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2008/2009 Archive

Report of games played on Wednesday 5th August 2009

Summer League (Match report by Cole Hickman)
Kingswinford 2 - 2 Stafford Whynots
Goal scorers: Lubby Ram, Cole Hickman

In the last game of the season Kingswinford quickly gained control of play and dominated the first ten minutes. Against the run of play Stafford hit back with a speedy counter attack which resulted in the visitors gaining an early lead. Towards the end of the first half Dan Whittaker’s shot was blocked off the line by a Stafford defender’s body resulting in a penalty flick which Lubby Ram coolly converted. Stafford started the second half well but were kept at bay by Kingswinford keeper Wasim Iqbal. After ten minutes Stafford broke down Kingswinford’s defence to take the lead. Minutes later youngster Cole Hickman replied with a strike from top D to level the score. Both teams pressed hard for the rest of the match but neither could get the advantage.

Report of games played on Wednesday 29th July 2009

Summer League (Match report by Ashraf Baig)
Ludlow 6 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Dan Whittaker

Kingswinford made their annual summer trip to Bridgnorth to play a strong Ludlow team coached by the 'Arsene Wenger' of hockey - Roger Furniss. Ludlow (playing in purple) were 1 nil up within 5 minutes. Kingswinford responded through Dan Whittaker to make it 1-1. The young Ludlow team upped the pace of the game and scored 2 more goals before the break. Half time saw changes in defence and K'Ford kept Ludlow out through good saves by Thomas Hickman. Billy Sandhu also played excellent proving that his exclusion last week was maybe wrong. As always Kingswinford got tired and Ludlow scored 3 sweeping moves to make the score 6-1 ! Sarj Takhar commented "It was purple rain today and our defence was too busy doing the moon-walk than defending". Joint man of match goes to Thomas Hickman & Billy Sandhu.

Report of games played on Tuesday 21st July 2009

Summer League (Match report by Dan Whittaker)
Aldersley Wolves 1 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Dan Whittaker, Sarj Takhar (2)

Kingswinford started this match very strongly against arch rivals Aldersley Wolves. In early exchanges 2 short corners were won by Kaz Purewal and from both there was a direct hit from Sarj Takhar which the Wolves keeper saved. The deadlock was finally broken when Purewal turned the Wolves Sweeper inside out to release Ash Baig on the left wing. Baig crossed for Dan Whittaker to tap home. The second half saw Takhar step-up the pressure on the home defence and he went close 3 times. After cheeky remarks from the Wolverhampton Defenders, Takhar blasted his next effort into the back of the net to show his true worth. Ten minutes later he made it 3-0 with a swift turn & shot after a cute pass from Billy Sandhu. Wolverhampton got their consolation goal towards the end but Julian Turner, Parj Sangha, Simon Palmer, Sharm Dhaliwal & Lubby Ram ensured that’s all they scored. Takhar said “Summer is here & the time is right - that was an excellent Team Performance".
A big thank you to Hockey Legend Billy Jawanda for umpiring.

Report of games played on Wednesday 8th July 2009

Summer Friendly (Match report by Guneet Uppal)
Kingswinford 5 - 5 West Midlands Police
Goal scorers: Paul Wood (2), Ravi Johal, Daman Johal, Kuldip Randhawa

Exciting edge of your seat match between the boys in blue and Kings. Excellent goals by Kingswinford with guest player Paul Woody scoring 2 blistering goals and winning the Man of Match award.

Report of games played on Wednesday 1st July 2009

S/L Team (Match report by Pummi Johal)
Old Wulfrunians 5 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Chris Brown

Kingswinford were put under pressure from the start by a strong Old Wolves team. It took Old Wolves 15 minutes to break the deadlock despite the best efforts of the veteran Kingswinford defence of Sharm Dhaliwal, Kuldip Randhawa & Lubby Ram. Kingswinford tried in vain to equalise and Chris Brown went close on 25 minutes when he struck the post after a superb pass from Kaz Purewal. Old Wolves converted two late short corners just before half time to make it 3-0. Kingswinford had the upper hand for the start of the second half when veteran winger Richard Turner went close twice after two sweeping moves started by Simon Palmer. Chris Brown finally broke through a tough Old Wolves defence with a sweetly struck short corner. However, K'Ford’s comeback was short lived when Old Wolves added two counter attack goals to make it 5-1.
Man of the match: Billy Sandhu excellent performance at left half letting no one get the better of him.

Report of games played on Saturday 27th June 2009

Badgers (Match report by Cole Hickman)
Badgers 7 - 1 Parents
Goal scorers: Sophie Tibbetts (5), Cole Hickman (2) (Badgers), Chris Rawlings (Parents)

Kingswinford Badgers put seven goals past their parents in an enjoyable fixture at a sun drenched Dell Stadium. Sophie Tibbetts opened the scoring with a Penalty Flick after good work by Tom Reed and Sam George. A couple of minutes later Cole Hickman tore through the Parents defence and cleverly flicked over the keeper. Tibbetts then showed her excellent positioning and timing by slotting home a further two goals at the back post to complete her hat-trick and make the score 4-0 at half time. Captain and goalkeeper Tim Sanders then reshuffled the parents’ team who successfully kept a stronger Badgers side out for 20 minutes. Cole Hickman then made several tactical changes to his squad which involved moving superstar keeper Tom “Smiley” Hickman outfield and placing Wing Wizard Guneet Uppal in goal. The Parents extra numbers counted on this hot morning and they grabbed a goal through Chris Rawlings after excellent work from Paul Grove. The Badgers countered this by adding another goal when Tom Hickman’s shot was deflected in to the path of Tibbetts who coolly fired home. Keeper Sanders then earned a round of applause when he pulled off an excellent save from Cole Hickman’s well placed flick. This spurred Cole Hickman into action who then placed the ball through Sanders legs after good work from his brother. There was a good ending for the Badgers in this competitive fixture when Tibbetts scored another to make her total five goals.
An enjoyable game for both the Badgers and the Parents to end a successful season.
Man of the match: Jon Hall (Badgers); Steve Reed (Parents)

Report of games played on Tuesday 23rd June 2009

S/L Team (Match report by Billy Sandhu)
Stafford Whynots 2 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Ravi Johal, Sarj Takhar

Kingswinford raced into the lead in this exciting summer league fixture. They were 2-0 up within 12 minutes through Ravi Johal & Sarj Takhar goals. Kingswinford dominated the next ten minutes and went close through Kaz Purewal & Richard Turner. In defence Sharm Dhaliwal & Kuldip Randhawa held firm as Stafford tried to counter attack. Towards the end of the second half Kingswinford conceded a series of debatable short corners which some Kings players disputed. This had a detrimental effect on Kingswinford as the team lost concentration. There was a penalty awarded on the stroke of half time to Stafford but Wasim Iqbal made an excellent save. The second half saw Kingswinford miss numerous chances to kill the game off. Stafford scored two late goals from Short Corners awarded by the Stafford Umpire to take a point from Kingswinford. Kaz Purewal commented: "We should have won this game but that's the way we roll - all or nothing!". Man of the match: Simon Palmer.

Report of games played on Wednesday 17th June 2009

S/L Team (Match report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 4 - 5 Ludlow
Goal scorers: Sarj Takhar (2), Ravi Johal, Chris Brown

Kingswinford started this match strongly when Sarj Takhar expertly fired them ahead on 5 minutes. He then added a second after good work from Cole Hickman and Chris Brown. Ludlow were let back into the match through a mix-up between veteran Kuldip Randhawa & Keeper Wasim Iqbal. Ludlow equalised just before half time with the experienced Kingswinford defence in disarray. The second half saw Kaza Purewal set-up Ravi Johal to score via a deft touch. However, again Ludlow were allowed to equalise. Ludlow scored their fourth goal 15 minutes before time and it was Chris Brown who brought the scores level through a great solo goal. Ludlow added a fifth goal towards the end of the match as Kingswinford pushed forward in numbers. There were some good performances from Lubby Ram & Julian Turner throughout the match.

Report of games played on Wednesday 10th June 2009

S/L Team (Match report by Sharm Dhaliwal)
Kingswinford 0 - 3 Aldersley Wolves

The boys are back in town, haven't changed, haven't much to say ! It was old rivals Wolverhampton & familiar veteran German Singh amongst their ranks. German controlled the young Wolverhampton team from the sweeper position & they set out their stall by double marking Kingswinford’s star player Sarj Takhar. Takhar has returned from his 3wk Florida holiday looking jaded & was second to most balls played to him in the first half. Youngster Daman Johal went close after being put through by Kaz Purewal. Kingswinford had several opportunities to score the first goal but Wolverhampton drew first blood on 30 minutes. The second half saw Kingswinford up the tempo with Takhar at the fulcrum of most Kingswinford attacks. The Wolves keeper made 4 good saves denying Purewal, Takhar, Johal & Cole Hickman. At the Other end Wolverhampton scored two counter attack goals to finish the game off. Takhar commented "It was a good contest today & I look forward to the return fixture when better finishing, younger players & luck will be on our side!"

