CHESTERFIELD SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION 3
West Killamarsh F.C.....3 AFC Walton......4.
AFC kicked off thier latest campaign in the Napits Chesterfield Sunday League, with a long haul to the outskirts of Rotherham, to pit thier wits against West Killamarsh F.C. The game had to be moved to another ground (Hard Lane Kiveton Park) at the eleventh hour due to the hosts home ground being double booked. With suspensions and injuries ect still kicking in, Benny only had the regulation 16 players to choose from, but despite this a healthy looking squad made the journey. The team boasting just 2 defeats in the last 14 outings in ALL COMPETITIONS, (1 of those the non event @ Glossop in pre season) confidence, not suprisingly was very high. In the starting line up were ALL 3 of Bennys new signings, along with returning to the fold Dean Brown,who had given a good account of himself in the pre-season games.
The game started the usual way with AFC pushing forward from the off, Megyesi's fine ball sending Lytham clear and his inch perfect cross seeing the keeper make an impressive double save, also pushing the rebound clear. The visitors weren't to be denied for long however, Dean Brown set Lytham clear again who in turn crossed for DANNY BROWN to take the ball on and stab home past the advancing keeper. The hosts were finding the AFC's blistering pace something of a problem and found themselves pinned back in thier own half. Dean Brown went close forcing a smart save following a Danny Brown cross on 7 mins. He went close again on 10 mins, glancing a header from a Bettney free kick agonisingly just over.
West Killamarsh were constantly on the back foot with most of thier team camped out inside thier own half, and it was Dean Brown, who's perfect first time pass on 17 mins picked out Danny Brown racing down the wing, his cross however was rushed and drifted harmlessly over the bar. Within a minute a neat Spencer flick saw Danny Brown fire a snap shot across goal and win a corner. The visitors increased the lead on 20 mins when AFC unleashed another side to thier armoury, a Jordan Spencer long throw, that Rory Delap would be "well happy" with, he hauled the ball in and LYTHAM rose to nod home. This started another onslought on the hosts goal, a long range strike from Dean Brown was parried by the keeper, but Lytham fired the rebound over. He made up for that however 3 mins later on 25 mins, Jordan Spencer again nodded the ball on, Danny Brown sliced the defence open with an inch perfect pass, and LYTHAM raced clear and slide the ball past the keeper for 3-0. AFC then eased off and allowed West Killamarsh to start to play, they were punished after 31 mins after just surviving a free kick that flashed inches over Furniss's bar. Within a minute they won a corner after Furniss pushed away a deflected shot, they failed to deal with the resulting kick and the ball ping-ponged in the box till a striker prodded the ball home. They followed this up moments later when a rasping drive flashed just wide. AFC were the team wanting to hear the half time the most at this point, and the reason was made clearer on 43 mins when the ball was lost in midfield, Killamarsh pressed forward and Furniss was left exposed as the striker fired past him. HALF TIME West Killamarsh FC..2 AFC Walton..3.
West Killamarsh started, not surprisingly brighter of the two teams, bouyed by the late comeback. But it was AFC that carved out the first chance of the half on 50 mins. A superb chipped pass from Shane Bennett was expertly pulled down by Dean Brown, but his finish deserted him and he put his shot over the bar. Lytham also went close again on 56 mins, flashing a smart header inches wide from a Danny Brown cross. Masons skill and trickery along with Spencers strength and pace was causing the hosts problems, this with Bettney, Megyesi and Silcock pushing forward at every opportunity, thus allowing the midfield the chance to break from deep. Killamarsh's frustration showed on the hour when they recieved the ONLY caution of the game for a rash tackle in the middle of the park. They then grabbed the equaliser just 1 minute later, that thier play just about deserved. A weak ball out of defence was pounced upon in the middle Killamarsh swept forward and the shot beat Furniss from 20 yards out.
It was then a case of which team wanted the winner the most, and Benny made a very astute substitution on 76 mins,bringing the unluckuy not to start the game Steve Miles on into the heart of defence, this allowed Benny to push Bettney into a more dangerous attacking role, pushing down the wing replacing Danny Brown, who made way in the move. Bettney started spraying passes around bringing Bennett, Goodwin, Spencer and Mason into play and forcing the hosts back into defending. The Heartbreaking FOURTH goal came with just FOUR minutes remaining, another Jordan Spencer long throw missile was launched into the 6 yard box, Lytham flicked smartly on and GOODWIN ghosted in at the back post to slide the ball home to sink the Killamarsh players to thier knees. There was still however time for them to carve out a couple of openings that were expertly dealt with by Miles. And Dean Brown also went close with the goal gaping, when the ball stuck between his feet and he fired well over. FULL TIME West Kilamarsh FC..3 AFC Walton...4. A wonderful 3 points won against a team that gave a great account of themselves and barring the first half hour was an even contest. Other results in Division 3 were.....Black Swan (Ashover)...6 Laburnam..0 / Creswell Black Diamond...3 Staveley All Inn..3 / Silver Birches FC..7 Brickmakers...2 / Wingerworth Barley Mow...7 Hady Bridge..1.
