on a loose ball that James had chased down and created confusion in the K’s defence. JOE showed great composure in placing the ball over the keeper and the backtracking defender from 30 yards, into the top of the goal. 3-0.

H-T Kingstonian 0 Beavers FC 3

The half-time team talk was easy – ‘just more of the same’ and that’s exactly how we started with the good football and working well as a team. The hard work was rewarded when CHRIS wriggled free from his marking defender, went round the entire Kingstonian defence (Twice) before slamming the ball home into the top corner. Well that was his description after a few vodka and cokes in the afternoon.
The rest of us saw him stumble over the defenders foot, the ball, the keeper and a blade of grass and somehow the ball still ended up in the back of the net. 4-0.
We really should have gone on to score a couple more with a couple of great chances created by DJ and James with crosses in from the right hand side. Guess its best not to mention the fact Joe missed both from within 6 yards !

Then the wheels fell off….

Phil had to withdraw after tweaking a hamstring – and whilst one man shouldn’t make a team we just didn’t look the same without his calming influence at the back. Phil was happy though, he was getting a rub down on the sidelines from Tracey. I foresee afew more 'injuries' in the future.
Kingstonian pulled one back fairly quickly but at 4-1 with 20mins to go we should still have been able to see the game through with a win.
James also had to come off, another hamstring injury, and we inexplicably lost our shape and seemed to sit back – inviting Kingstonian attacks.
In fairness to our opponents they never gave up on the game and they took full advantage. Scoring three times in a matter of minutes they pulled us back to 4-4 and even then in the dyeing minutes they had a great opportunity which brought out a great save from Marc and then a fantastic saving block with his back by Martin T – the birthday boy, which saved us from defeat.

F-T Kingstonian 4 Beavers FC 4

It was a pretty sombre dressing room afterwards having got a draw – chalk and cheese from the dressing room atmosphere last week after we had lost 5-1 in the Cup. Football ‘It’s a funny old game’.

Team Line Up
Marc; DJ, Martin T, Nick, Phil; Keith J, Giles, James; Chris, Cass, Joe
Subs; Stef, Lee, Gibbo, Keith H

Next game 29th November – AFC Wimbledon (away) League