In a thrilling encounter at Club Langley, Beckenham Town KYL U15 showcased they mean business for the coming season, defeating Kings Hill KYL with a commanding scoreline of 5-2.
It was good to kick off on time this week after last weeks debacle. Beckenham Town starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation, having worked on the double pivot in training for the past 2 weeks. KingsHill starting in the 4-4-2 formation that was so successful for them last season, when they convincingly won the KYL east division, impressively winning 20 of their 22 league matches.
An entertaining first quarter saw two evenly matched teams going at each other. Neither able to assert dominance for long Periods without the other responding in kind.
After a short drinks break and personnel rotation, it was KingsHill who quickly found their rhythm. They capitalised on a misplaced long pass from our back line and opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area, sending the away fans into raptures.
The Beckenham defence, playing up Hill on a slanted pitch, were struggling to cope with the KingsHill press. And it was the KingsHill attackers, who continued to probe for openings.
Another misplaced long pass from our under pressure back line whilst playing out, was again pounced upon by Kings Hill, who were now 2-0 up and in full control.
The referee blew for the half time break, which Beckenham needed for a chance to refuel and reset. Also a chance for more player rotations with a number of trialists being given ample time to shine. The break injected new life into Beckenham, and both teams exchanged chances soon after the restart.
It was an error from kingshill whilst trying to play through the Beckenham press that Turkson Appiah seized upon. Picking up the wayward pass, driving forward and smashing the ball past the kingshill keeper.
Moments later Turkson turned provider, slipping past defenders and crossing the ball left footed, to the back post, where Joe Inglis was waiting to volley home, to jubilant celebrations from the Beckenham bench.
With the score at 2-2 Beckenham's midfield, spearheaded by the increasingly dominant Sam Graney began to mount sustained pressure on the KingsHill defence. Beckenham had chances, culminating in another corner, which was headed away by the KingsHill defence, only as far as Sam, who was waiting on the edge of the D. He rifled home a perfectly executed half volley wonder strike from the edge of the area into the top right hand corner, which will surely be a leading contender for goal of the season come the end season.
Kings Hill looked deflated and frustration began to show in their play. Beckenham’s attacking players began to display exceptional skills, and the home support was now cheering on their teams resurgence. when Joe Inglis collected the ball from a thrown in, with his back to goal, on the edge of the area, flicked the ball over the defenders head, and lobbed the keeper. Even the the KingsHill players and bench were applauding what will certainly be one of the goals of the season.
Kings Hill refused to give up, although they were increasingly reckless with their tackles. Causing tempers to flare. Exasperated by a disallowed penalty, much to their dismay. But Beckenham's dominance was evident, and late in the game, Tommy Barbara had put Joe through on goal, only for their keeper to make a decent save. Unfortunately for KingsHill their panicked clearance was as only as far as Turkson Appiah, who once again picked up the loose ball, beat his defender and drilled an early shot across the keeper and into the bottom far corner, ultimately sealing a 5-2 victory.
As the final whistle blew, Beckenham Town celebrated a well-deserved win. The game was much closet than the score line suggested, with standout performances from Max Earwicker standing in goal in the absence of Sami Kechiche. And the instrumental Sam Graney. I must also mention the 2 absolute worldy’s from Sam and Joe.
Today, Beckenham demonstrated their attacking capabilities but also their resilience in the face of adversity, coming back from 2-0 down against a tough team from the KYL North division. Setting a very positive tone for the season opener next week:
