19 November 2005 - Surrey Junior Cup 3rd Round
Frensham 1- Darkside 3
Team: Adrian, Andy, Kev, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Chris K, Craig, Errol, Phill, Steve, Tim
Goals: Chris x2, Kev / Assists: Andy, Ben M, Tim / MOTM: Chris / MM: Andy

It was another cold November morning and the Darkside boys found themselves in unfamiliar territory; Frensham in the 3rd round of the Surrey Cup. This game was a mismatch of disproportionate levels, if only because of the unorthodox line-up that was chosen by the gaffer, with Minty at fullback, Ant moved to centre and most notably Kidwell spearheading the attack.

The game started slowly due to the adverse conditions with possession shared between both sides, with Frensham showing early menace. Though, the first real chance came early in the half, a throw in from left was flicked on by Craig, which left Ben M in with only the keeper to beat, but a good save kept it out.

This awoke Frensham who started creating chances, but through a mixture of solid defending, strong saves from Andy and just 3 offside decisions, they were kept at bay and towards the end of the first half the breakthrough came for Darkside. A throw in from the right was laid off by Ben M to Alan ‘Kev’ Fletcher, who delivered a teasing ball into the box for Errol who clattered into the keeper with the ball rolling into the goal. That started the, ‘did he, didn’t he get a touch’ argument. No chance!

Soon after, Ben M seemed to pull up and a dreaded reoccurrence of the injury suffered a few weeks back had materialised. This lead to a string of Frensham chances, purely as it was harder for the front two to hold on to the ball, so the defence found themselves under increasing pressure. However, with Adrian and Ant winning most of the high balls, and Phill and Steve pushing the wingers down the flanks, Frensham resorted to shots from outside the area.

The half-time whistle blew with Darkside up 1-0.

With no changes at half-time it was as you were for the second half. As at the beginning of the game, both teams started cautiously, though as the midfield started to win the battles Darkside started dominating the play. It was a blow (cheers Kidwell - Ben S) when, ten minutes into the second half, there was a stirring on the sidelines and the injured Little Ben was replaced by Little Little Ben, and in a straight swap Ben S moved up top.

Soon after, Darkside were in dreamland. After an attack by Frensham, goalkeeper Andy played the ball long for Kidwell who managed to get away from the two centre backs, leaving himself with just the keeper to beat. He proved to be a clinical finisher as he coolly slotted past the keeper for his first goal of the season - doubling the lead for the KDFL minnows. But for the next 10mins it was all Frensham trying to find a way back into the tie.

If not for some stalwart play from the team, with Ant getting in some important blocks and Tim and Craig bossing the midfield, Frensham could have pulled themselves backing with a chance. Unfortunately they finally did from a throw down the right, after a bad bounce in the area their forward drove the ball from eight yards into the roof of the net. Game on!

With Frensham pushing for the equaliser the pressure was on. Though as they did it opened up the midfield and now the pendulum swung back for the Darkside. From a corner on the right the ball broke for Tim on the edge of the box whose driven shot found none other than Kidwell on the penalty spot, who finished with the outside of the boot and doubled his tally, moving Darkside into an unassailable lead. Could this versatile player now be challenging Mike and Alan for a place up top?

At 3-1 Frensham went all out, though as previously they didn’t have enough to break down the strong defence, while fitness told and through good play by the Darkside midfield, they created a couple more chances for sub Ben S, including a good penalty shout - turned down, and a chance of a hat-trick for Kidwell with a Ginola moment on the edge of the box. Last shout out for Monkey moment, for Andy, who unluckily was attacked by a dog, whilst dodging a barbed-wire fence.

As the full-time whistle blew, giant killers Darkside had clinched a well deserved win with a ravaged team. When the team are back to full strength, who knows how far the team can go. Though, after a performance like this, there are a few players who have staked their claims for a first team place. Looks like problems for Tanna!

Match report by: Chris