Report of games played on Thursday 4th June 2009

S/L Team (Match report by Liam Smith)
Telford Kingpins 5 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Daman Johal

The Kingswinford team arrived at St Georges ground only to find that the fixture was re-arranged at Wrekin College further into Telford. The 6 car convoy found its way into Wrekin College. Without a proper warm up the team played out of their skin and kept a strong Telford X1 out of their D for the first 20 minutes. Telford broke the deadlock via a short corner and went ahead. The closing stages of the 1st half saw Cole Hickman miss an easy chance that would have levelled the score. In the second half Kings were tired and lost their shape after an injury to Azad Akhtar. Telford scored 4 counter attack goals. Kingswinford got a consolation goal through Daman Johal after he was put through by Ash Baig. Man of Match: Billy Sandhu – brilliant tackles as left half.

Report of games played on Sunday 26th April 2009

Bill Matharu & Kirpal Dhillon Memorial Tournament (Match report by Billy Sandhu)

The 7-a-side memorial tournament was enjoyed by all those involved. Families of both Bill Matharu & Kirpal Dhillon attended and witnessed first hand the high esteem and love both Bill & Kirpal are held in and how greatly both are missed by the Hockey Family.
The tournament provided some excellent Hockey. Wednesbury 1980's & Kingswinford HC put up a valiant effort but fell at the Group Stage. The Semi-Finals were exciting but Sandwell King Vets & Wednesbury HC found the pace & strength in depth of Retro Wolves & Sandwell King Vets too much; losing 7-2 and 5-1 respectively. The Final was an end to end match. Both sides played brilliant hockey with the final result being 2-2. Retro Wolves won the penalty shoot out 3-2 and were deserved winners. Most importantly £160 was raised for charity and a big thank you goes to all players, officials and spectators for a great day.
Tournament Results:
Group A
Winners - Retro Wolves
Runners Up - Wednesbury HC
Group B
Winners - Sandwell
Runners Up - King Sandwell Vets
Semi - Finals
Sandwell 5 - Wednesbury HC 1
King Sandwell Vets 2 - Retro Wolves 7
Final
Retro Wolves 2 - Sandwell 2
Retro Wolves won 3-2 on Penalty Flicks.

Press Release.

DOZENS of hockey players past and present turned out at The Dell Stadium in Pensnett for a special seven-a-side memorial tournament. The event was organised by Kingswinford Hockey Club last Sunday (APR 26) in memory of former club members Bill Matharu and Kirpal Dhillon who died suddenly last year.
Bill, who was from Hurst Hill, Coseley, died in February last year aged 57. He used to play at Wednesbury before coming to Kingswinford as an umpire for 10 years.
Kirpal, who lived in Walsall, died on December 24 last year aged 42. He used to play for Kingswinford before becoming an umpire for the last five years.
Players from Wednesbury, Old Halesonians, Barford Tigers, Northampton Saints and Kingswinford hockey clubs made up six teams for the round-robin event.
A minutes silence was held before the start and during the games.
The final, played in glorious Spring sunshine, was fittingly won by the team run by Bill's nephew Rajinder Sehmbi. It was contested by Mr Sehmbi's team called Retro Wolves and Sandwell. The score was 2-2 at the end with Retro Wolves taking the honours 3-2 on penalties.
Members of Bill and Kirpal's families attended the event which raised £160 for Heart UK and a charity nominated by Mr Sehmbi.
Kingswinford Hockey Club treasurer and life member Richard Turner said: "It was a very fitting tribute to Bill and Kirpal which was very well supported. We must thank the members of all the other clubs who took the time to take part in this special commemoration. It was great to see so many former players and supporters. The tournament was very much appreciated by Bill and Kirpal's families. They saw for themselves the high esteem and love with which they were held. Bill and Kirpal were very popular at the club and played important roles as umpires. Bill was very reliable and jovial and took things in his stride. He was a good umpire who was very well respected in the game. Kirpal was always very jovial and very popular at the club. He was keen to help out when he could with umpiring. They are both missed very much at the club and we will never forget them."
For more information about Kingswinford Hockey Club contact Richard Turner on 01384 270969 or visit www.kingswinfordhockey.co.uk

Report of games played on Saturday 18th April 2009

1st Team (Match report by Billy Sandhu)
West Bromwich 5 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Sarj Takhar (2), Taz Ahmed, Daman Johal

Kings found themselves 4-0 down at half time against local rivals West Brom. A stern half time talk by Sarj Takhar got Kings into playing good effective hockey. Takhar scored 2 brilliant goals to make it 4-2. These Goals by Takhar will only be appreciated by those on the day. One goal was a reverse stick flick that looped over the West Brom Keeper Struck the post and went in. Taz Ahmed & Daman Johal made it 4-4 with new boy Taz scoring a wonderful solo goal but West Brom had the last laugh when they scored to make it 5-4 to West Brom! Skipper Billy Sandhu said "We scored 4 great goals which were worthy to win any game. Seeing Sarj's 2nd goal was worth paying the match fee alone!"

2nd Team (No Match)

3rd Team (No Match)

Badgers (No Match)

Report of games played on Saturday 11th April 2009

1st Team (Match report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 3 - 2 Barford Tigers
Goal scorers: Taz Ahmed, Ajay Sandhu (2)

Kingswinford had an excellent start when Taz Ahmed put kings ahead on 5 minutes. Barford replied with 2 goals before half time to make it 2-1. The day belonged to Kings with 2 goals from Ajay Sandhu to make it 3-2 to Kings at the end of the match.

2nd Team (No Match)

3rd Team (No Match)

Badgers (No Match)

Report of games played on Saturday 4th April 2009

1st Team (No Match report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 9 Old Wulfrunians
Goal scorer: Ajay Sandhu

2nd Team (No Match)

3rd Team (No Match)

Badgers (Match report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 3 - 0 Old Wulfrunians
Goal scorers: Sophie Tibbetts, Guneet Uppal, Sam George

A depleted Kingswinford line up missing several key players rose to the occasion and produced a winning performance against local rivals Old Wulfrunians at the Dell Stadium. Twelve minutes in K’ford took the lead through a well worked short corner routine finished off by Sophie Tibbetts. K’ford pressed forward looking for more goals but were denied by resolute defending from the away side. In the second half Kings continued to press and managed to score a second goal through Sam George’s well taken strike. Another short corner supplied the third goal but this time finished off by Guneet Uppal to make the final score 3-0 to K’ford.
Man of the Match – James Leddington

Report of games played on Saturday 28th March 2009

1st Team (Match report by Gavi Singh)
Aston University 2 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Daman Johal, Sarj Takhar, Ajay Sandhu, Ravi Johal

TEN man Kingswinford overpowered their student opposition in an impressive win in Birmingham. Daman Johal and Sarj Takhar put Kings 2-0 up within 10 minutes. It was Takhar’s 31st strike to earn the club top scorer bragging rights. The hosts pulled back two goals to level at the break. But Ajay Sandhu and Ravi Johal fired home to secure the points. Defender Dean Holyoake earned man-of-the-match.

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 2 - 6 West Bromwich
Goal scorers: Tim Sanders, Mick Hinton

Three goals conceded in five minutes condemned Sol Buckner's side to a miserable end to the season in freak weather at the Dell Stadium. Hapless keeper Chris Rawlings picked the ball out of the net three times within minutes of push-back as Kings made their customary slow start. And it should have been 4-0 had a goal not been ruled out by visiting umpire Paul Holiday. Kings then hit back when stand-in defender Tim Sanders rifled in a short corner shot on 22 minutes. Buckner's half-time pep talk did little to inspire his beleaguered side as they succumbed to a wave of second half pressure. Even a freak hailstone shower in a freezing cold wind could not repel West Brom as they scored three more goals with ease. Mick Hinton's well taken goal on 65 minutes was scant consolation for a 15th defeat in 22 league outings. Buckner said: "It was a poor display and a poor end to the season. I had expected more than just three home wins. We won more games away which is very unusual. But I must thank all the players, umpires, Dell Stadium staff and supporters who have helped out this season and we look forward to better times ahead."

3rd Team (No Match report yet)
Bromsgrove 4 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Sati Takhar

Badgers (Match report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 3 - 0 Barford Tigers
Goal scorers: Cole Hickman (2), Sophie Tibbetts

A good display from Kingswinford Badgers helped them record another home win in the last game of the season. In a tight goal less first half there were chances for both sides which were kept out by the two keepers. In the second half K’ford showed their true attacking form with Cole Hickman adding a first through a clever flick from an acute angle before scoring his second with another flick. Sophie Tibbetts added a third tapping in at the back post to make the final score 3-0 to K’ford. Well done to all members of the Badgers squad of what has been an enjoyable season.
Man of the Match- Sam George.

Report of games played on Saturday 21st March 2009

1st Team (Match cancelled)
Kingswinford v Sutton Coldfield 2nd

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Ludlow 3 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Sol Buckner, Andy Cutler

A SECOND half capitulation saw sorry Kingswinford make the long trip back from Herefordshire empty-handed. Sol Buckner's side worked hard on a beach-like pitch to carve out a well-earned two nil lead. The skipper fired in his ninth of the season from a narrow angle on 12 minutes after collecting Andy Cutler's perfect pass into the D. Minutes later Buckner turned provider slipping a short corner pass to Cutler who fired home from close range. The hosts, who play in Leominster, were more used to playing on such a sandy pitch and piled on the pressure looking for a way back into the game. But keeper Chris Rawlings stood up to everything they could throw at him in the first half. However the second half was a different story as Kings midfield stopped working allowing Ludlow to steam forward. Within minutes of the re-start they breached the defence and scored the first of three easy goals. Two more followed as Kings wilted under the sun during relentless attacking. Second team debutant Jon Craggs earned man-of-the match. Disappointed skipper Buckner said: "We stopped playing in the second half which was really disappointing because we started so well. It was almost a 100 mile round trip which feels twice as long when you lose like that." Kings welcome West Bromwich to the Dell Stadium on Saturday for the last league game of the season.

