Wiles Wonder Strike Secures 3 Points

Kingsclere travelled to Southampton to take on QK for their final game in August. QK headed in to the game unbeaten with one win and one draw, whilst Kingsclere had one win and one loss from their opening two games.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides playing a high pressing game. It created a slightly chaotic and error strewn game in teh first ten minutes as each side tried to assert their dominance. When things settled down, along with a large downpour, Kingsclere got in to their stride and started to create some chances. After about 15 minutes Josh Stockwell continued his good form when a cross from Seb Challen was flicked on by Josh Metcalf and Stockwell took a good first touch and finished past the diving keeper. Shortly after a breakaway from Kingsclere created an overload and Metcalf was unable to control the ball when through on goal resulting in a missed opportunity.

From here Kingsclere started to get sloppy in possession, failing to keep it simple, making bad decisions and let QK back in to the game. Some probing play down their left hand side created difficult situations for the Kingsclere back 4 as the half went on. Despite this, it was an attack down the right hand side which gave QK their equaliser when a fortunate touch found its way past Charlie London and leaving only Cam Hickman to beat, the striker duly slotted home. Kingsclere were fortunate to go in to the half time break level when a counter attack split the defence wide open, putting the striker through on goal. A big save from Hickman meant the score was 1-1 at half time.

QK came firing out the blocks in the second half earning some corners in quick succession as Kingsclere struggled to get out of their half. Once things settled down, Kingsclere started to create some more chances and broke the deadlock when Sam Hamilton turned the defender, cut inside and rifled a shot in the bottom corner at the near post for a 2-1 lead.

QK came straight back and put Kingsclere under some pressure. When a clumsy foul at the edge of the box led to a free kick, QK hit the post with the ball deflecting to safety. A few shots from range came in but did little to trouble the Kingsclere goal.

Kingsclere then had the chance to further the lead when Stockwell was upended by the keeper resulting in a Kingsclere penalty. Much to everyone's dismay, Lee Hamilton stepped up and hit the underside of the bar keeping the score at 2-1. Then Mitch Wiles saved his blushes.

8 minutes from time Wiles, on as a substitute for S.Hamilton, danced past a defender, juggled the ball and rifled an unstoppable volley in to the top corner from 20 yards to give Kingsclere a 3-1 win. It truly was a goal that deserved to win the game.

A close battle between the two sides as Kingsclere took their chances well when it mattered. It ultimately proved the difference on the day.