KENILWORTH SPORTING 0-3 WAKE GREEN AMATEURS: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT REPORT + SCREENSHOTS FROM THE VIDEO CLIPS...

 Kenilworth Dominated By Awake Wake Green…

Kenilworth Sporting 0-3 Wake Green Amateurs

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

The Wakes were awake from the start of this match and immediately took a stranglehold, scoring early, missing a few more chances, then going into the break 0-2 ahead. Sporting, admittedly being without the ex-Coventry Rangers midfield trio of Jordan Powell, Joe Gardner and James Chappell, were unable to cope with the often smart passing of their guests. Kenilworth were also too often in retreat from the movement and threat of striker Damian Kelly, the pace and trickery of Josh Crampton and Adam Turner, plus the deep lying effectiveness of visiting skipper Nate Percival.  

Before the interval, the hosts managed to concern the Wakes only a couple of times, first when a low centre from the left by Callum James rolled just too far in front of frustrated striker Jordan Brandish, then when Evan Osbourne’s right-side centre was blocked by the upper arm of impressive Wakes’ left-back Kiaeem Gayle. There was no intent, surely, as he was turning his back when he jumped and the incident looked to have occurred outside the 18 yard box.

BRANDISH CAN'T GET A FOOT TO JAMES' PASS...

OSBOURNE'S CENTRE STRIKES GAYLE...

After the interval, although their control was still evident, the Wakes seemed to be content to play more of a possession game, especially after Kelly had grabbed his second goal. Indeed, the rangy forward was also denied by a decent save from home gloveman Paul Lawrence, as the goalie rushed out, before Kelly missed a spot-kick.

PREW WINS A PENALTY FOR THE WAKES...

Wakes’ replacement Harry Prew had been fouled by Osbourne but Kelly’s penalty rose wide of the right post, although from the the offensive right touchline, it did at first seem that the ball had entered the net. However, it had struck the protective netting behind the goal-frame and I was just able to realise that fact on the commentary, before sounding like a total idiot.… Later, Kelly got clear of the ponderous Kenilworth defence again but clipped his rising shot off target again, as Lawrence raced from goal.

KELLY'S SPOT-KICK REBOUNDS FROM THE NET BEHIND THE GOAL-FRAME...

KELLY'S SHOT WOULD FLY WIDE...

The goals…   

The early strike for the Wakes stemmed from a good, quick rush to the left byeline by Turner who switched inside defender Sean Woodfield and threaded a pass across the 6-yard box where Nate Percival steered an unhindered first-time touch past Lawrence. 

TURNER RUNS TO THE BYELINE...

...& NATE PERCIVAL TURNS TURNER'S DELIVERY INTO THE NET...

...FOR 0-1...

Goal two was similarly dispatched by Kelly at the right post, after a right-flank corner by Percival had been headed forward by the evergreen Dan Dineen, whose presence on the pitch was integral to his team’s ascendancy.

DINEEN HEADS NATE PERCIVAL'S CORNER GOALWARDS...

...FOR KELLY TO FLICK THE BALL INTO THE NET...

...& IT'S 0-2...

I was fortunate to capture any part of goal three, as the set-up happened quickly and right in front of me, where the linesperson stood. I think it was Percival (Nate, not Lewis) who stabbed the ball forward to release Kelly but the official obviously moved in that direction too and I had to press the record button when she had gone from view. Kelly shot immediately as I began to record and I just about captured his calm effort which beat the advancing Lawrence from 17 yards. 

KELLY RACES CLEAR...

...FOR 0-3...

The final words…

Kenilworth battled gamely on throughout a match in which they struggled to create much offense of their own, only managing a couple of weak second period efforts at Wakes’ goalminder Joe Beale who likely enjoyed his afternoon in the March sunshine, watching the buzzard glide and listening to the chiffchaff in the trees near the allotments… Even when all five Wake Green substitutes were on the field, the balance of play was barely affected.

The guests’ other efforts at goal in the opening 45 were a free-kick from downtown by Dineen which passed by the left upright, a powerful Turner shot over the crossbar and a low delivery across the face of goal by the threatening Turner. However, another ex-Coventry Rangers player, George Swain, who could not be faulted for his industry on the day, three times prevented a goal when first he blocked a low Nate Percival shot, then he blocked the rebound effort by the busy, comfortable and effective Wakes’ midfielder Sam Lloyd, who he then tackled as the third attempt at goal was about to be struck… Selfless defending by Swain…

TURNER FIRES TOO HIGH...

After half-time, the hard working Crampton drove an effort just wide of the left stick, before Kelly scored goal three and then couldn’t complete his hat-trick with any of the other goal chances described above.

THIS DINEEN HEADER WAS GATHERED BY LAWRENCE...

Dineen and Lewis Percival weren’t stretched in defence at all by Sporting, but both Gayle and the rampaging Billy Powles  caused havoc with their offensive wing-play throughout the contest. Xavier Moore was solid in the Amateurs’ midfield and managed a looping header towards goal on one occasion but overall there was little evidence that the game was being played by the team in third place in the division and the team one place below them.

There was no shortage of effort in the home ranks where the two Comaskys, Jake (from the start) and Luke (from the bench) were their lively selves, Tom Hackett, Jobe Worrall and the ebullient Matty Bailey were always visible, although in truth, there was little creativity produced and the Wakes were the physically stronger outfit…

RENNOLDS (15) SEES HIS FREE-KICK EASILY GATHERED BY BEALE...

So, my satnav then chose to take me home to Solihull via Drum Lane (I do have a military drum… Don’t ask…) and the brilliantly named Dirty Lane. When I reached home I realised that the lane had been well named, for the nearside of my car was such a fine piece of brown artwork, I might enter the image of it to try to win the Turner Prize this year…

MUD ART...

THE DRUM...

A subsequent frustrating hour was spent this morning (Sunday 2nd March) trying to check whether was car still dark blue on the passenger side…

The promises…     

The video action was taken solely by myself.

I have not any stolen clips from anyone associated with Helston Athletic FC.

I have a small, hand-held bridge camera, which often fails to focus and sometimes it records lower than it should, which is entirely my own fault.

I commentate whilst the game is going on. Therefore I accept responsibility for any errors and mistaken identities of players. 

I don’t look through the viewfinder either because I watch the match and have no idea what footage there is until I check it all at home…

Please feel free to use any of my work…

Cheers…

The Mowdog…