3rd Team (Match report by Mark Stevenson)
Kingswinford 3 - 2 Walsall
Goal scorers: Ginge Sehmbi, Ranjit Bhadal, Hari Singh

Kingswinford 3rds got the final say in this tough derby match with Walsall 3rds. Kingswinford got off to an excellent start when Sunny Uppal won a short corner that was converted by veteran Ginge Sehmbi. Walsall made it 1-1 just before half time when Walsall struck through a well revised short corner routine of their own. The start of the second half saw Kingswinford under intense pressure with James Rawlings clearing off the goal line twice. Late arrival Ranjit Bhadal made an immediate impact notching his 20th League goal of the season via a deflected shot. Walsall equalised immediately but Kingswinford were rewarded for their positive play when Harry Singh scored a sublime goal on 65 minutes to seal the win. Man of the match: Harry Gill for taking some excellent hits that turned defence into attack, his new stick doing what it says on the label!

Badgers (Match report by Tom Hickman)
Lichfield 1 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Cole Hickman (2), Sophie Tibbetts

K’ford got back to winning ways on a bright warm sunny day in Lichfield. K’ford singled their intentions early on winning a short corner in their first attack before winning two more inside the first five minutes. The first goal finally came for K’ford after 7 minutes from a well worked short corner routine which was converted by Cole Hickman. K’ford extended their lead just before the break when Sophie Tibbetts drilled the ball in at the back post. After the break Lichfield pulled a goal back from a short corner before Hickman scored his second of the game to make the final score 3-1 to K’ford. Man of the Match- Sunny Uppal

Report of games played on Saturday 14th March 2009

1st Team (Match report by Kaza Purewal)
Kingswinford 7 - 1 Kynoch
Goal scorers: Sarj Takhar (2), AJ Sandhu, Chris Brown, Gavi Singh, Daman Johal, Sonny Matharu

An excellent team performance by a new look Kingswinford 1st X1. Kingswinford got off to a perfect start when AJ Sandhu put them ahead on 5 minutes. There were another 6 goals by Kingswinford to seal an excellent win. Chris Brown was voted man of the match after a 2 week absence through injury but he proved his worth to the team with a brilliant performance, sealing it with the goal of the match. Stand in Skipper Sonny Matharu said ''It's a pity we could not have a tight defence like today earlier in the season, but hopefully we are building a team structure for the future with the new faces who will be a mainstay in the 1st team in years to come".

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Streetly 8 - 0 Kingswinford

TWO sendings off ruined Kings chances of taking anything from a day to forget for Sol Buckner's beleaguered side. Andy Cutler was sent off in the first half for dissent in a one-sided encounter. Kings were 4-0 down at the break and things went from bad to worse in the second half when defender Sharm Dhaliwal was sent off for not retreating five yards quickly from a free-hit. Promotion-chasing Streetly took full advantage against nine men but could only manage four more goals against a brave and spirited defence. Skipper Buckner said: "There was very little we could do with just nine men. We took it on the chin but sometimes that's the way the cookie crumbles."

3rd Team (No Match)

Badgers (No Match report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 2 Old Halesonians
Goal scorer: Alex Gutteridge

Report of games played on Sunday 8th March 2009

Vintage (Match report by Sarj Takhar)
Kingswinford 0 - 2 Woking

Kingswinford Vintage were eliminated from the Over 50's EH Plate competition by a determined and fitter Woking side. The visitors who had travelled a 3 hr drive for today’s fixture were well organised with some good team understanding. Kingswinford enjoyed 70% of the possession but were unable to find a break through against a well drilled side. Ranjit Bhadal and Harry Gill went close in the first half but found the Woking Keeper in excellent form. Kings won 14 short corners but were unable to take their chances. Super veteran Pali Bhadal, Dulla Sandhu & Sati Takhar marshalled the defence well. Woking scored with 1 of only two short they won. Their second goal was in the dying seconds of the match. Man of the Match goes to Pali Bhadal who made some super tackles and distributed the ball superbly from the sweeper position.

Report of games played on Saturday 7th March 2009

1st Team (Match report by Sarj Takhar)
Streetly 7 - 5 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Sarj Takhar, Happi Hundal, Gavi Singh, Ajay Sandhu (2)

Kingswinford were involved in an epic WML2 encounter at Streetly School. Their cause was not helped by the late arrival of Captain Lubby Ram and the team’s subsequent search for a pair of trainers for him which constituted as pre-match warm up! Kingswinford got off to an excellent start when Harpreet Hundal hammered home a short corner won by Kaz Purewal. Sarj Takhar then dribbled past four defenders and flicked past a stranded Streetly Keeper to make it 2-0 on ten minutes. Disaster struck when defender Ash Baig dribbled in his own D losing the ball to the League’s top scorer Luke Windsor. Windsor took full advantage and fired past Tim Sanders. Ram went one better than Baig on 20 minutes and failed to cut out a simple cross that Streetly scored to make it 2-2. Streetly were 4-2 ahead through simple counter attacks where Kingswinford’s marking was non existent! Late arrival AJ Sandhu was on for the second half and Sandhu combined with Takhar to slot home 5 minutes in the second half. Streetly restored their 2 goal advantage when Tim Sanders failed to save a weak shot from a short corner. Sanders again failed to clear and Streetly took full advantage to make it 6-3. Goals by Gavi Singh & AJ Sandhu gave Kings hope but this was short lived as Ram was again at fault for Streetly's 7th and final goal.

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 3 - 1 Kidderminster
Goal scorers: Fergus Forsyth, Mick Hinton, Sol Buckner

SOL BUCKNER’S spirited side made it a magnificent seven victories with a scrappy win over lowly Kidderminster. Kings struggled to get going against the basement side who were still looking for their first win. Striker Micky Hinton missed a glorious chance to open the scoring on four minutes when he let Charlie Norman’s fierce cross fly under his stick from just two yards out. Then Norman jinked his way into the D before unleashing another bullet of a shot which rebounded off the post. Finally man-of-the-match Fergus Forsyth settled the nerves on 15 minutes when he collected Buckner’s pass and raced into the D to fire home an angled shot past the outstretched keeper. Kings piled on the pressure looking for a second but could not find a way through. Buckner’s half-time team talk saw Kings start the second half with much more purpose. Livewire Norman raced clear on 40 minutes and fired a pin-point cross for Hinton to blast into the roof of the net from close range. But within a minute, a lapse of concentration in the defence let the visitors back in it as a midfielder raced through the middle of the pitch and slotted past stranded keeper Giles Pargeter. After a roasting from furious skipper Buckner, Kings picked themselves up and laid siege on Kidderminster’s goal. Andy Cutler fired just wide from top D before Norman blasted another good chance into the side netting. Kings should have had a penalty when Buckner’s goal bound shot was cleared by a defender’s knee. Then on the hour Buckner secured the points rifling home from close range after the keeper parried Norman’s shot. “That’s eight goals for the season equalling my best ever,” said a delighted Buckner. ”I don’t know why but we just seem to struggle against the lower teams. We can’t seem to raise our game. We wobbled again after the break but showed just enough desire to win it. But the team is enjoying its hockey once again and that’s why we’re doing well.”

3rd Team (No Match report yet)
Old Silhillians 3 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Ranjit Bhadal

Badgers (No Match report yet)
Kingswinford 6 - 2 Wednesbury
Goal scorers: Tom Reed (3), Guneet Uppal (2), Sophie Tibbetts

Kingswinford notched up another convincing league win at The Dell Stadium against local rivals Wednesbury. Cole Hickman missed an early penalty flick before Wednesbury opened the scoring. Guneet Uppal equalised midway through the half after solo run through the visitors defence. Wednesbury took the lead again from a well worked short corner before K’ford missed another penalty flick through Sophie Tibbetts. After the break Tom Reed equalised with his first of the season before adding a second goal. Guneet Uppal then made it 4-2 with a deft finish before Tom Reed completed his hat trick. Sophie Tibbetts added a sixth goal to make the final score 6-2 to K’ford.

Report of games played on Sunday 1st March 2009

3rd Team (No Match report yet)
Bloxwich 7 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Sunny Uppal, Billy Sandhu

Report of games played on Saturday 28th February 2009

1st Team (Match report by Ajay Sandhu)
Kingswinford 9 - 0 Rugeley
Goal scorers: Happi Hundal (3), Ajay Sandhu (2), Surjit Takhar (2), Gavi Singh (2)

Kingswinford finally gelled as a team after the 5 week break cost them dear in last weeks crunch match. Rugeley played their usual defensive line up. However Kingswinford’s awesome attack force were too strong and the goals rolled in for Harpreet Hundal, AJ Sandhu, Sarj Takhar & Gavi Singh. The pick of the bunch was Kingswinford’s 2nd and it involved 8 pass and moves that resulted in Takhar slotted chipping the advancing goal keeper. The final stages of the match saw Richard Brown have a penalty flick saved by the Rugeley keeper. Man of the match: Ash Baig.

