KES Academicals win a closely contested football match against an Old Witleians side.
On Sunday 1st March Patrick Ronane brought a strong Old Witleians side to take on a KES XI. The school side was made up of pupils, staff and two recent leavers Kanso Onumonu and Leslie Caswell as only players over sixteen are allowed to play football against adult sides.
The large crowd on Upper Gurdons was treated to a game of high quality, played in a very sporting manner. The OW’s were in the ascendancy in the first half and Mathew Ford and Adem Soyak dominated the midfield tussles and provided Andrew Richards and Edward Alsford on the flanks and Patrick Ronane in the centre with lots of telling passes. Matt Vowles was forced to make some splendid saves in the first half when it looked like the OWs were certain to score. The half time score was 0-0 and the OWs had the better of the play.
As the game progressed the School gradually took control.
Fred Pennell directed play from the midfield and he was ably supported by Kanso and Leslie.
The school side tried to keep the ball on the ground and their impressive passing caused the OW defence some difficulties. Matthew Girling was outstanding in defence and keeper Nick Morgan got busier as the game went on. The winning goal came towards the end of the game as perhaps fitness began to tell. Fortunately both sides had a large squad so revolving substitutes were employed throughout the game. A quick pass down the left side led to a telling cross that defenders were unable to cut out and defender Moritz Dransfeld was on hand to score from close range. The OW’s made a final effort to draw level but the school defence weathered the storm and deserved their 1-0 victory.
Afterwards players and spectators retired to the newly refurbished Dining Hall for a Sunday roast dinner and for OWs to discuss their memories of days gone by and the many changes that have occurred at the school in recent years.
