Goals at last but losing run goes on

28 December 1997, Division 5 at Mannington

KMLC FC 3 Sports Division 6

The Kylies made it four defeats in a row when downed by Sports Division. The same opponents had opened the season over the Kylies with a 5-1 win and went one better here.

The only bright spot was the fact that the team broke their three game scoreless streak Crumbie and Merry were on target but there was also a first goal for Garratt - anticipating Big Al's long clearance, winning a 50/50 with the Sports Division keeper and slamming home.

Powelly made his debut in midfield but would soon be the club's next keeper. Rees won Spoons despite not being in the squad (again.)


Lunt
Farquhar, Cook, Harries, M.Warr
Summers, Powell, Merry, Cox
Garratt, Crumbie

Goals: Crumbie, Merry, Garratt


MVP: Merry
Spoons: Rees


Next match - 4 January 1998 v National Power

Old rivals inflict another defeat

21 December 1997, Division 5 at Mannington

KMLC FC 0 Akers Garage Sports 3

There was no early Christmas present for the Kylies as Akers held them to a blank on their home pitch.

That made it three games without a goal and with Garratt and Sharp (his first appearance for a couple of seasons) up front it's not hard to see why although they shared MVP honours.

Summers, MVP last week after conceding seven, let in three this time in what was to be his last game in the 'keepers shirt. There was a rare appearance for Woolford in the back four too.


Summers
Carpenter, Woolford, Cook, M.Warr
Swatridge, Gould, Merry, Smedley
Sharp, Garratt


MVP: Sharp, Garratt
Spoons: Swatridge


Next match - 28 December v Sports Division

Herculean beating at Lyneham

14 December 1997, Division 5 at Lyneham

AFC Lyneham 7 KMLC FC 0

After a narrow defeat with ten men last week it was a thrashing with 11 to follow up.

Neil was in goal for the first time this season and picked up MVP which shows we must have been up against it. Garratt came off the bench to win Spoons for reasons that are lost in time.

Summers
Carpenter, Cook, Harries, M.Warr
Swatridge, Gould, Payne, Smedley
Cox, Rees
Subs: Garratt for Payne, Kibble


MVP: Summers
Spoons: Garratt


Next match - 21 December v Akers.

Ten man Kylies undone by own goal

7 December 1997, Division 5 at Mannington

KMLC FC 0 Highworth Plough 1

The Highworth Plough became another Kylie rivalry, like with Akers and perhaps away trips to the Lamb at Marlborough.

The Kylies could only muster ten men for this game (we might even have started with nine if my memory's not playing tricks) and Garratt was restored to the keeper's jersey three weeks after his horror show against Cursor to show how desperate we were. It would be the last time he did.

This game saw a fantastic rearguard action from the home team with the game only settled with the unlucky Payne steering a cross into his own goal. Ben, on his second of only four appearances this season was MVP. Richie won Spoons - probably for not turning up as he's not in the team list below.


Garratt
Carpenter, B.Warr, Cook, Harries
Swatridge, Gould, Payne, Crumbie
Cox


MVP: B.Warr
Spoons: Rees


Next match - 14 December v AFC Lyneham

Kylies bounce back with big win

23 November 1997, Division 5 at Mannington

The White House 3 KMLC FC 7

After last week's battering it was important the team got back in the groove. Big Al was back in goal and Stu returned to midfield and the goals flowed, at both ends.

Watty moved onto six for the season but Cox's double brought him just the one behind. Stu scored a pen, Richie got one from the bench but it was Crumbie who took the MVP.

This was to prove a significant win, but not for a good reason...

Lunt
Carpenter, Payne, Swatridge, M.Warr
Farquahar, Crumbie, Gould, Cox
Merry, Watling
Subs: Cook for M.Warr, Harries for Farquhar, Rees for Cox

Goals: Cox 2, Rees, Crumbie, Gould p, Watling, Merry


MVP:Crumbie
Spoons: Gould, Farquhar


Next match - 7 December v Highworth Plough

Cursor hit Kylies for six

16 November 1997, Division 5 at Mannington

KMLC FC 0 Cursor Graphic 6

Two weeks after beating these opponents the Kylies were dealt a massive defeat. What was the difference from the previous game. Well, Garratt, three weeks after his MVP winning performance against Swindon Police, turned in an absolute horror show in goal.

Three down at the break Merry pleaded with the manager to hook the keeper and save him from further punishment. Gouldy stayed with the hapless keeper for the second half and three more went in, but only two were his fault. Amazingly the Spoons was shared with Coxy.


