KingsWay First Eleven Football

Difficult Start to the Season, However, Many Positives to be Taken

Despite the lone point from their opening two fixtures, a positive swell is beginning to generate within the KingsWay camp. Week one's matchup against Elim was one of the more bizarre games of football you'll witness. The eagerness of both teams to get stuck into the season is perhaps to blame for some of the defensive inadequacy on both sides in what was an end-to-end, goal-fest first half. Eight goals in the half meant an entertaining spectacle for all on the sideline, barring coach Jannick Henry, who would have much preferred a greater sense of calmness. This message was passed on during the interval, and KingsWay managed to ascertain control of proceeding in the second period, applying plenty of pressure but not quite being able to grab the lead. Eventually, almost unbelievably, the fifth goal would come from a bicycle kick. Midfielder Nathan Sinclair, delighted to be wearing the much-coveted No10 shirt for 2022, had attempted one of his world-famous-at-KingsWay bicycle efforts which just went over the bar from second half corner. Only five minutes later he would get a second attempt at the bicy, which, he claims to have intentionally bounced over the diving goalkeeper. (Nathan is now owed a 1kg bag of lollies due to an unwise bet taken by KWS coaching staff.) Unfortunately, Elim were able to equalise once again, and KingsWay were made to settle for a slightly disappointing draw.

The second fixture of the year was a Friday evening trip out west to play Massey High School with the van travelling 'Around the World' several times on the way, courtesy of DJ David 'Daniel' Kim. The fact that the match was on turf gave the false promise of some nice football; however, the game was a dogfight in every sense of the word. The home side set the high intensity early with strong tackles, loud communication and direct play. After a slightly shaky opening 10 minutes in which they conceded a goal from outside the box, KingsWay 1St XI found their way into the game and wrestled momentum in their favour to finish the half the stronger of the teams. Every single player stepped up and was counted in the second half, including those off the bench, but, in the end, the away side were unable to find a way past the Massey keeper, who made a succession of good stops. A loss but a much-improved performance from the week before, plus an enjoyable Maccas stop at Westgate on the way home; plenty of positives.

What else is plenty is the amount of mouthwatering first eleven action coming up. On Monday, a home game after school at Jelas Rd in the Knockout Cup, followed by a Friday night Coast Derby versus neighbours Orewa College at Metro Park. With two games in one week scheduled locally, the lads are looking forward to strong levels of support for the navy and gold. Cannot wait for a packed Sanford End Monday afternoon for the magic of the Cup.

Next Fixture: 16th May, v Mt Roskill Grammar School 1ST XI @ KingsWay School, 3.30 PM

KWF COLUMN, 28/4, 2022
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Your (completely irregular) update of all things KingsWay Football
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2021 Season...
For regular readers of KingsWay Football publications, the end of last season must have felt like a substantial cliff-hanger. At the time of the page's most recent post, the first eleven were chasing top spot in A3, with two games to be played and their fate in their own hands. A loss to equal-on-points Howick and the abandonment of the season's final fixture due to Covid meant KingsWay would finish in second place, tied with the school's highest-ever placement within the Auckland league. Unfortunately, due to the season being 'incomplete', College Sport ruled there would be no promotion playoff games for runners-up in 2022. However, there is a great buzz surrounding the 1st XI competing in A3 once again this year, the question being, will they be able to go one step further than last year?
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2022 squad selection...
1. Tom Richardson (GK) [Y13]*
3. Bailey Gillanders [Y11]*
4. Andrew Morrison [Y12]*
5. Zach Coote [Y13]*
6. Brodie Jenden [Y13]*
7. Caleb Noel [Y12]
8. Ramon Donald [Y13]
9. Samuel Marshall [Y13]
10. Nathan Sinclair [Y13]
11. Joel Plummer [Y12]*
12. Luke O'Malley [Y12]*
14. Samuel Howie [Y13]*
15. Asher Harkness [Y13]*
16. David Kim [Y13]*
17. JD Birdwell [Y12]
* first-time selection
Coach: Jannick Henry
Assistant Coach: Scott Werthmann
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Final word...
KingsWay players and coaching staff are eager to build on the success enjoyed by the first eleven the past few seasons with many new faces on board alongside some experienced hands. We are especially grateful to once again have home fixtures at Red Beach Park on a Friday night, under lights, and can't wait to be playing in the electric atmosphere which surrounds each home match. Plenty of exciting action to come, stay tuned!

