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Magnets Sign Off 2021/22 Season With a Win

21st March 2022

By Mark Waller

Magnets 4 - 2 Old Kingstonians (Friendly) 

Squad: Frost, Lane, Cheng, Sharpe, Dowthwaite, Barnicoat, Beaney C, Jackson, Michael, Green, Majid, Waller

Scorers: Waller 2, Green, Michael

For me this was a pleasant trip down memory lane, playing at Ditton Fields where I spent many happy years playing sport as a KGS schoolboy (albeit hockey was then on grass or redgra). Even better, the OKs featured a number of old friends who who played for KGS 1st XIs in the 1980s. And, to cap it all, the weather was perfect.

Unfortunately, the warm weather seemed to have a soporific affect on the Magnets and we never quite hit the heights of our performance of the previous week. With both sides missing players it took a while for the game to properly get going. Still a bit sleepy, we allowed the OKs to break into the circle and an unmarked forward opened the scoring from close range. The Magnets had several chances to attack but kept getting bogged down in the midfield thanks to misplaced passes and poor decision making. However, we kept plugging away and Waldo was able to equalise with a well-struck first time strike from a loose ball in the circle. We then took the lead following a bit of a melee in the circle with several good chances being spurned before Greeno finally put the ball in the net. OKs came back and were unlucky not to score from several promising breaks down the right flank. They finally got their reward when former SHC 1st XI player Rob Daubeney scored from a short corner.  

Some minor tactical adjustments saw a much improved second half performance and the Magnets started to enjoy more and better possession. The OKs defence was being stretched and we finally made the breakthrough after a good attack down the right led to a PC that was converted by Waldo.

We saved the best until last. A fast flowing exchange of passes between Sharpey Dowthwaite and Waldo ended up with Luke scoring from an acute angle on the left side of the circle - one of our goals of the season.

Once again thanks go to Ray for umpiring, not only this game but throughout the season. His efforts are much appreciated.

So a good 4-2 win and a satisfying end to the season. We enjoyed playing the OKs and look forward to playing them in the league next season.