Garratt
Carpenter, Smedley, Swatridge, M.Warr
Farquhar, Crumbie, Harries, Cox
Merry, Watling
Subs: Gould for Harries, Payne for Smedley, Hobbs for Farquhar


MVP: Watling, Merry
Spoons: Garratt, Cox


Next match - 23 November v White House

Cursor set adrift on high Cs

2 November 1997, Division 5 at Moredon

Cursor Graphic 2 KMLC FC 3

The odd goal in five in the Kylies favour made it three wins a row (four out of five) and gave the team some (what would prove to be misguided) ambition about the season ahead.

Cox, Cook and Crumbie were the similarly initialled goalscorers that day, shame Carpo couldn't notch to complete the set. Swatty must have been influential in this one as he won MVP. Stu had a share of Spoons without playing for the second time this season.


Lunt
Carpenter, Smedley, Swatridge, Cook
Farquhar, Crumbie, Harries, Cox
Merry, Watling
Sub: Garratt

Goals: Cox, Cook, Crumbie

MVP: Swatridge
Spoons: Cox, Gould, Farquhar


Next match - 16 November v ... Cursor Graphic

Kylies too much for Police

26 October 1997, Division Five at Mannington

KMLC FC 3 Swindon Police 2

Successive wins for the first time this season came courtesy of goals from Watty (taking his tally to five for the campaign) and two from Merry.

Garratt was back between the sticks after his opening day spoons-winning performance and surprisingly earned MVP. Cooky came off the bench to win Spoons for reasons lost in the mists of time.


Garratt
Carpenter, Smedley, Swatridge, M.Warr
Farquhar, Gould, Harries, Rees
Merry, Watling
Subs: Cook for Gould, Summers for Harries

Goals: Merry 2, Watling


MVP: Garratt
Spoons: Cook


Next match - 2 November v Cursor Graphic

Watling sets up Workbase win

19 October 1997, Division Five at Southbrook

Workbase Resources 1 KMLC FC 4

The inconsistent start to the season continued with a comfortable win over Workbase. Stu got his first goal of the season (from the spot), Coxy was on target too but Watty led the way with a brace as the team ran out 4-1 winners.

We had joint MVPs with Swatty (in an unfamiliar defensive role) joining Watty on the top step.

Lunt
Carpenter, Smedley, Swatridge, M.Warr
Farquhar, Gould, Payne, Cox
Merry, Watling
Sub: Garratt

Scorers: Watling 2 Gould pen, Cox

MVP: Watling, Swatridge
Spoons: Cox



Next match - 26 October v Swindon Police

Triple Spoons in Lamb loss

12 October 1997, Division Five at Mannington

KMLC FC 1 The Lamb 2

Marlborough's The Lamb became a regular opponent for the Kylies and we had a terrible record on their ground. This was at home though so I don't know what the excuse was for this defeat.

Harries got his first goal for the club and took the MVP but their were three Spooners - Lunt, Hobbs and Gould which suggests there was quite a malaise running through the team that day. Gouldie didn't even play!


Lunt
Carpenter, Hobbs, Harries, M.Warr
Farquhar, Swatridge, Smedley, Rees
Merry, Watling
Sub: Garratt for Hobbs

Goal: Harries

MVP: Harries
Spoons: Lunt, Hobbs, Gould


Next match - 19 October v Workbase Resources

Rees treble powers Kylies to win

5 October 1997, Division Five at Wanborough

KMLC FC 4 National Power 3

After making his debut last week Richie was the hat-trick hero this week. The team picked up their first win of the season with those three goals plus one off the bench from Coxy to edge out their opponents.

Another debutant this week was Wayne Farquhar. Farky had been involved in some of the 5- and 6-a-sides back in the day and now joined the league team. Richie picked up a deserved MVP and who knows if Spoons was deserved.


Lunt
Payne, Hobbs, Harries, M.Warr
Summers, Gould, Swatridge, Rees
Merry, Watling
Subs: Cox for Merry, Farquhar for Summers, Smedley for Payne

Goals: Rees 3, Cox

MVP: Rees
Spoons: Rees


Next match - 12 October v The Lamb

Honours even in eight-goal thriller

28 September 1997, Division Five at Mannington

KMLC FC 4 The White House 4

For some reason we didn't enter the cups this season. It was either an administrative error or the realisation that it was a waste of money because we's only get knocked out. Whatever. It meant that we had to wait three weeks after the opening day defeat for the next match.

There were another two debutants this week, Rees and Crumbie, both colleagues of Garratt who was absent after the last game's spoons-winning performance. Swatty dropped back to midfield and won MVP. Merry and Watling led the line and both got on the scoresheet.


