11/03/26 Kestrels 4-2 Bedfordshire 1s

Match Report:

Kestrels 4 - 2 Bedfordshire 1s

Goals: Hoffman 1x, Serby 1x, Reeves 2x

Assists: Hoffman 2x, Serby 1x, Reeves 1x

After a sensational 3-0 win against top of the table Bedfordshire at the end of Michaelmas, the lads were hungry to continue our superb form and keep our title hopes alive. Toby was clearly the most keen, showing up 30 minutes to the bus, leaving us with a warm up that left a lot to be desired.

However, we moved, and understood that a win today, and ARU 1s dropping points at DMU, would mean a promotion to division 3 of BUCS. Kick-off was underway. From the off, the fan support was off the charts, with constant chirps from the year 4s in the corner from Bedfordshire Primary shouting “trigger” anytime a Kezzy player touched the ball. Our first chance of the game came when some scrappy play in the middle led to Hoffy, who flicked it around the center back to a running Oscar, who dribbled and took it on his left, finishing through the keepers legs. 1-0 Kezzys. Despite the title hopes being well and truly alive, you would think the nonchalant celebrations meant we were 7-0 down.

The game continued scrappy, with Bedfordshire constantly pinging the ball to their 7 foot striker who clearly was in the wrong sport. Despite his massive stature, Lucas and Toby kept him quiet, until a long throw from their #5 found its way to Luka Doncic, who flicked it into the #10 who finished it, making it 1-1.

The game continued, and the Kezzy’s looked a little rattled after conceding. Constant pressure then led to a cross being cleared to the edge of the box, where their CDM hit it first time into the bottom corner. 2-1 Bedfordshire.

Half-time hit, and a rattled Lucas motivated the lads to understand the importance of this game and getting up for it. We went into the second half fired up, and immediately started firing into challenges. Wongy in particular clearly had something personal with the Bedfordshire LB, absolutely clattering him (and winning the ball) in front of the Bedfordshire fans. Game is back.

Following this, the Kezzys had a quick break down the left wing, with Serby taking it into the middle nicely and laying it to Hoffy 20 yards out, who took a touch to his left foot (right is for walking), and slotted it off the keeper into the bottom left corner. A classic Hoffy celebration was underway, with the boy keen to get the lads to the corner to celebrate, but was told that it was too soon. Fairs. 2-2.

Following this goal, we recognized the opponent goalkeeper must’ve been picked up from the local Tesco 10 minutes before kick-off. Constant sensational wing-back work from Brandon and Wongy, as well as Prezmeck and Fede winning every 50/50, the Kezzys were back to playing prime Abhi ball.

A few minutes later, the Bedfordshire lads thought it would be a smart move to play it back to their recent goalkeeper addition, who attempted to ping the ball out to the striker, only to absolutely fluff it and hit it straight to Hoffy on the floor about 30 yards out. Hoffy then was able to first time fire it into Reeves, who then slotted the ball nicely into an open net. This time the celebrations were well underway, yet was told not to do a knee-slide from Reeves, due to etiquette and “the dry pitch”. Games gone. 3-2 Kezzys.

With the clock running down, and only a few minutes left, we decided it was time to play prime Sean Dyche ball and absolutely park the bus. Substitutes Cam, Frankel and Connel were immense, winning every 50/50 and playing some tidy balls out to Serbs and Reeves. The last minute was here, and a questionable ping into our box was cleared easily, and led to Reeves picking up the ball and driving at the Bedfordshire back-line. He then played a lovely ball to an on-running Serby who deliciously paced around the center-back and slotted it past the keeper. Game over. 4-2 Kezzys. Invincible season completed (don’t mention the amount of draws).

We went into the changing room pumped up at the possibility of promotion, and a DMU masterclass against ARU. However, the dream was short lived as we were told DMU was losing 6-1.

Despite this, this performance created the perfect ending to an amazing season, which all the lads should be proud of.

Player Ratings:

Lobo: 9

Toby: 9

Brandon: 10

BG: 9

Lucas: 9

Wongy: 9

Prezmek: 9

Fede: 9

Reeves: 10

Hoffy: 10

Serby: 10

Subs:

Frankel: 9

Ryaan: 9

Cam: 10

Connal: 10

UTFK, UTFCUAFC 🩵🩵🩵

11.03.26