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Stafford 6 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Andy Cutler

A three match unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt at high-flying Stafford on Saturday. Kings found themselves a goal down within the first minute when a shot deflected off Sharm Dhaliwal's stick past stranded keeper Chris Rawlings. But Kings showed their recent free-flowing hockey again and quickly earned a short corner. Skipper Sol Buckner fired in a fierce shot which was beaten away by the keeper. Minutes later Andy Cutler powered in Richard Turner's cross to see it hit a defender's knee on route to goal. The 38-year-old stepped up to rifle the penalty flick into the roof of the net. Kings worked hard to keep the hosts at bay but were caught out just before the break when a striker powered home from close range to give the hosts a slender 2-1 lead. But in the second half it was a different story as Kings crumbled under the pressure and conceded four goals to gift Stafford their win. Ravi Johal and Buckner went close late on but it was another away day to forget. Kings welcome Kidderminster to The Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push back.

3rd Team (Match report by Ajay Sandhu)
Kingswinford 4 - 2 Streetly
Goal scorers: Ranjit Bhadal (2), Guneet Uppal, Sati Takhar

Teenage prodigy Guneet Uppal scored his first league goal as Kingswinford edged this derby match at The Dell Stadium. The 14-year-old, who also made the County team this season, fired home a well earned goal to help his side overcome Streetly. Ranjit Bhadal grabbed a brace and Sati Takhar another goal to put the smile back on captain Harry Gill's face after a difficult week. There were good performances by Harry Gill, Dulla Sandhu & Sunny Uppal. Veteran Hari Singh earned man of the match.

Badgers (No fixture)

Report of games played on Sunday 22nd February 2009

1st Team (No Match report yet)
Barlaston 2 - 9 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Surjit Takhar, Happi Hundal (2), Azad Akhtar, Ajay Sandhu (3), Cole Hickman (2)

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 5 - 2 Barlaston
Goal scorers: Richard Turner, Sol Buckner (3), Ravi Johal

A FIRST ever hat-trick for skipper Sol Buckner inspired a second win in 24 hours at the Dell Stadium. The 35-year-old buried a penalty stroke to end almost 20 years of waiting to score three times in a game. "I changed my stick before the game and it really paid off," Buckner said. "I'd scored twice a few times but never a hat-trick. And I'd waited a long, long time for it." Kings started well with Buckner and Ravi Johal running riot up front. But it was the king of the super subs Richard Turner who opened the scoring tapping home on 16 minutes with his first touch of the match. Then man-of-the-match Buckner made it 2-0 with a superb deflected shot from Sharm Dhaliwal's bullet of a free-hit into the D. Kings held out well until the break but were pegged back immediately after the restart. Barlaston scored from a short corner on 42 minutes and then were awarded a penalty flick. Kuli Toora was judged to have backed into a player taking a shot and Mark Milne converted to make it 2-2. Then the game turned in Kings favour after winning a short corner on 50 minutes. Barlaston's defenders were judged not to have had their sticks behind the goal line allowing Kings to retake. Dissent from two players ended up with two being sent off. Tom Shey received a yellow then a red. His father Peter Shey received a yellow. Kings seized on the extra space and Buckner grabbed his second on 58 minutes when he fired in a rebound off the keeper from Charlie Norman's shot. Johal made it 4-2 on the hour chipping over the keeper after defender Adam Pritchard had a rare shot on goal. And Buckner wrapped up a day to remember when Kings were awarded a penalty stroke on 63 minutes. Umpire Mark Stevenson judged a goal-bound shot by Daman Johal hit a defender's thigh. Buckner stepped up to coolly fire the goal home - the first penalty he scored in three attempts. Delighted Buckner added: “I was very proud of the way we played on Sunday. We struggled against Kynoch on Saturday on quite a warm day for February. But the response I got from the team was fantastic. That's three wins in row which we've thoroughly deserved and suddenly the season is looking up."

Report of games played on Saturday 21st February 2009

1st Team (Match report by Sarj Takhar)
Stafford 3 - 0 Kingswinford

Kingswinford conceded 2 silly goals to a strong Stafford team within the first 10 minutes in this tough BodyKraft MRHA WM League 2 clash. Kings tried desperately to try and level and had 95% of the play but were unable to break an excellent Stafford defence. Of the 16 short corners won by Kingswinford - AJ Sandhu, Harpreet Hundal & Chris Brown were unable to beat an excellent Stafford Goal Keeper who made save after save ! Stafford added a third goal to add to Kings’ misery in the last ten minutes of the second half.

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 1 - 0 Kynoch
Goal scorer: Charlie Norman

CHARLIE Norman's long awaited first goal of the season helped Kingswinford win this scrappy affair at a sun-drenched Dell Stadium. A poor first half saw Kings struggle to get to grips with the visitors. Ravi Johal twice went close in the first half with shots just going wide of goal. But the break could not come soon enough for Sol Buckner's dishevelled side who were struggling in the unusual warmth of 12 degrees. In the second half Kings stepped up the pressure and Norman rifled home a superb long range pass from Johal to ease the nerves. Daman Johal fired a penalty flick over the net after he had been fouled. Fortunately Norman's goal was enough to seal it as Kynoch offered little in attack.

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Hampton-in-Arden 14 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal scorer: Billy Sandhu

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 4 - 3 Kings Heath Pickwick
Goal scorers: Sunny Uppal, Sam George, Cole Hickman, Sophie Tibbetts

K’ford Badgers came out on top in an entertaining hard fought match on a spring like afternoon at the Dell Stadium. KHP took the lead early on after a sluggish start to the match by Kings and the score remained 1-0 until the break. A rousing half time team talk from team captain Tim Saunders sparked the home side into action and soon equalised through Sunny Uppal. Minutes later Cole Hickman notched up his 24th of the season by finishing off a well worked short corner only for KHP to equalise immediately. K’ford took the lead again through hard working livewire Sam George and then made it 4 - 2 thanks to an excellent strike from Sophie Tibbetts. KHP soon replied to make it 4-3 to give a tense last ten minutes to a thrilling match.
Player of the match went to Sophie Tibbetts.

Report of games played on Sunday 15th February 2009

Vintage (Match report by Harry Gill)
Kingswinford 4 - 1 Old Wulfrunians
Goal scorers: Sati Takhar, Richard Turner, Ranjit Bhadal (2)

Kingswinford vintage lined up at home against local rivals Old Wulfrunians in round one of the England Hockey Vintage Plate competition. The match was played at a very friendly yet competitive manner. Sati Takhar opened the scoring on 15 minutes with an excellent strike. Minutes later winger Richard Turner smashed home a Makhan Sunner cross to make it 2-0. Late arrival Ranjit Bhadal then converted a short to make it 3-0 before half time. Old Wolves pulled a goal back in the second half but Kingswinford proved too strong for Old Wolves comeback.
The Kings Vets scored a brilliant 'pass & walk' goal that involved good touches from Pal Purewal, Makhan Sunner & finish from Bhadal. Kings play Woking on 8th March at Dell in this more laid back competition.

Report of games played on Saturday 14th February 2009

1st Team (No fixture)

2nd Team (Match report by Sol Buckner)
Bloxwich 1 - 5 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Andy Cutler, Richard Turner, Daman Johal (2), Ravi Johal

A FIVE star performance made Valentine’s Day one to remember for Sol Buckner’s rejuvenated side as they ended their winless streak in style. After seven straight defeats stretching back to November, Kings were in desperate need of a win and it came in emphatic style. Midfield maestro Andy Cutler started the goal-fest on 15 minutes when he tapped home Charlie Norman’s short corner shot for his first of the season. Norman and Buckner then both went close with fierce short corner shots saved by the hosts keeper who was in fine form. Kings poured forward looking to extend their lead but could not find a way through. Buckner’s half-time pep talk worked wonders as his side came out with all guns blazing for the second 35. Within minutes veteran Richard Turner tapped into an unguarded net after great work from fellow veteran Ravi Johal. Johal’s in-form son Daman cracked home his seventh of the season from close range to put Kings three up on 43 minutes. And it was 4-0 on 50 minutes when Daman Johal skipped past three defenders to fire a sublime shot home from 15 yards. The hosts rallied briefly on the hour when they pinched a goal from a well-worked short corner. They then hit the post as they pushed for a second but could not find a way past defensive lynch-pin and man-of-the-match Sharm Dhaliwal. The game was wrapped up when Buckner raced 35 yards and played a sweet reverse stick pass for Ravi Johal to fire home. Delighted Buckner said: “It was a long time coming but well worth the wait. We have been playing much better in recent weeks and stuck together as a team through thick and thin. Hockey was becoming exasperating but Valentine’s Day restored my love for the game.” Kings have a double header of fixtures at The Dell Stadium this weekend. On Saturday they welcome Kynoch and on Sunday Barlaston will be their opponents with both games having a 2.30pm push back.