Lunt
Payne, Hobbs, Harries, M.Warr
Swatridge, Payne, Cox, Rees
Merry, Watling
Subs: Crumbie for Rees, Smedley for Cox, Summers

Goals: Watling, Payne, Merry (p), og

MVP: Swatridge
Spoons: Merry


Next match - 5 October v National Power

Division Five campaign opens in defeat

7 September 1997, Division Five at Swindon Supermarine

Sports Division 5 KMLC FC 1

Despite the late season collapse that cost the Kylies the Division Six title last season the club still did enough to be promoted. The Division Five season didn't start well. It was a taste of things to come.

Garratt was back in goal after missing the previous season through injury and turned in a Spoons-winning performance as the bare eleven turned out. There were two debuts - Cook, the cultured but glass-like defender, and Harries a stylish midfielder who could look after himself.


Garratt
Summers, B.Warr, Cook, M.Warr
Harries, Gould, Hobbs, Cox
Merry, Watling

Goal: Watling

MVP: Watling
Spoons: Garratt


Next match - 28 September v The White House

KMLC25 - The 1992 small-sided season (part two - Oasis Premier League)

(taken from the WE Should Be So Lucky magazine)

In July '92 THE KYLIES shook off their friendly game shackles and ventured into the big time. Summer '92's so called Oasis Premier League was to witness the KYLIES first hand.

THE KYLIES served up rich lashings of mouthwatering football and thoroughly deserved their place in the Finals, qualifying 2nd in their League. THE KYLIES also held the distinction of being the only undefeated team in the Summer League. The way in which we were dumped out of the Finals was neither graceful or sportsmanlike.

Old Town fielded a team of RINGERS and for the first time in THE KYLIES history we were convincingly outclassed. The best game of the campaign was our fine win over Smiths Roofing who won our League and were also narrowly beaten in the Final.

The experience gained from the sortie into competitive football and the fun had along the way was very pleasing to all concerned. The League also proved to be a useful yardstick, measuring our ability against a higher grade of opposition.

THE KYLIES were good ... very good!

SUMMER LEAGUE 92 RESULTS AND STATS

DATE	OPPOSITION	SCORE
02 JUL	FALCONS	3-3
09 JUL	SMITHS ROOFING	4-2
16 JUL	S.D.S.	1-1
23 JUL	STOCK CROSS	5-2
30 JUL	PARIS ST GERMAIN	5-2
06 AUG	HAYDON VALE	7-2
20 AUG	DOLPHIN COMPUTER SERVICES	6-1
27 AUG	BROMWICH ALBION YOUTH TEAM	2-1
PLAY-OFFS
DATE	OPPOSITION	SCORE
03 SEP	OLD TOWN	1-8

Player	Appearances	Goals
Scott Carpenter	5.5	6
Paul Garratt	6.5	0
Stuart Gould	9	12
Kevin Gunning	5.5	0
Kevin Kibble	7.5	5
Ian Merry	2	4
Ben Warr	5.5	4
Matthew Warr	4.5	0
Brian Woolford	8	1

KMLC25 - The 1992 small-sided season (part one)

(From the We Should Be So Lucky magazine)

1992 was our longest season to date with 36 fixtures, during which most players received some type of injury which cost them their regular place in the side. Ankles, knees and backs were the main culprits for these enforced lay-offs. Thankfully, these injuries were only minor and all recipients are back to full fitness.

'92 witnessed the demise of the regular Posse Squad and the birth of a new Beast in its place, This new team were a lot more organised and adopted the 'long ball game' in an obvious attempt to unsettle the graceful, rhythmic, finely tuned skills of THE KYLIES. Not to mention any names, it's only fair to say that both members in question were rather left wanting in the hair department. They still couldn't beat us though!

1992 Stats
Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goals For	Goals Against
36	26	6	4	270	145

Player	Appearances	Goals
Paul Garratt	30	0
Stuart Gould	34	100
Kevin Kibble	32	52
Scott Carpenter	25	21
Ben Warr	21	22
Matthew Warr	29	21
Kevin Gunning	20	7
Brian Woolford	33	18
Simon Swatridge	4	7
Ian Merry	8	11
Ian Rainbow	1	0
Chris Howell	2	1
Peter Epps	1	0
Simon Haines	2	1
Mike Williams	1	0
Dean Scourfield	1	0
Alan Pervis	1	0
Jimmy Leonard	1	0
Darren	1	0
Bruce Hendricks	1	2
Own Goals		7

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 - Result and report

Top Table Posse 1
Soakell

v

Kylie Minogue's Love Children 1
B.Warr

(Report from the We Should Be So Lucky magazine)

The performance on the pitch was nowhere near that of the one in the nightclub the previous evening.

THE KYLIES were admittedly up against better opposition than at Luton, but none the less turned in one of their worst displays.

There was no sparkle or zest throughout the team apart from a very well taken goal by BEN WARR which spared the KYLIE blushes.

