SDFL division six

Kingsbridge and Kellaton 3,

Buckland and

Milber 2nds 0

Seven regular team players out, time to call in the old guard.

With five of the players all around the 50 or more mark and four others being 16 and 17-year-olds, this game hardly seemed likely to be the one where the Ks ended their disappointing run of form.

From the off Stuart Joy at centre-half marshalled the team with all players adhering to the game plan.

Normal 'keeper Elliot Bradbury was playing centre-forward with great effort, showing his full array of skills, and it was he who broke the deadlock after a fantastic cross from Robin Balboa, meeting the ball on the volley for a great goal.

The first half continued with Milber pressing hard and Phil Thomas, Matt Tucker, James Blackler and Joy all playing superbly to keep them at bay.

The second half was a continuation of the first, with Milber having most of the possession, but Ks making more of the clear chances, with Olly Harmer on the right and Lee on the left creating mayhem.

Both Jordan Eynon and Bradbury went close on several occasions and Richard Thuel had a fantastic game, being more than up to the task when called upon.

In the centre of the midfield, 16-year-old Chris Thomas ran his socks off, playing well above his young years, and was ably supported by 52-year-old Dave Middleton, who put in a man-of-the-match performance.

Eynon was next to score for Ks, pouncing on a mistake to slot the ball home.

This rattled Milber, causing the game to become even more scrappy, but Ks were ever-willing to match them in this department. The game was finished well by Robin Balboa, scoring from distance to make it a well-earned scoreline.

The match proved that good, old-fashioned hard work and skill can overcome teams, especially when they don't have first-team players helping them out.

The match ball was kindly sponsored by H2 Environmental.