3rd Team (Match cancelled)
Kingswinford v Stratford

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
West Bromwich 0 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal scorers: Sophie Tibbetts (2), Cole Hickman

Kingswinford got back to winning ways in a local derby at West Brom. West Brom threatened early on with K’ford making a fine save to stop them taking the lead on ten minutes. Minutes later Sophie Tibbetts tapped in Guneet Uppal’s cross at the back post to give K’ford a 1-0 lead. 5 minutes before half time Cole Hickman’s clever run took him clear of the defence before flicking over the keeper to make it 2-0. Second half Sophie Tibbetts scored her second with a deft touch at the back post to make it 3-0 at the final score.
Man of the Match- James Rawlings

Report of games played on Saturday 7th February 2009

1st Team (Match cancelled due to snow)
Barlaston v Kingswinford

2nd Team (Match cancelled due to snow)
Kingswinford v Barlaston

3rd Team (Match cancelled due to snow)
Bloxwich v Kingswinford

Badgers (Match cancelled due to snow)
Kingswinford v Wolverhampton

Report of games played on Saturday 31st January 2009

1st Team (Match cancelled - Oswestry unable to field a team)
Kingswinford v Oswestry

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Evesham 5 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Fergus Forsyth, Ravi Johal

SKIPPER Sol Buckner was left regretting offering Evesham his match ball at half time after they went on to score four times with it. He was not happy with the badly chipped ball used in the first half despite taking the lead in the eighth minute. In-form Fergus Forsyth latched on to Buckner’s pass before sprinting 30 yards past three defenders to slot past Evesham’s outstretched keeper. It was a well deserved lead in a team using a new 4-4-2 formation, which the hosts struggled to get to grips with. And it was a disputed goal on the half-hour which gave Evesham an undeserved equaliser after the ball hit a player’s foot and play was waved on. The player went on to score despite protests to the umpire. But the second half was one-way traffic as high-flying Evesham relished using Buckner’s match ball. The defence struggled to deal with a series of tricky aerials and each time conceded a short corner. Evesham drafted in a heavy hitting defender to crash home four short corner shots and kill off the game. Ravi Johal grabbed a consolation for Kings late on. Buckner said: “Swapping the ball at half-time unfortunately backfired. But we played our best hockey of the season in the first half and should have been leading at half-time. We struggled against the aerial balls and the short corners but the new formation was much better. Hopefully, we can use it to secure a first home win on Saturday.”
Kings welcome Barlaston to The Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push-back.

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 5 - 3 Evesham
Goal Scorers: Navdeep Bhadal (2), Ranjit Bhadal, Sunny Uppal (2)

Badgers (Match Report by Richard Hickman)
Streetly 3 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sam George, Cole Hickman

A makeshift badger’s team found themselves under the cosh early on in this lively encounter at the Streetly school. Kings were down to ten players early on when Tom Reed left the pitch after taking a fast paced ball to the knee and were soon 2 – 0 down with Streetly taking advantage and putting them under constant pressure. However Kings fought back against the run of play with a speedy counter-attacking move finished off by livewire winger Sam George. Streetly replied immediately leaving the badger’s 3-1 down at half time. Kingswinford came out strongly in the second half after a rallying half time team talk from captain Tim Sanders and were soon back in the match with a blistering reverse drive from top scorer Cole Hickman. Kings stepped up the tempo in the last twenty minutes putting Streetly on the back foot and were unlucky not to find an equaliser late on when Hickman went on a mazy run shooting just wide.
Man of the match: Cole Hickman

Report of games played on Saturday 24th January 2009

1st Team (Match Report by Gavi Singh)
Chaddesley Corbett 0 - 12 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Ajay Sandhu (4), Richard Turner (3), Azad Akhtar (2), Chris Brown (2), Gavi Singh

Kingswinford were missing four regular first team players for this fixture and drafted in veterans Richard Turner, Sharm Dhaliwal & Dulla Sandhu. Kingswinford got off to the perfect start when veteran winger Richard Turner converted a cross on five minutes. AJ Sandhu added goals 2 and 3 and Turner got his second just before half time. Chris Brown and Azad Akhtar also got on the score sheet too. The second half was all Kingswinford and Turner, Sandhu, Brown added to their goal tallies with excellent finishes. Billu Sandhu commented "It was an excellent performance today and those players missing should have to play their way back into the first team". Man of the match Richard Turner: The veteran 60 year old showed he still has what it takes at this level!

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 2 - 3 Pershore
Goal Scorers: Fergus Forsyth, Ravi Johal

Skipper Sol Buckner vowed to ring in the changes as Kingswinford crashed to their sixth defeat in a row and continued their home jinx. After twice taking the lead and playing against 10 men in the first half, Kings conspired to lose the match leaving Buckner tearing out his hair looking for his first home win of the season. “We lack passion and the desire to win,” said a furious Buckner. “It’s something you’ve either got or you haven’t and it’s time to change things round.” Buckner set up the first goal when his angled strike was smashed home by teenager Fergus Forsyth on 12 minutes. But 10 man Pershore hit back minutes later when an unmarked striker rifled the ball past outstretched keeper Tim Sanders. Kings rallied again on the half hour and livewire Charlie Norman skipped past two defenders before firing into the D for Ravi Johal to knock home his first of the season. The visitors hit-back again on the stroke of half-time when a striker tipped a fierce cross past stranded keeper Sanders. Buckner’s half time pep talk failed to inspire his troops as Pershore piled on the pressure in the second half looking for a winner. And they sealed the points on the hour when a fumbled shot looped over Sanders head into the back of the net. Buckner added: “We deserved nothing from the second half and that’s why we can’t win at home. I will be shaking things up for Saturday’s game at Evesham.”

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Pershore 2 - 0 Kingswinford

Kingswinford 3rds travelled to Pershore with eight players due to three players crying off at the last minute. Kingswinford put in a wonderful performance and held back Pershore's wave of attacks. In fact Kingswinford were unlucky not to score when their forwards missed a guilt edged chance. Pershore finally broke Kingswinford’s defence down after 20 minutes. The second half was end to end, Pershore out numbered the defence to score their second goal and take the 3 points. Overall a good all round performance with an eight man team.

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 4 - 0 Sutton Coldfield
Goal Scorers: Cole Hickman (2), Sophie Tibbetts, Sam George

Kingswinford Badgers got off to a great start in the first league game of the New Year. K’ford took the lead midway through the first half thanks to well worked short corner routine which was finished off by Cole Hickman. Immediately at the start of the second half Hickman found Sophie Tibbetts who swept the ball into the net at the back post. Hickman added the third goal before K’ford were awarded a penalty flick. Sam George took it and his effort was saved by the keeper but minutes later made amends when he tapped in Hickman’s cross to make it 4-0.

Report of games played on Saturday 17th January 2009

1st Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 4 - 2 Yardley
Goal Scorers: Harpreet Hundal (2), Sarj Takhar, Gavi Singh

Kingswinford 1st team got off to a sluggish start to their first BodyKraft WML2 match of 2009. Despite the return of Ajay Sandhu, Kingswinford struggled to get into a rhythm but were fortunate that Harpreet Hundal was on hand to score from a well worked short corner on 15 minutes. Sarj Takhar then added a second after a swift turn and shot. The second half saw Gavi Singh get on the score sheet and Hundal scored his second after a great solo run & pass from Sandhu. Mention goes to Yardley who played with effort & determination which resulted in them almost snatching a draw with two late goals and two good saves from Kingswinford keeper Tim Saunders.
Man of the match Tim Saunders.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Market Drayton 4 - 0 Kingswinford

THREE goals in 10 minutes ensured Kingswinford suffered another dose of the away day blues returning to league action after the festive break. Keeper Giles Pargeter had to pick the ball out of the net seconds after push back. Skipper Sol Buckner deflected a long ball into the path of a grateful striker who quickly steered the ball through the young keeper’s legs. Ravi Johal went close to an equaliser minutes later when his deft flick from Richard Turner's pass just missed the near post. The hosts then piled on the pressure and scored two short corners to take a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. Buckner's half-time pep talk inspired a better second half as Kings looked to fight back. And it was Buckner's fierce short corner shot which brought a fine save from Drayton's veteran keeper on 40 minutes. Kings then camped in the Drayton half as they pushed hard for that elusive goal. But despite numerous efforts from Johal, his son Daman Johal, Fergus Forsyth and Charlie Norman, Kings could not find a way through. The hosts scored from a short corner on the hour against the run of play to finally kill the game off. Frustrated skipper Buckner said: "We weren't switched on in the first 10 minutes and paid the price. The second half was much better but somehow we were never going to score in a month of Sundays." Kingswinford welcome Pershore to The Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push-back.

3rd Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 4 - 3 Stafford
Goal Scorers: Ranjit Bhadal (2), Jas Bhadal, Sunny Uppal

Kingswinford 3rds made an excellent start to 2009 by recording a hard fought victory against Stafford. Ranjit Bhadal netted a brace and son Jas Bhadal scored too on his return to competitive hockey after a 4 year absence. Sunny Uppal touched in a cross from Kuldip Randhawa to make the score 4-0 at half time. The second half saw Stafford step up a gear and they deservedly scored three goals 10 minutes within the restart. Veterans Sarj Nijjar, Ginge Sehmbi and Skipper Harry Gill were on hand to ensure that Stafford did not score the vital 4th goal. Vice Captain Billy Sandhu " It's great to have players like Jas & Nav Bhadal with us today and hopefully they will stay with the 3rds until they regain full fitness after such a long time out of the game".