KingsWay Sign-Off at Red Beach Park in Style

After the holiday break and a second frustrating draw last time out against Lynfield, Kingsway resumed their quest for the title against Mahurangi at the home of football, Red Beach Park—the last home game of their season. In recent games, Matt Henry and Milan Williams have been controlling the midfield in a way that Neymar and Messi can only dream about at PSG. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury to Matt and Vincent Cahill not being fit enough to return to goalkeeping duties meant that a total tactical shake-up was required. With the wisdom of Southgate and Guardiola combined, coaches Jannick Henry and Scott Werthmann put out a 4-2-3-1 formation designed for pressing high, retaining possession, and playing tiki-taka football that is both highly structured yet leaves room for the players to express themselves. First team debuts from the bench were handed to fullback Brodie Jenden and attacker Luke O'Malley.

It took a little bit of time for the players to adjust to the new system, and for the first 15 minutes, there was frustration as Kingsway controlled the game without creating good chances. But soon it was Caleb "The First" Noel who used his pace to latch on to a through ball, finishing confidently and giving the excellent-sized crowd home something to cheer about. Soon after, Sam Marshall had a rare "tap-in" header as the Mahu keeper parried the ball onto his crossbar, and Sam was in the right place at the right time as the ball fell right back to him. The team went into half-time at 2-0 where Coach Henry pulled out all the usual cliches – including (but not limited to) "Treat it like it's 0-0 lads, we win every 50/50, we need to talk more, if in doubt put it out, 2-0 is a dangerous lead…"

These cliches worked a charm—the lads came out firing in the second half. Caleb scored another goal. Joel van Rooyen received a through ball and used his strength to hold off the defender and slot the ball into the bottom corner. And, Milan showed great touch for a big man by turning just outside the area and beating the keeper from distance. Harry Snell danced around a couple of Mahu defenders and then launched an unstoppable shot past the keeper. (Post-match, other players and spectators would claim that the shot was quite stoppable and must have bounced on a worm just before it reached the keeper, but Harry is sticking with the unstoppable story.) In the absence of Milan's regular midfield partner Matt, Milan stepped up to take a free-kick from 30-yards out, bending it like Beckham into the top corner. Such was the pace and whip that Milan's mentor James Ward-Prowse would have been proud to score such a goal himself.

Mahu then got a consolation goal which everyone at Red Beach Park thought was offside, apart from the referee and linesboy. But any disappointment that fill-in goalkeeper Max Jones might have felt surely disappeared when he noticed regular GK Vincent warming up on the sideline. However, Max's chance for a run outfield was not to be. In another tactical masterstroke, Coach Henry put Vincent up front for the last ten minutes. Just like Timo Werner, Vincent got himself into some fantastic positions and, just like Timo, butchered at least five. But, unlike Timo, he then made up for it in the last minute of the game. A cross from Caleb was met by Vincent with a diving, glancing header that nestled into the corner of the net, causing the crowd to go wild. It was a thing of beauty, giving Coach Henry some tough decisions to make as the team head into the last two games. An 8-1 win boosts KingsWay's goal difference as the team heads into a season-defining clash away against Howick on Friday. Second place (and a play-off for promotion next year) is already sown up; however, a win against equal top Howick will go a long way to KWS securing the title and automatic promotion with only two fixtures remaining.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the lads at Red Beach park this year. The atmosphere has been unreal and the lads have thoroughly running out in front of you each week and hope that you've been entertained by some of the football they've played this season too. Best supporters in school football!

Also, a massive thank you to Mr Cahill for providing an incredible match report, constructed in no less than one precious non-contact period.