The scoreline was a very drab 1-1 draw which The Posse well enjoyed.

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (The line-ups - Kylie Minogue's Love Children)

1. Kev Gunning - Only 7 games and 2 knee operations since last year's game. Kev is confined to ruling his own penalty area this time.
2. Paul Garratt - with Kev G between the sticks, where does the regular keeper play? - 'Where he's bloody told to' says Ben, the ever considerate manager.
3. Chris Howell - stunning performance and solo goal v Zimmer at Hreod books the youngster his place.
4. Stuart Gould - two games since a nose operation, the artist of the team is back to his superfit best.
5. Matthew Warr - missed last year's game with an ankle injury that kept him out of a Kylie shirt for untold months. Math will be making up for lost time at the heart of the Kylie defence.
6. Brian Woolford - the defensive titan!
7. Ian Rainbow - Ian's greatest asset could be that living in Derby he will be already acclimatised to the rarefied northern atmosphere.
8. Scott Carpenter - will Carpo shout at himself, his teammates and make a dynamic contribution to the midfield - is wrestling fixed?
9. Ian Merry - 13 goals in only 5 Kylie games, including 7 when these teams met in December. More of the same today please.
10. Kevin Kibble - determined to erase the memory of his heinous miss at Luton, the only Kylie ever-present this year is far more than the bionic toe of last year.
11. Ben Warr - The Manager - if anything goes wrong the balding supremo will carry the can for the whole side. Well, he might five some of them a lift home anyway.

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (The line-ups - Top Table Posse)

1. David 'Sheriff' Rose - Sheriff models himself on Colombian headcase Rene Higuita and has prepared meticulously for today's game by sewing his tracksuit bottoms up.
2. Adrian 'Adey' Bevan - let not his lack of height fool you. This tough tackling terrier will be the one with titanium skid-plates on his boots when the sparks start flying.
3. Andy 'Beef kid' Perfitt - this stylish and skilful defender is luckily able to play today as the game coincides with Bee's extensive tour of Lancs WMCs.
4. Clive Fenwick - a colleague of certain 'posse' members on Sunday mornings, this inspirational defender has agreed to play despite our kit colour clashing with his beads.
5. Richard 'Big man' Timms - following Gordon Strachan's example, the Posse's top stopper has gone on a special burgees-and-Newcastle Brown diet in order to be in top-notch condition for this game.
6. Paul 'Soke' Soakell - the Posse's top scorer last year switches to a roving midfield role but is sure to be followed by a gaggle of adoring chicks wherever he plays - except here.
7. Jamie 'Hooton' Ward - product of the Posse's youth policy. 'Hoot' is a skilful midfielder who has endless stamina, a tidy stopper, and taught Glenn Hoddle all he knows about dead ball situations.
8. David 'MC' Bevan - 'Captain Marvel' of the team and the man with Platt like stamina, despite being one of the wrinklies of the team. The boy Bevan done great, Brian.
9. Jared 'JP' Prothero - scorer of the goal of the century at Dorcan vs Bennetts recently, the Posse's whippet-like forward will be amongst the goals this afternoon...perhaps.
10. John Ball - also the Posse's reserve keeper (useful if Sheriff bangs his head again), mercurial winger John is another Posse youngster. Unorthodio, maverick, unconventional - and that's just his shorts.
11. Neil 'Snowy' 'Keaton' Thompson - man of many nicknames, Neil (only has parents call him that) is an accomplished cricketer but is itching to show what he is capable of, given bigger balls.

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (Preview Part Four - The Build-up)

With Deepdale not being on the doorstep of the two clubs The Kylies travelled up and spent the night before the game in Blackpool.

Here's how the 'We Should Be So Lucky' magazine reported it...

Early Saturday morning the Kylies set off in convoy, heading for the bright lights and Famous Tower of Blackpool. Once there, and having booked into the B&B*, they proceeded to visit the nearest Public House where a few Ales were supped.

Following this came the Leisure Park. Everyone managed to get wet, whilst BEN had the added bonus of losing his much loved Cap. A few were seen to wear a worried look whilst on the Infamous Corkscrew Ride. A Pretty Girl fell prey to the dead eye aim of THE KYLIES and found herself dunked in a tub of water. Some were seen wearing stupid rainproof jackets.

All participated in the evening activity of drinking. BEN was the only one at fault as regards The Trouser Fiasco. Others joined him in going home early when turned away from The Nightclub.

Of those who stayed out BRIAN paraded around the Nightclub looking like Napoleon. MATHEW and Stuart performed The Legendary FUNKY CHICKEN with the added dimension of it being performed at Warp Factor 9, much to the delight of IAN M who himself performed rather well on the dance floor attracting the intentions of a number of Older Women.