Report of games played on Saturday 10th January 2009

1st Team (Match Cancelled due to frozen pitch)
Kingswinford v Barford Tigers

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Barford Tigers 7 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Daman Johal, Sol Buckner, Ravi Johal, Sarj Takhar

THE NEW year started brightly for Kingswinford with an encouraging display in a friendly fixture against a strong Barford side. Despite going behind within the first minute, Sol Buckner’s side fought back when teenage winger Daman Johal fired in Richard Turner’s bullet of a pass from the right on eight minutes. And then Kings went ahead five minutes later after a good spell of pressure. The industrious Buckner burst into the D and rifled in a shot which deflected off a defender’s stick and looped over the keeper. The hosts levelled on 26 minutes through a reverse stick flick which left young keeper Giles Pargeter no chance. After the break Barford stepped up their game and scored twice from well executed short corners. Second half substitute Sarj Takhar set up livewire Ravi Johal on the hour for a well-taken strike to make it 4-3. Barford then scored one from open play and two from short corners to kill the game off. Takhar fired home a deserved consolation on 66 minutes to make the score 7-4. Skipper Buckner said: “It was a bitterly cold day on a very slippery pitch. We played well against a strong Barford side. Hopefully we can take that positive energy into the rest of the season”.

3rd Team (Match Cancelled)
Kingswinford v Barford Tigers

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Barford Tigers 2 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sophie Tibbetts, Cole Hickman (2)

Two goals from young starlet Cole Hickman and one from Sophie Tibbetts gave Kingswinford Badgers a well deserved win against strong opposition in an entertaining friendly after the Christmas break. Kings had the perfect start when Hickman crossed the ball to an unmarked Sophie Tibbetts to drive home the first goal. Barford replied immediately with a well taken goal and increased their lead before the break to make it 2-1 at half time. Kings came out strongly in the second half but were denied by some fine saves by the Barford keeper until Tom Reed collected a loose ball from a deflected strike and crossed in towards the penalty spot for Hickman to net his first. The match looked to be heading for a draw until Hickman carved his way through the Barford defence late on and placed the ball neatly under the keeper. Well done the Badgers. Man of the Match: Sam George.

Report of games played on Saturday 3rd January 2009

1st Team (Match Cancelled due to frozen pitch)
Kingswinford v Wednesbury

2nd/3rd (Match Cancelled due to frozen pitch)
Kingswinford v Wednesbury

Badgers (Match Cancelled due to frozen pitch)
Kingswinford v Wednesbury

Report of games played on Saturday 20th December 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 5 - 2 Old Wulfrunians
Goal Scorers: Gavi Singh (2), Sarj Takhar (2), Chris Brown

The friendly fixture with local rivals Old Wulfrunians produced some excellent hockey. Kingswinford got off to the perfect start when Gavi Singh scored from a short corner and Chris Brown added a second. Old Wolves pulled a goal back after a rare mistake by Lubby Ram in defence. Sarj Takhar then scored a brilliant goal from an impossible angle to restore Kingswinford’s lead. The second half saw the introduction and return to the Club of AJ Sandhu. Sandhu got into the swing of things by creating two goals for Gavi Singh & Sarj Takhar. There was a late penalty flick for Old Wolves to make it 5-2 but the afternoon belonged to Kingswinford. Man of the Match: Sati Takhar - who held the defence together.

2nd/3rd/Badgers (Club Match)
Kingswinford (Blues) 3 - 1 Kingswinford (Bibs)

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Old Wulfrunians 2 - 7 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Guneet Uppal, Sophie Tibbetts (2), Cole Hickman (3), Sam George

K'ford bounced back from a heavy defeat the previous week to notch up a convincing win against local rivals Old Wulfrunians at Aldersley Stadium. K’ford opened the scoring in the first few minutes with a goal from Guneet Uppal and then quickly scored another from Sophie Tibbetts. Cole Hickman added two more before Old Wulfrunians scored to give them some hope of staging a comeback but this was dashed when Sam George put the ball in the back of the net making it 5-1 at half time. After the break Old Wulfrunians scored again before Sophie Tibbetts made it 6-2 and then Cole Hickman’s deft touch at the near post completed his hat trick and make the final score 7-2.
Man of the Match- Richard Lloyd

Report of games played on Sunday 14th December 2008

Vets (Match Report by Lubby Ram)
Kingswinford 0 - 2 Rugby & East Warwickshire

Kingswinford veterans were unable to breakdown a very robust and hard working Rugby & East Warwickshire Veterans side. Kingswinford Veterans dominated the play in the first half and were unlucky not to score when Ranjit Bhadal & Ravi Johal combined to unlock the visitors defence. Bhadal’s shot was tame and easily saved by the Rugby keeper. The visitors struck the vital blow just before half time with a break away goal. Skipper Manjit Sidhu changed the formation to give Ginge Sehmbi a more attacking role but Sehmbi had an 'off-day' unable to pick-up a number of through balls. The visitors scored a second and the game was finished for Kingswinford Vets. Chairman Makhan Sunner commented " It’s unfortunate we have not progressed further in this competition but I thoroughly believe Rugby & East Warwickshire deserved the win. We were unable to take our chances and make our dominance count!"

Report of games played on Saturday 13th December 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Ash Baig)
Kingswinford 6 - 2 Aston University
Goal Scorer: Chris Brown (6)

Kingswinford had a bare 11 for this fixture with a lot of players on holiday. Super forward Sarj Takhar was playing with an injury. Kingswinford had the perfect start when Chris Brown slotted home two well taken short corners on 8 and 12 minutes. Aston responded with two counter attack goals to level at 2-2. Chris Brown then hit home a cross from Kaz Purewal to make it 3-2 just before half time. In the second half Kingswinford went close through Sarj Takhar, Happi Hundal & Gavi Singh. However, it was Chris Brown who grabbed the headlines with a second half hat-trick to earn himself man of the match award. Azad Akhtar was instrumental in feeding Chris on the left for Chris to notch goals 5 and 6!

2nd Team (Match Report by Adam Pritchard)
West Bromwich 1 - 0 Kingswinford

A controversial first half goal settled this closely fought derby at George Salter school. Kings started the game very well and had some good chances to take the lead, the first coming from the young Richard Lloyd who struck a clean strike from the top of the D but going just wide of the post.The hosts went ahead late in the first half when a shot from a short corner looped into the air and was vollied with a high stick above keeper Tim Sanders. Despite protests the goal was allowed to stand. Minutes later teenage winger Charlie Norman went close to scoring his first goal when his bullet of a shot hit the upright. In the second half Kings didn’t seem so sharp as West Brom piled on the pressure looking to kill off the game. Hard-worked defender Sharm Dhaliwal managed to stop a goal bound shot on the line on 55 minutes. Despite keeping West Brom at bay Kings could not find a way through its well-drilled defence and succumbed to a fourth successive defeat.

3rd Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 1 - 4 Bromsgrove
Goal Scorer: Ranjit Bhadal

Kingswinford found themselves 2-0 down within 5 minutes to a strong Bromsgrove 3rd X1. Ranjit Bhadal grabbed a goal on 20 minutes but Kingswinford were not able to get the equaliser. Ginge Sehmbi & Dulla Sandhu went close in the second half but Bromsgrove were able to kill the game off with two counter attack goals.

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Barford Tigers 7 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal Scorer: Sophie Tibbetts

K’ford struggled against a strong Barford Tigers team on a rain drenched pitch. Barford showed their strength in the first half with five well taken goals with K’ford missing one or two good chances. K’ford managed to grab a goal back through Sophie Tibbetts before Barford scored two more to make the score 7-1. K’ford finished the game strongly but just couldn’t finish their chances. Man of the Match- Sophie Tibbetts

Report of games played on Sunday 7th December 2008

Vets (Match postponed to Sun 14 December due to frozen pitch)
Kingswinford v Rugby & East Warwickshire

Report of games played on Saturday 6th December 2008

1st Team (Match cancelled)
Ashby v Kingswinford

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 1 - 3 Ludlow
Goal Scorer: Fergus Forsyth

A RECORD fast goal by teenage striker Fergus Forsyth failed to inspire his team mates at a freezing cold Dell Stadium. The 17-year-old cracked in the opener with less than 30 seconds gone after capitalising on a defensive mistake by the visitors. But in familiar fashion Kings failed to press home their advantage and Ludlow scored twice within quick succession. The second half failed to bring any cheer as Ludlow piled on the pressure and Kings crumbled. On the hour they killed off the game on the break to condemn Kings to another home defeat. Skipper Sol Buckner said: "I'm taking a well-earned break next week. And I wish my vice-captain Adam Pritchard good luck. Apart from our defence, we are lacking in every department."

3rd Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Walsall 2 - 6 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Ravi Johal, Ranjit Bhadal (2), Sati Takhar, Rajinder Sehmbi, Kuldip Randhawa

Kingswinford started this match in perfect fashion with a stunning goal by Ravi Johal on 3 minutes. Takhar added a second on ten minutes but Walsall replied with a counter attack goal on 15 minutes. Takhar was then body checked by a Walsall defender whilst he was running with the ball and sustained a broken nose in the collision. He received hospital treatment to stop the excessive bleeding. Kaza Purewal protested against this foul and was given a Yellow card for his troubles. A disgruntled Kingswinford Team then put their energies into winning the match and just after the break Daman Johal made two explosive runs to provide Ranjit Bhadal with the opportunity to score goals 3 & 4. Then Rajinder Sehmbi and Kuldip Randhawa each scored to make it 6-1. Walsall pulled a goal back right at the end despite the desperate attempt of Surjit Nijjar to keep the ball out. There were excellent performances throughout especially by Ginge Sehmbi but man of the match goes to young Matt Hall who made some stunning saves on his debut as goalkeeper.