Next Fixture: 13th August, v Howick 1ST XI @ Macleans College, 6.00 PM

KingsWay Achieve First League Double Over Local Rivals Orewa

The forecast for rain didn't deter KingsWay's passionate fanbase—comprising of students, alumni and staff—from turning out in their droves to witness the Coast Derby at Red Beach Park. Top of the table KWS hosted Orewa College. Up for grabs: local bragging rights and a crucial three points in their quest for promotion. The work of local media outlets and school media influencers meant KingsWay royalty was in attendance; Principal Graeme Budler even spotted braving the elements in his iconic puffer jacket + tie.

As anticipated, things kicked off at a break-neck pace. Both teams pressed with intensity and sought to catch the other out through quick, direct counterattacks. The crunch of every tackle and aerial contest reverberated around Red Beach Park, neither side shying away from the physical battle. This was a derby in every sense of the word. Despite the evenness of early exchanges (and captain Milan Williams attempting his best Raheem Sterling impression at one stage in the centre of the park), it was the visitors who made the early breakthrough—HBC winger Zach Newman slotting home from the edge to the 18 to temporarily hush the home sideline.

The situation went from bad to worse for KWS not long after when goalkeeper Vincent Cahill—some excellent displays under his belt so far between the sticks for the first eleven—was forced off due to an injury sustained in a challenge by Orewa striker. No1 fan turned back-up No1, Ethan "my kit's in the car" Binnie got the nod to replace Vince in the KingsWay goal deputising admirably in his second career 1ST XI appearance.

Now playing for their injured keeper and buoyed by the passionate sideline of supporters, it didn't take long for KingsWay to find an equaliser. A beautifully weighted ball over the top landed at the feet of Noah "yet to receive a nickname" Taylor. After a midweek targeted finishing session for KWS' frontmen, the result was never in doubt; Noah calmly picked his spot and fired into the bottom corner. Quicker than you could say, "Harry, don't dive in!" KingsWay had a second. This time it was their ginger-haired left-back who 'left the keeper scratching his head', firing KingsWay into the lead only minutes after falling behind and losing their keeper. A third goal came from the boot of midfield maestro Matt Henry, extending his record from the penalty spot for KingsWay to 3/3.

At halftime, the message was that the job was only half-done. The lads knew they were 35 minutes away from a memorable league double over a quality Orewa outfit but also knew that seeing out the result would be made anything but easy by their local rivals. When Orewa captain and talismanic midfielder Hunter Struve found the top corner with a cross-turned-shot with still over 20 minutes to play, the drama only increased as OC pushed for an equaliser of their own. In the passion of the closing stages, it was not surprising when the referee issued a second yellow—and therefore red—card to one of the 22 who had started the match. The recipient was Orewa midfielder Jack Brown, given his marching orders with only minutes remaining on the clock.

Three blows of the whistle signalled full time. Both teams shook hands, mutual respect existent after a second hard-fought encounter. The home fans rushed the players. The players signed autographs. Three more points in the bag made it 6 wins on the trot for the 2021 first eleven amid an unbeaten run extending back to win KingsWay beat Orewa away; The navy and gold machine rolls on! (Some may say: The Banter-Bus returns...)

Players now enjoy a two-week winter break before returning to action next term when KingsWay will look to continue their run of form with the chance at achieving the schools highest ever A3 finish. A massive thank you to the fans whose support was tremendous in KW's penultimate Red Beach Park match for 2021. The lads look forward to another huge crowd for their final home match of the season in about a months time.

Next Fixture: 31st July, v Lynfield 1ST XI @ Lynfield College, 10.00 AM

Comeback of Dreams Sends KWS Top

Unbeaten Massey travelled to KingsWay's home, Red Beach Park, on the first Friday in July for their round 9 league encounter. Having beaten KingsWay in the return fixture, the away side arrived confident they could end KingsWay's winning run. Both teams began with intensity, aware of how much was riding on the result regarding the league table.

