KIKK (temporarily minus their captain) line up vs Leverstock Green
It was the hottest October day since Tyrannosaurus Rex rather than Carlos Tevez was the talk round the dinner table and KIKK had their first ever home game at Mile End Stadium, first ever Women’s FA Cup tie and first ever (glossy or otherwise!) programme. So far the 2010-11 season had seen the team slightly short of their usual sharpness in a 1-1 draw with Hampstead in their first league match and short of a lot of things in a first half against Carshalton Athletic which saw them trudge in 3-1 down, the final goal seconds before the half-time whistle amid a catalogue of bad decisions. However, the second half of that game witnessed an enthralling and inspiring come-back as the side completely transformed their play and fortunes, and led by a marvellous Sophie le Marchand hat-trick, KIKK shocked the home crowd with a 4-3 victory.
Today’s visitors, Leverstock Green had travelled in from Hertfordshire and KIKK must have had them regretting the effort when, in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, they proceeded to bombard the Leverstock goal from the off. Within twenty minutes, KIKK were 2-0 up with goals from Adriana and Sak, following up a well-placed Sophie Muller header. When, with half an hour gone, Sak then sped through and fired a perfect finish into the bottom corner, it looked the proverbial fun day in the sun for KIKK. Sak was disappointed though not to get her hat-trick when her penalty was well saved and an unfortunate knock meant half-time saw Marcela on in her place.
The defence, led by captain Fran and with Goz impressing in a new role, had rarely been troubled but shortly into the second half, a fine swivel and fierce shot saw Leverstock Green back to 3-1. KIKK began to pile forward again with Lara, who had had an excellent first half as the sole central midfielder but was understandably tired in the heat, replaced by Melissa Nathan-Pepple and with another debutant, Laura Bailey on for Louise, the team were now 3-4-3 and continuing to stretch the opposition.
There was just over an hour on the clock when Sophie Le Marchand accelerated on to a delightful through ball from Emma and tucked home and a few minutes later the same player fizzed a sparkler in the top corner after a good turn inside the box. At 5-1, the match looked (well) done but Leverstock’s captain, who had had a fine game, produced a great long-range effort to bring it back to 5-2. KIKK responded instantly with a calm finish from Sophie M, who had led the line well and although Adriana was forced to go off for the last fifteen minutes with a knee injury, the ten of KIKK looked comfortable, despite the ferocious heat, thanks to the energetic subs’ performances.
Marcela made it seven with ten minutes left and a storming run all the way from defence from Jesse nearly brought her first KIKK goal. The final whistle heralded a 7-2 win and the team jogged across to clap their supporters in the stand (a record crowd of at least 30 footballing connoisseurs – aka friends and family – deserved recognition!). A second round FA Cup tie against local rivals Hampstead awaits and the new KIKK era, in their smart new home, looks promising…