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 4 - 2 Lichfield
Goal Scorers: Guneet Uppal, Cole Hickman (3)

Kingswinford started the game brightly on a very brisk evening with Guneet Uppal scoring the first within ten minutes. Straight from the push back Uppal regained the ball and cleverly slipped it to Cole Hickman who brilliantly dribbled through the Lichfield defence to slot home for the second. Lichfield scored on 30 minutes from a short corner leaving the score 2-1 at half time after Kings wasted several good chances to extend their lead. Kings stepped up the tempo in the second half with some excellent passing movements up front resulting in Cole Hickman grabbing a brace to make it 4-1. Minutes before the final whistle Lichfield grabbed a second goal from another well worked short corner. Man of the Match - Sunny Uppal.

Report of games played on Sunday 30th November 2008

EH Cup U15 (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 0 - 23 Cannock

Report of games played on Saturday 29th November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Daman Johal)
Kynoch 0 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sarj Takhar, Gavi Singh, Chris Brown, Daman Johal

This was an excellent result for Kingswinford who were missing 3 regular first team players. A special mention goes to Veteran Sati Takhar who made his 750th appearance in Kingswinford 1sts over a career spanning 38 years. The 56 year old made a stunning last ditch tackle in the first 5 minutes to keep the score 0-0. At the other end son Sarj Takhar continued his scoring form with a brilliantly taken goal on ten minutes. Kingswinford pushed for their second but the Kynoch defence kept them out. It was 10 minutes into the second half that Gurminder Singh scored his trade mark short corner flick to make it 2-0. Then Takhar & Chris Brown combined for a lovely 1-2 for Chris to tuck away the third. Youngster Daman Johal scored a well taken fourth after a brilliant move involving Ash Baig, Richard Brown, Sonny Matharu, Ravi Johal, Chris Brown and then Daman Johal. Man of the Match goes to Richard Brown.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 0 - 4 Streetly

A lack of firepower proved costly again as Kingswinford's quest for a first home win failed again at a freezing cold Dell Stadium. The visitors threw everything at Sol Buckner's men in the opening 20 minutes but could not find a way through another well-organised first-half defence. And teenage striker Fergus Forsyth almost opening the scoring on 22 minutes firing a short corner shot just wide. But the pressure finally told when Streetly scored through a disputed short corner on the half-hour. Buckner's half-time pep time proved useless as his side once-again crumbled after the re-start. Streetly scored three times in quick succession to compel Kings to a fifth home defeat this season. Buckner's short corner shot was the only effort on target in the second half as Streetly's under stretched keeper struggled to keep warm in the cold. And to complete a miserable day Parj Sangha was sent off for dissent five minutes from time. Kings welcome Ludlow to The Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push back.

Badgers (No Match Report yet)
Old Halesonians 2 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Richard Lloyd, Sophie Tibbetts

Report of games played on Saturday 22nd November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Hari Singh)
Kingswinford 3 - 4 Streetly
Goal Scorers: Sarj Takhar, Gavi Singh (2)

Kingswinford Manager Billu Sandhu drafted in Super Veteran Sati Takhar for this top of the table MRHA West Midlands League 2 clash. The first 5 minutes were a tight affair with Kingswinford & Streetly sizing each other up. On ten minutes inform striker Sarj Takhar broke down the right and dribbled past two defenders before beating the keeper via a deflected shot. Streetly were then awarded a string of controversial short corners from which they scored two goals. Kingswinford replied through Gurminder Singh's solo run and shot. The second half saw Streetly up the tempo but their attacks were in vain as Sati Takhar, Chris Brown & Azad Akhtar made excellent tackles. Sonny Matharu & Harpreet Hundal then won a short which was converted by Gurminder Singh. Streetly replied through their own short corner routine five minutes later. The game was locked at 3-3 but Streetly found a way through to make it 4-3. Kingswinford pushed in vain to get that vital equaliser and thought they had done it through Gurminder Singh flick only to have it ruled as outside the 'D' ! This sparked a protest from supporters and the match was stopped by the Streetly umpire to ask these spectators to leave the pitch area.
The match ended with Kingswinford losing 3-4.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kidderminster 1 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Richard Turner (2), Mick Hinton

Two goals from veteran winger Richard Turner helped Kingswinford to a well-deserved third victory on the road this season. The 60-year-old rolled back the years to grab a brace on a bumpy, sandy pitch at King Charles School. Sol Buckner’s rejuvenated side piled on the pressure from the start and were rewarded after five minutes when he fired a pass through a crowded D for Turner to squeeze his flick between the near post and the keeper. Minutes later the industrious skipper’s neat pass found Dean Holyoake who touched the ball on to Micky Hinton to rifle home his first goal of the season. Hinton then turned provider when his reverse stick pass set up Turner for a far-post tap-in. The second half saw Kidderminster step up their game and they were gifted a goal in the 49th minute following a defensive mix-up between keeper Giles Pargeter and Parj Sangha. With their tails up the hosts pushed hard for a second but Sangha marshalled the defence well. Holyoake earned man of the match for a valiant performance despite nursing an injured left knee in the second half. Delighted Buckner said: “We showed true grit in the second half as they threw everything at us. And we could have scored a lot more if we had taken our chances.” Kingswinford welcome high-flyers Streetly to the Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push-back.

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 3 - 5 Old Silhillians
Goal Scorer: Ranjit Bhadal (3)

Badgers (No Match Report yet)
Wednesbury 2 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal Scorer: Cole Hickman

Report of games played on Saturday 15th November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Ashraf Baig)
Rugeley 1 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Chris Brown, Sarj Takhar, Gavi Singh, Ashraf Baig

Kingswinford dominated this fixture throughout and took the lead within 5 minutes after an excellent 'pass & move' involving Chris Brown & Sarj Takhar. Chris collected Sarj's pass on his reverse stick and dribbled past the advancing keeper to slot home from 10 yards. The second goal was coolly scored by Takhar when he lobbed the advancing keeper after a smart pass from Sonny Matharu. Gavi Singh added his name to the score sheet just before half time with a well worked short corner. Rugeley were the stronger team in the first period of the second half and got a well deserved goal 10 minutes into the restart. Rugeley's goal prompted Kingswinford into action and Kaza Purewal won a string of short corners one of which was converted by super defender Ashraf Baig. Man of the match goes to teenager Giles Pargeter who made a string of saves in the second half to preserve Kingswinford's lead.

2nd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 3 Stafford
Goal Scorer: Fergus Forsyth

KINGSWINFORD were brought back down to earth with a defeat against high-flying Stafford. The visitors laid siege on Kings goal in the first 10 minutes but could not penetrate a stubborn defence. But a short corner routine on 12 minutes broke Kings resistance and keeper Tim Sanders was left stranded minutes later when Stafford scored through open play. In-form Fergus Forsyth posted a warning shot on 22 minutes when he forced a save from Micky Hinton's superb aerial pass. Then Hinton almost scored from a short corner forcing a fine save from Stafford's busy keeper. The game went from bad to worse in the second half when a shot hit Sharm Dhaliwal's foot and looped over Sanders head into the goal on the hour. Kings piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes and got their reward when Forsyth fired home Richard Turner's pass for his fourth of the season. Despite having Stafford on the ropes they could not find a way through and the final whistle came all too soon. Skipper Sol Buckner said: "We're just missing some firepower at the moment. But I can't fault the effort from the players."

3rd Team (Match Report by Surjit Nijjar)
Streetly 4 - 5 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Kuldip Randhawa (2), Ranjit Bhadal (2), Ravi Johal

Kingswinford 3rds got their first league win of the season with goals from Super Veterans Kuldip Randhawa, Ranjit Bhadal & Ravi Johal. The veterans with a combined age of 155 took their goals well after good work from Ginge Sehmbi & Sati Takhar in midfield. Streetly made sure that they were in the match by responding to each of Kingswinford’s goals within 5 minutes. Dulla Sandhu & Sarj Nijjar ensured that they did not score the vital 5th goal thus allowing Kingswinford to win 3 points for the first time this season. Stand In Skipper Billy Sandhu " I am really pleased we won today and we can build on this in the coming weeks".

Badgers (Match cancelled - Walsall failed to turn up - Badgers played Club Match)
Kingswinford v Walsall

Report of games played on Saturday 8th November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Mehran Navi)
Kingswinford 3 - 3 Stafford
Goal Scorers: Sarj Takhar (2), Chris Brown

Kingswinford started this match at a slow pace with all the early attacking by Stafford. The visitors won a penalty flick on 5 minutes which was saved by Mark Stevenson. Sarj Takhar then scored two brilliant goals from 'D' top to give Kings the lead. Stafford pulled one back on 20 minutes. Chris Brown scored a sweetly struck goal to restore Kingswinford’s 2 goal lead at the stroke of half time. The second half saw Stafford tightly mark Sarj & Chris and Kings had no outlet for their attacks. Stafford capitalised on errors in defence to snatch a deserved point. Billu commented "We missed Harpreet Hundal today and we were unlucky at the end with Gavi hitting the post. We had a lot of spectators today and should have got the win for them". Man of match Mark Stevenson.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kynoch 0 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorer: Fergus Forsyth (3), Sol Buckner

TEENAGE striker Fergus Forsyth scored a dream debut hat-trick to inspire a well-earned 4-0 win in Kingstanding, Birmingham. The 17-year-old Old Swinford Hospital schoolboy returned from a half-term break with a spring in his stride to terrorise the Kynoch defence. His first goal came on 12 minutes when he rattled home Andy Cutler's short corner injection to kick-start a brilliant team performance. And minutes later the youngster grabbed his second with another well executed short corner strike. A solid defence, well marshalled by veterans Parj Sangha and Sharm Dhaliwal, had little trouble as they saw out the first half. Kings started the second half in similar fashion piling on the pressure with Forsyth and fellow Old Swinford schoolboy Charlie Norman causing havoc in attack. On the hour man-of-the-match Forsyth collected Cutler's inch perfect pass. He then beat two defenders before chipping the ball over the advancing keeper to complete his hat-trick. Livewire Norman was unlucky not to have scored with a bullet of a short corner strike fired just over the backboard. Skipper Sol Buckner smashed home a fourth from a short corner on 66 minutes to complete a memorable away day. Delighted Buckner said: "Fergus and Charlie were outstanding and made a major difference.”Their workrate was fantastic and I just hope they can keep it up. The team worked hard and we got our just rewards." Kings welcome Stafford to the Dell Stadium on Saturday for a 2.30pm push back.