It was Massey who would break the deadlock, winning the ball high up the pitch and setting their frontman for a neat first touch finish. Massey extended their lead shortly after the half-time break, the referee overruling an offside flag raised by Massey's own lineman. Two goals down, with just over half an hour to play, KingsWay had to dig deep into their character reserves to salvage anything from the match. It was a moment of magic from KingsWay's man in form that sparked KingsWay supporters' hopes of a comeback. The young Caleb Noel, or CN7 as is the label of his newly released line of boots, stuck an outrageous 'swazzed' effort on the half-volley from outside the box, which found its way into the back of the net via the inside of the post. An equaliser came not too long after, Noah Taylor grabbing his first goal for the 1ST XI in a case of what is best described as 'being in the right place at the right time'.

With the scores level, an end to end final 15 minutes lay ahead. Neither KingsWay nor Massey looked content to settle for the draw, both sides pushing players forwards in search of the three points. One player doing his bit to give his team the best chance of victory was the KingsWay's man between the sticks. Consistently performing and a high level in 2021, Vincent Cahill once again made several crucial saves late in the piece to prevent Massey from nabbing a third. Especially in one-v-ones Vincent has saved his side several times this season. At the other end, it was super-substitute on the night, Benjiman Plummer, who made the telling contribution late on. With time well and truly running out, KingsWay won a freekick in Massey's half. Matt Henry lofted a delightful ball into a dangerous area, for it to be met powerfully by the forehead of KingsWay's South African centre-back. Such was the height of Benji's leap and ferocity of the header that the Massey keeper, who had been excellent on the night, had no chance as the ball flew past him and into the back of his net.

Euphoria erupted, subs ran onto the pitch only to be quickly called back off—amongst the chaos, the referee brandished a red card in the direction of a Massey player. Seconds later, the final whistle confirmed a quite spectacular comeback from two goals down, capped by stoppage-time winner. KingsWay's midfield maestro Matt Henry, who finished the night with two assists, summed things up rather eloquently: "That was a lot of fun!"

A massive result for the 'boyos' extending their winning streak to five games and, with Lynfield holding Howick to a draw, means the first eleven go top of A3 with one game to play before the winter break. And a massive game it is, against local rival Orewa College—the Coast Derby. The atmosphere is sure to be electric, the football entertaining. The lads have thoroughly appreciated the support at Red Beach on a Friday night so far this season and would love to get a good crowd out for their second last home game of the year.

Next Fixture: 7th July, v Orewa 1ST XI @ Red Beach Park, 6.00 PM

The KingsWay media team wishes to apologies for a mistake in recent match reporting. It was published that young winger Caleb Noel scored goals in the 43rd and 48th minute in KingsWay's away victory against Elim College. However, this first of these goals was incorrectly credited to Caleb having instead been scored by fullback Jakob 'Jaqob Luis' Lewis, a player whose star is very much on the rise.

The media team was under instruction from coaching staff to do so, so as not to further increase interest being shown in 'Luis' by foreign clubs, especially as Inter Milan are now in the market for a replacement right-back.

It appears that agent/father Kelvin Lewis alerted the authorities of this manoeuvre, not wanting to miss out on any potential agent fee...

[Amended scorecard attached]

First Eleven's Fine Form Continues

Awaydays across the breadth of Auckland City are part of the charm of school football, and the first long-distance trip for the KingsWay 1ST XI this season was a Saturday morning trip to Pakuranga Heights—Elim College the opposition. The absence of skipper Milan Williams meant starts in midfield for twins Nate and Moni Sinclair-Donald, and the armband went to Hazza Snell (only for him to throw it off mid-first-half, citing Mils' biceps being far larger than his). The ref got things underway, KingsWay in the yellow and white of their away kit. Elim appeared to play a style influence by the footballing philosophy of two of the Premier League's recent great minds: strikerless in the mould of Guardiola's Manchester City but boasting the ball retention of Tony Pulis's Stoke City. Despite a Fifa level of possession in the first half, KingsWay found themselves frustrated by Elim's low block, unable to take their chances and nil-all at the half-time interval.