Whilst all this was happening MICHAEL showed BRIAN a clean pair of heels when it comes to The Soft Shoe Shuffle and proceeded to chat up and dance with every beautiful girl in The Club.

The morning after saw the beach games aborted ... due to their being no beach!

* This was the Oregon Guest House 

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (Preview Part Three - The Kylies)

Introduction

The Kylie introduction speaks for itself.

History

The Kylie history speaks for itself.

The Team

The Kylie team... er ... speak for themselves.

Who isn't playing

Simon Swatridge - last year's five goal hero is kept out of today's game by work commitments.

Jimmy Leonard - spectacular replacement for Math last year. Jim has an impending birth to consider. All Kylies hope Jim has the right result.

Michael Scott - Six goals in his last Kylie game, then an eye injury (playing for today's opponents), prematurely ends his career. Mike is here as cameraman and morale officer.

Dean Scourfield - Gone to Australia, priorities wrong or what?

Kylie '92 record

Played 15, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 2

Goals for 135, Goals against 78.

	Appearances	Goals
Carpenter	9	11
Garratt	14	0
Gould	14	53
Gunning	3	0
Haines	1	1
Howell	1	1
Kibble	15	29
Merry	2	4
Scourfield	1	0
Swatridge	2	5
Warr B.	9	8
Warr M.	14	12
Williams	1	0
Woolford	14	8
Own goals		3

Thanks

The Kylies would like to thank,

Allied Dunbar, Metalfast, UDO and Caroline for team transport.

The Oregon Guest House, Blackpool.

Chris & Michael Scott for loan and operation of the video camera.

Colin Robson for last year's videoand Soke for reproducing the tapes.

Lancashire FA and Preston Ref's Association.

Ben for typing out the program notes.

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (Preview Part Two - The Opponents - Top Table Posse)

All the preview text and team profiles over the next few posts was taken from the official match programme.

Introduction

The Posse approach the Kenilworth Cup Final looking good and feeling fit, and hoping to avenge last year's 10-2 defeat by the Kylies at the inaugural KC game. Their confidence has been buoyed by a successful Autumn 1991 'friendly' campaign at 6-a-side (played 24, won 15, drew 3, lost 6), and a similarly creditable performance in the Adver Spring 1992 6-a-side league, where, in their first crack at the league, they finished 4th (from 12) in div 3  (22, 12, 4, 6). Indeed, in the Adver league, the Posse harboured championship ambitions until a Man utd-like end of season collapse removed them from competition . During this, goalkeeper Sheriff was carried off after knocking himself out against a post, causing him to turn up pissed for the next 2 games.

History

The nucleus of the side here, since time immemorial, gathered at Level 3's legendary 'Top Table' to while away the weekends in alcoholic stupors. However, the joint attractions of the 'Town's' 1990 Wembley appearance, and a mirror Italian football tournament inspired 'the posse' to indulge in the unhealthy participation of a sport which previously only provided them with away trips to pubs in other town, and general excuses to get pissed on Saturday evenings. From humble beginnings they have forged an even humbler history than 'Halifax under-ll Brownie pack 2nd 11 Athletic', and there fore approach today's game determined to defy their rank outsider status, and have a bloody good time doing so.

The Team

Todays team show several changes from last year's beaten finalists (a wise move - ed). Gone are the bishop's lightning win runs, the bullet's over-the-top assault-and-batteries thinly disguised as tackles, and Webby and man-Phil's, er, 'spartan., contributions to the Posse machine. In the place, the Posse turn to their youth policy, in the shape of 'Hooton' and John, and a pair of seasoned and experienced in Clive and 'Beef-kid'. Perhaps a more significant change may be found in the 'trading places' deal between Snowy and Sheriff. Former goalkeeper 'Keatons' bolshy nature will stand him in good stead as a marauding forward in the Mark Hughes mould, and Sheriff's switch to goalie should suit his talent for shouting a bit and falling over, as ably demonstrated last year.

KMLC25 - The Kenilworth Cup 2 (Preview Part One - How it came about)

After the fun times 12 months ago at Luton a second Kenilworth Cup game between Kylie Minogue's Love Children and The Top Table Posse was on the cards.

Preston North End's Deepdale stadium had a plastic pitch* so £65 was paid to secure an afternoon slot on Sunday 31 May. The teams were affiliated to the Lancashire Football Association for one day only and a referee secured.

Some rules of playing on the pitch included:

Do Not:

• Use any form of screw-in studs - they will damage the pitch
• Use running shoes with spikes.
• Eat chewing gum whilst playing on the pitch
• Wear muddy footwear on the playing surface
• Climb the crowd control fencing. Use the appropriate gate when retrieving the ball from the tearraces.
• Use Lowthorpe Road as a car park.
• Smoke cigarettes/cigars on the playing surface.

