The German�s took a large squad, albeit with no recognised strikers, to the massive Fanling pitch for the friendly game against KCC. This game was the first real test for the German�s this year, on a proper pitch and against a decent First Division side. The "Rolling Subs" rule was again used due to the game being a friendly.
Starting Line-up
Jason Locke
Bill Moitt
Mark Richardson
Alan Pengelly
Andy Davison
Nick Park
Douglas Moyes
Andy Dixon
Stuart Jackets
Willian Reiss De Sausa
Mark Pearson
Substitutes
Stephen Harris (GK)
Mark Stevens
Chris Park
Nick Willows
Steve Baldock
Duncan Boyd
The game started in the manner it continued to until the final whistle with the German�s under constant pressure from KCC, with only our defence and goalkeeper stopping the KCC attacks.
The main problem from the Club Wanderers game in that the German�s were not able to maintain possession was even more apparent here, and was not helped with Moses having to go off early on with stomach pains.
Will showed some nice touches but was having to do all his work from centre midfield, and while Mark Pearson did some hard work in partnership, the strikers were pretty much non-existent.
The first goal was no surprise when it came through a nice defence splitting pass with the KCC player having all the time in the world to score into the left-hand corner. The German defence claimed off-side, but this was clearly wrong.
Jason, starting in goal, was having a fine first half with good handling and control, especially when Andy Davison gave a horrible pass-back which Jason controlled and cleared comfortably. The second goal, however, was a bit of a nightmare for him as a high cross ball from the right landed in the back of the net, when it should have been gathered.
By the 25th minute all the German substitutes had been used, except the goalkeeper, with not much change in the way the game was being played. It was a small triumph for the German�s, therefore, when Nick Park had the first shot on goal which went comfortably over the KCC crossbar.
KCC were constantly pressing and the third goal came just before half-time, with a KCC forward out-jumping the German defence to head into the top right-hand corner from a cross from the right.
The final substitute, Stephen Harris, was brought on for the German�s as the second half got underway.
The game, to be honest, had become a damage limitation exercise and the first 20 minutes of the second half saw KCC�s attacks being scrambled away under their constant barrage.
Several shots just missed the target, while the keeper was kept constantly busy and made a couple of decent saves. Stephen Harris didn�t help himself in relieving the pressure though, by launching the ball immediately back down the field upon receipt. With the German�s trying to get back for each KCC attack, these long balls were comfortably collected by the KCC defense.
He promised he would do it, and he did. Bill gathered the ball and back-heeled it from Alan Pengelly and out of defence. The trouble with these "flair players" is they�re nowhere to be seen when the sleeves need to be rolled up.
Anyway, as against Club Wanderers, as the game came to a close the German�s started to get back into the match, with a couple of half chances. However, this can probably best be explained by the fact that the game was basically over and KCC were cruising.
Also, with the rolling subs, it will be interesting if the German�s will still be able to carry out their customary last quarter of the game resurgence when the real season, and a limit of 3 subs, begins.
KCC got their fourth goal in the last 5 minutes when a cross ball from the left carried to the other side of the box, was headed back in the centre and to a KCC forward, who with all the time he could want, struck the ball into the net.
The final whistle, when it finally came, was the best sound of the afternoon.
Lack of possession (again) and no service to the front men was particularly obvious, while the comment that we need to improve 300% before next weeks opening game against Antonhill is not that far off the mark.
KCC are a good team, but not that good, and the German�s should not have been routed in such a simple manner.