The message at the break was summarised by goalkeeper Vincent Cahill into playing with the three 'Ps': patience, positivity, and pace. The lads took Vincent's half-time motivation on board, none more so than front-man Joel Van Rooyen. Without Milan to deliver for him to score off a corner, Joel decided he would have to score via alternative means. Getting in the right place to receive a lay-off from Noah Taylor from the left-wing, Joel placed his left-footed shot past the keeper and into the back of the net. KingsWay's second and third both would be near replica's of each other, ‘Jaqob Luis’ crossing from the right and Caleb 'not spelt with a K' Noel finishing the move off, securing himself a brace.

[Scorecard and report incorrectly reports goalscorers, amended scorecard in the comments]

A clean sheet, three goals and three points capped off a very satisfying second-half performance and means KingsWay have now won their last three away fixtures. Two massive home engagements are next up on the first eleven calendar. First, Massey—the only team to have beaten KWS thus far, and second, the Coast Derby against on OC team sure to be fired up after losing the reverse fixture 2-0 at their place. Guaranteed exciting action to come; you don't want to miss out. Get down to Red Beach Park to support everyone's favourite school football team. Friday Nights, Under Lights!

Next Fixture: 2nd July, v Massey 1ST XI @ Red Beach Park, 6.00 PM

KingsWay Embark on Unbeaten Run as Season Reaches Midway-Point

Despite a recent absence of action on the KingsWay First Eleven Football media front, there has been plenty of action on the field for the KingsWay first eleven boys football team. (KingsWay First Eleven Football's page is currently looking for a new manager; applications to [email protected] .) Victory against local rivals Orewa was followed by a frustrating 2-2 draw with Lynfield College at Red Beach Park, another side with whom KingsWay has a strong connection dating back several years. However, since dropping those two points, the KingsWay side has hit their stride, winning three games on the bounce, including a cracking 1-niller against top-of-the-table Howick in front of an energetic Red Beach Park crowd.

A highlight in KingsWay's run of form was last Friday night's home triumph against Liston, particularly the opening goal—a polished solo effort that will live long in the memory. Receiving the ball in an advanced position from right-back as he has already so many times this season, Jakob Lewis faced an 18-yard box more congested than the Jelas Rd drop-off zone at ten-past-three. Unfazed, Jakey drove into the heart of the area, sending several Liston defenders with a forceful left-foot stepover before cutting inside and unleashing, low to the keepers right and into the side-netting, a superb finish off his supposedly weaker foot. A rather remarkable way to score your first goal for the first eleven in what is Jakob's fourth and final season in the side. (Since his goal, several reports have described "Jaqob Luis" as "the next Hector Bellerin", with rumours even emerging of a big-money move to one of the European leagues. Crystal Palace-supporting TIC Robert Thompson spent the week dispelling such speculation, insisting his right-back is not for sale under ANY circumstances.)

Other highlights included: first and second 1ST XI strikes for the young Caleb Noel and deep-lying playmaker Matt Henry, the latter's both coming from the spot; and a first 1XI goal from KingsWay's own multisport-'MJ' (eat your heart out Chicago), Maxwell Jones the latest to profit from the pinpoint corner-taking of captain Milan Williams. Special mention also: to Scott Werthmann for guiding the side to victory in his head coaching debut against Mahurangi, stepping up in Jannick's absence; and Ethan Binnie, making his 1ST XI debut receiving a call up from the 2ND XI due to Vincent Cahill suffering from illness. A massive effort from 2021's Head Boy to keep a clean sheet against the league leaders, even making use of a perfectly executed volleyball set-and-spike combination to make crucial intervention from a cross late in the piece.

Unbeaten in their last five, KWS have collected a healthy 16 points from 21 available and sit second in A3, only behind leaders Howick on goal difference. The first eleven will look to continue their good form of late into the 'back seven' as they aim for one of two available promotion places.

Next Fixture: 26th June, v Elim 1ST XI @ Lloyd Elsmore Park, 10.00 AM