In addition spectators in stiletto heels were not allowed on the playing surface.


*It was removed in 1994

1996/97 Moving On

It was the last time a few players ran out for the Kylies this season...

Kevin Kibble
A stalwart of the five-a-side days and assistant manager (or assistant to the manager), his KMLC career was dogged by injuries. Eleven appearances and three goals in 1994/95 shrank to two starts and three substitute appearances the season after and it was just two shows from the bench in 1996/97. Those returns don't do his contribution or his skills justice.

Chris Howell
After being around the team since 1991 and the second Kenilworth Cup, Chris played just twice this season. I can't remember why he stopped playing - getting married and settling down perhaps. Sixteen games and one goal in our first season, thirteen and another goal in the second. Chris was an energetic and fun presence on the left-side of midfield and defence.

Steve Kelly
The youngest, quietest member of the team, Steve led the line with Swatty in our first season when Kevin was absent. That first campaign was a struggle but he looked better at the start of the second season when hitting a hat-trick against Swindon Ambulance. He took his tally to six but the goals dried up and Watty knocked him down the order. He left to start a team with his friends. We wished him well.

Simon Williams
'Tanboy' had made a big impression during the second half of the previous season and looked at home in the Kylie midfield. It was just three run-outs this term though, all coming in the first five games, before he decided to concentrate on young man stuff like staying out late on Saturdays and his tan. Something like that anyway.

Dave Hector
Dave's one and only season for the Kylies lasted seven games and was over by early November. He thought he was better than we thought he was. It was a difference of opinion. It happens. He did get on the scoresheet though, in our first ever cup win over Kempsford in the Chairman's.

1996/97 MVP & Spoons

Five match awards gave Ian the MVP of the season honours.

Gould came joint-second in the MVP category but romped away with Spoons of the Season.

	MVP	Spoons
Carpenter	1	1
Cox		3
Gould	4	5
Gunning	3	2
Hobbs	1	3
Kibble		2
Lunt	2	2
Merry	5	1
Payne G.	3	1
Smedley	1	2
Summers	2	2
Swatridge	4	1
Warr B.	1	1
Warr M.	1	1
Watling	3	1

1996/97 Goalscorers

Watty was this season's Golden Boot with Gould and Merry also making it into double figures.

	League		Cup		Total
	Goals		Goals		Goals
Cox	4				4
Gould	11		1		12
Gunning	4				4
Hector			1		1
Hobbs	5				5
Merry	12				12
Payne G.	4				4
Smedley	3				3
Summers	1				1
Swatridge	5		1		6
Warr B.	3		1		4
Watling	12		2		14

1996/97 Appearances

No ever-presents this season but Brian and Ian both played 26 out of a possible 27 games.

		1996/1997
	League			Cup			Total
	Appearances	Sub		Appearances	Sub		Appearances	Sub
Carpenter	19	1		2			21	1
Cox	13	7		2	1		15	8
Garratt		1					0	1
Gould	22			2			24	0
Gunning	22			3			25	0
Hector	1	3		3			4	3
Hobbs	21				1		21	1
Howell		1		1			1	1
Kelly		1			1		0	2
Kibble		1			1		0	2
Lunt	21						21	0
Merry	23			3			26	0
Payne G.	19	1		1			20	1
Smedley	13	5		2			15	5
Summers	20	2		3			23	2
Swatridge	15	1		2			17	1
Warr B.	5	4		3			8	4
Warr M.	8	4					8	4
Watling	18	1		3			21	1
Williams	1	1			1		1	2
Woolford	23			3			26	0

1996/97 Division Six Final Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Diff	Pts		Home		Away
1	Akers Garage Sports	24	17	3	4	93	41	52	37		2-3		3-3
2	Lyenham Athletic	24	16	2	6	78	37	41	34		4-1		4-1
3	Hewers Bakery	24	15	3	6	85	45	40	33		1-4		0-4
4	KMLC FC	24	14	3	7	67	45	22	31		~		~
5	Cursor Graphic	24	13	5	6	59	41	18	31		0-1		0-1
6	Work Base Resources	24	11	2	11	64	73	-9	24		1-1		6-3
7	Swindon Ambulance	24	11	2	11	65	80	-15	24		4-3		2-1
8	Nationwide	24	9	5	10	63	65	-2	23		5-1		2-2
9	Patriots Arms	24	10	2	12	54	84	-30	22		1-3		2-4
10	Motorola	24	9	1	14	59	63	-4	19		2-1		6-1
11	AFC Purton	24	5	3	16	56	73	-17	13		7-4		3-2
12	ISSC	24	6	1	17	35	58	-23	13		4-0		3-1
13	Curriers Arms	24	3	2	19	35	108	-73	8		3-0		1-0

Another season where the chance of a trophy slipped through the team's fingers. The defeats to ninth-place Patriot Arms the difference between fourth place and the runners-up trophy.

Smedley brace ends season with draw

20 April 1997, Division Six at Pipers Way

Nationwide 2 KMLC FC 2

After the game against AFC Lyneham on 23 March KMLC found themselves in the position where they would take the Division Six title if they won their last four matches.

This was the last of those four matches and the only time the team avoided defeat. Chris Smedley got both goals, one his trademark straight from a corner effort, and his only MVP of the season.

The sad footnote is that this was to be the last time that Kevin pulled on the Kylie shirt, injuries meaning it was time for him to hang up his boots.


Watling
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Smedley, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Cox, Payne
Subs: M.Warr for Summers, Kibble for Hobbs, Garratt

Goals: Smedley 2


MVP: Smedley
Spoons: Cox


Next match - in September!

Hewers continue double trouble

13 April 1997, Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 1 Hewers Bakery 4

A third straight defeat with the season petering out for the Kylies. Like the previous two defeats to the Patriots and Cursor it completed a home and away double for the winning side.

Hewers won 4-0 back in September and only a Hobbs goal, his fifth of the season, stopped the repeat.

Looks like Big Al picked up a knock as Matt replaced him during the game. Or replaced someone who replaced him in goal. Neil perhaps as he won Spoons. Or Watty as he played in goal in the next match. It's hard to know. It was 20 years ago.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Watling, Cox
Subs: Smedley for Cox, M.Warr for Lunt

Goal: Hobbs


MVP: Watling
Spoons: Summers


Next match - 20 April v Nationwide

Title dreams end in Graphic defeat

6 April 1997, Division Six at Moredon

KMLC FC 0 Cursor Graphic 1

Any hopes of the Kylies winning a first title were extinguished with this defeat.

Cursor Graphic had ended the nine-game wining run in February and repeated the treatment at Moredon. By the same scoreline too with just the one goal in the game.

Gunning picked up a third MVP in four matches (with Merry) but there's no record of Spoons. Did everyone play so well that there wasn't one? Or have the records been lost in the infinite corridors of time?


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Sub: Cox for Watling


MVP: Gunning and Merry
Spoons: ?


Next match - 13 April v Hewers Bakery

Defeat in Patriot games is title setback

30 March 1997, Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 1 Patriots Arms 3

With a first honour in reach the Kylies slipped up at home to the Patriots Arms. The team had a habit of struggling against teams they shouldn't and the opponents were completing the double with this result.

The game at Chiseldon in November ended in a 4-3 defeat that preceded the nine game winning run This time Gunning got the only goal in a more comprehensive defeat that meant the title was no longer in their own hands.


Lunt
Smedley, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Cox, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Subs: Kibble, Garratt

Goal: Gunning


MVP: Gunning, Hobbs
Spoons: Lunt, Summers


Next match - 6 April v Cursor Graphic

Lyneham win puts Kylies in reach of title

23 March 1997, Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 4 AFC Lyneham 1

The Kylies opened their season with a 4-1 win over these opponents and they repeated the treatment on their home turf.

Gould and Swatridge scored in that game on 1 September and were back on target again today. Merry carried on his run of goals to take his tally to 12 for the season and last week's scorer Gunning was also on the scoresheet.

The result had bigger implications as the league table revealed that if the Kylies were to win their last four matches then they would win the Division Six title. What would happen next...?


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Subs: Cox, Kibble, Garratt

Goals: Merry, Swatridge, Gunning, Gould


MVP: Swatridge
Spoons: Gould


Next match - 30 March, Division Six v Patriots Arms

Kylies made to work for point

16 March 1997,  Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 1 Workbase Resources 1

Having beaten these opponents 6-3 earlier in the season the Kylies would have fancied their cances of doing the double over Workbase.

Gouldy had scored two in that game but was missing for this one while Merry, Payne and Watling, the other scorers back in November, failed to fire.

The team relied on Gunning with a goal and MVP-winning performance to get a share of the spoils.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, M.Warr, Gunning
Smedley, Merry, Payne, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Subs: B.Warr for Merry, Summers for M.Warr, Cox for Hobbs

Goal: Gunning


MVP: Gunning
Spoons: Smedley


Next match - 23 March, Division Six v AFC Lyneham

Kylies back to winning ways

9 March 1997, Division Six at Mannington

ISSC 1 KMLC FC 3

The Kylies put the setback of the defeat against Cursor Graphic behind them and set about getting their promotion push back on track with a win.

While not as comfortable as the 4-0 win over these opponents in December, goals from Merry (his fifth in five games), Smedley's first of the season and one from the bench from Ben were enough to make it 11 wins out of the last 14 in the league.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, M.Warr, Gunning
Smedley, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Cox
Subs: B.Warr for Hobbs, Summers for Gunning

Goals: Merry, Smedley, B.Warr


MVP: Merry
Spoons: Gould


Next match - 16 March, Division Six v Workbase Resources

Cursor end unbeaten run

23 February 1997, Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 0 Cursor Graphic 1

After a nine match unbeaten run, stretching more than three months back to 3 November last year, the Kylies met with defeat.

The home team failed to trouble the scorers for only the second time this season (back in September against Hewers Bakery) so the single Cursor goal settled the game.

Matt was a less frequent player this season but was still good enough to pick up the MVP honours in this one.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford. M.Warr, Gunning
Cox, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Subs: B.Warr for Cox, Garratt


MVP: M.Warr
Spoons: Swatridge


Next match - 9 March v ISSC

Motorola rolled over

16 February 1997, Division Six at Penhill Sevenfields

Motorola 1 KMLC FC 2

The Kylie unbeaten run rolled on to nine with a narrow win against Motorola.

It had only been two months since the clubs met in the reverse fixture which ended in a 6-1 win for KMLC. It was much closer this time with the goals again coming from Watling (four in two games) and Merry (four in three).

Interesting footnotes from this one. Garratt made his only appearance of an injury-hit season and Kibble won Spoons despite not being in the squad! Any guesses why?


Lunt
Smedley, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Watling, Cox
Subs: Garratt for Summers

Goals: Watling, Merry

MVP: Payne
Spoons: Kibble


Next match - 23 February v Cursor Graphic

Watty treble the difference in Purton triumph

9 February 1997, Division Six at Mannington

KMLC FC 7 AFC Purton 4

After a single goal settled matters last week in the Kylies' favour it was a return to high-scoring ways.
The highest-scoring of the season in fact.

KMLC had downed Purton 3-2 back in October but more than doubled their goal tally this time. The defence was breached four times but Watling hit a hat-trick and Merry got two (one from the spot - Stu was missing this week!) with Gunning and an o.g. rounding out the big win.

Lunt
Summers, Woolford, M.Warr, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Cox, Hobbs
Swatridge, Watling
Subs: B.Warr for Watling, Garratt, Kibble

Goals: Watling 3, Merry 2 (1p), Gunning, og


MVP: Watling
Spoons: Cox:


Next match - 16 February v Motorola

One goal enough to keep unbeaten run alive

2 February 1997, Division Six at Ballards Ash

Curriers Arms 0 KMLC FC 1

A second clean sheet in three matches for the Kylies and more importantly another two points in the bag.

Back in October the Kylies had shut out Curriers in a 3-0 win and they repeated the treatment at the back this time. The game was closer with Merry (who scored two in the first match) getting the only goal this time. Big Al took MVP which suggests that this was a hard-fought win.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers. M.Warr
Smedley, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Cox
Subs: Payne for Smedley, Watling for Cox, Garratt

Goal: Merry

MVP: Lunt
Spoons: Carpenter


Next match - 9 February v AFC Purton

Six goals shared in Akers classic

19 January 1997, Division Six at Ballards Ash

Akers Garage 3 KMLC FC 3

Also known as the 'fingers up the nose' match!

Akers had already beaten the Kylies twice this season, once in the league and once in the Cup, but that was before the team found their form with seven wins out of the last eight.

If I remember correctly there was an early sending off. Was it Brian with one of his disguised hand balls or was it Neil with one of his flying 'Superman' style saves? Not sure, but I think we were down to ten, could be wrong.

The game's highlight was a stunning solo goal from Gould. Breaking from inside his own half and with no Kylie player in front of him he charged on leaving the Akers defence in his wake. As he reached the Akers' area and let fly a late challenge came in on the midfield maestro. The ball ended up in the net and Stu thrust two fingers into his opponents nostrils as he rose from the poor challenge and taunted his prostrate opponent. The referee pulled Stu to one side and sort of admonished him while finding it funny at the same time. At least that's how Stu tells it.

Big Al won MVP so we must have been soaking up the pressure so I wonder if we actually led and conceded a late leveller but the unbeaten run continued.


Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Summers, Gunning
Payne, Merry, Gould, Hobbs
Swatridge, Cox
Subs: Smedley for Cox, Garratt, M.Warr

Goals: Gould 2, Payne


MVP: Lunt
Spoons: Cox


Next match - 2 February, Division Six v Curriers Arms