3rd Team (Match Report by Richard Horton)
Kingswinford 2 - 3 Hampton-in-Arden
Goal Scorers: Kuldip Randhawa, Ranjit Bhadal

Kingswinford took the lead through veteran strikers Kuldip Randhawa and Ranjit Bhadal. Hampton-In-Arden piled on the pressure and there were some good tackles by Sati Takhar and Harry Singh. Ginge Sehmbi and Billy Sandhu held the Kingswinford midfield together. Youngsters Jon Craggs & James Wheeler provided the hard running. The second half saw Kingswinford get tired and as a result Hampton were able to breach Liam Smith’s Goal 3 times in the last 10 minutes. Harry Gill said “We should have won that game but our fitness let us down and we will work on that". Man of the Match: Sati Takhar.

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kings Heath Pickwick 3 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Cole Hickman (2), Sunny Uppal

Kingswinford let slip a three goal advantage in the last fifteen minutes to gift Kings Heath Pickwick an unlikely draw. Kingswinford dominated play in the first half and took the lead on 25 minutes through a deflected flick from Cole Hickman. K’ford took up where they left off in the second half extending their lead early on with a well taken strike from Sunny Uppal after good work by livewire winger Sam George. Kings made the score 3-0 with some excellent passing movements between Guneet Uppal and Cole Hickman in the KHP half, finished off with a deft strike by Hickman. KHP started their comeback with a deflected strike which was just out of the reach of the K’ford keeper Tom Hickman. Sophie Tibbetts then took a blow to the head in the KHP ‘D’ from a loose swing but were denied a penalty flick. This continued when KHP pulled back a second goal after a disputed free hit advantage was allowed by the umpire. KHP equalised in the dying seconds against the run of play to gain an undeserved draw. Captain Tim Sanders commented he was well pleased with his team’s work rate and passing movements through out the game.
Man of the Match- James Rawlings

Report of games played on Sunday 2nd November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Mark Stevenson)
Kingswinford 4 - 0 Chaddesley Corbett
Goal Scorers: Gavi Singh (2), Ravi Johal, Chris Brown

Kingswinford were missing 6 regular 1st team players for this re-arranged fixture and the players called-up from the second & thirds played their part in this excellent win. Gavi Singh opened the scoring with a well taken goal after good work from Julian Turner & Happi Hundal. Chris Brown added the second after a cross from re-called veteran Ravi Johal. It was 3-0 to Kings just before half time when Gavi grabbed his second following a mix-up in the Chaddesley defence. The second half saw Ravi Johal score a goal which has become his trade-mark over the last 25 years. Running onto a 1-2 with Sarj Takhar he slotted home from 6 yards. Towards the end of the second half there was a Yellow Card for Manager Billu Sandhu after he protested with the umpire against a harsh short corner. Kingswinford had to take a player off and Sarj Takhar volunteered. Takhar commented ''That was a good win. As for the yellow, I thought I would go off, I'm use to the walk of shame from my previous years; it brought back some memories!". Man of the Match Ravi Johal.

Vintage (No Match Report yet)
Chesterfield 4 - 4 Kingswinford (4 - 3 after penalty strokes)
Goal Scorers: Manjit Sidhu, Ranjit Bhadal (2), Sati Takhar

Report of games played on Saturday 1st November 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Lubby Ram)
Aldridge 0 - 20 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Chris Brown (5), Sarj Takhar (5), Daman Johal (3), Happi Hundal (2), Gavi Singh (2), Hari Singh, Sonny Matharu, Richard Brown

Kingswinford played league strugglers Aldridge at Alumwell School Walsall. Kingswinford got off to a perfect start against a make shift Aldridge Team when Chris Brown scored his hat-trick within 15 minutes after good one two's with Sarj Takhar & Harpreet Hundal. Takhar then scored his hat-trick before half-time with Sonny Matharu, Richard Brown & Veteran Hari Singh also getting on the score sheet. The rout continued in the second half when Takhar & Brown netted 2 more goals each to make it 5 each. Gavi Singh & Harpreet Hundal got a brace each but the youngster Daman Johal grabbed the headlines with his first hat-trick on his 1st team league debut. Man of the Match Lubby Ram - No Mistakes in Defence for a change.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 1 - 5 Bloxwich
Goal Scorer: Richard Turner

Skipper Sol Buckner read the riot act to his sorry side on Saturday after they slumped to a third successive defeat. Despite another blistering start with Richard Turner scoring on three minutes, Kings once again fell apart. The visitors replied through two short corners despite some excellent work from teenage keeper Giles Pargeter on his second team debut. The second half was a familiar story as Kings failed to capitalise on a series of short corners and succumbed to three more goals. Buckner said: "You work hard in training and organising the team all week and don't expect performances like that. We are not even competing which is even more frustrating."

3rd Team (Match cancelled)
Stratford v Kingswinford

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 2 - 2 West Bromwich
Goal Scorers: Sunny Uppal, Cole Hickman

K’ford continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought draw against local rivals West Brom at the Dell Stadium. They soon took the lead through a deflected strike from Sunny Uppal but West Brom replied before half time. K’ford regained the lead through Cole Hickman but a few minutes from the end a West Brom striker beat four K’ford defenders to score an equaliser which ended K’ford’s dream of another win.
Man of the Match- Richard Lloyd

Report of games played on Saturday 25th October 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Sonny Matharu)
Kingswinford 6 - 1 Barlaston
Goal Scorers: Cole Hickman, Sarj Takhar (2), Happi Hundal, Gavi Singh (2)

TEENAGER Cole Hickman scored on his league debut to spark a six goal demolition of Barlaston at The Dell Stadium on Saturday. The 14-year-old made the huge step up from the Badgers to the first team and did not let captain Lubby Ram down. Hickman collected Sarj Takhar's cross and fired home from close range to give Kings the perfect start in the opening five minutes. Takhar then rifled home two well taken goals on 15 and 20 minutes. Then just before the break Harpreet Hundal made it 4-0 firing in a well-taken short corner. A sluggish start to the second half saw the Staffordshire visitors pull a goal back when a striker burst past Ram to slot home from the top D. Kings finally woke up and Chris Brown hit the post but Gavi Singh was on hand to bury the rebound. Singh then grabbed a second with a deft reverse stick shot following Sonny Matharu's pass to wrap up the game.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Barlaston 6 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal Scorer: Dean Holyoake

Defensive mistakes cost Kingswinford dearly as they were hit-for-six in this tough BodyKraft West Midlands league two clash. Kings were once again forced to chase the game from the outset as the hosts scored twice in quick succession. Then Sol Buckner's beleaguered side was forced to play with 10 men when Kuli Toora was yellow carded for allegedly pushing a player in the D. The umpire awarded a controversial penalty flick which was rolled into the net. A brief second half fight back saw Dean Holyoake rifle home Buckner's defence-splitting pass on 40 minutes. Despite the return of Toora after serving a five minute suspension, Kings quickly fell apart and gifted Barlaston three more goals. Future starlet Richard Lloyd earned man-of-the-match on his league debut aged just 16. Buckner said: "The sending off and penalty were really harsh and knocked the stuffing out of us. We're struggling on all fronts at the moment and quickly need some stability in the side. It was a very disappointing game." Kings welcome Bloxwich to The Dell Stadium on Saturday (Nov 2) for a 2.30pm push back.

3rd Team (Match Report by Billy Sandhu)
Kingswinford 5 - 5 Bloxwich
Goal Scorers: Ranjit Bhadal (4), Dulla Sandhu

A four goal haul by veteran Ranjit Bhadal helped Kingswinford third team to a share of the spoils at the Dell Stadium. Dulla Sandhu scored the fifth goal to ensure the points were shared. Defensive slip ups let the visitors back into the game but new captain Harry Gill was happy to take his first point of the season.

Badgers (Match cancelled - Wolverhampton unable to field a side - Badgers played Club Match)
Kingswinford v Wolverhampton

Report of games played on Saturday 18th October 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Sarj Takhar)
Oswestry 4 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Chris Brown, Happi Hundal

Kingswinford started this match badly and found themselves 2-0 down within 5 minutes after a dreadful error by Captain Lubby Ram. Worse was to follow when on the 10 minute mark Oswestry scored a further well worked goal. Kingswinford responded well and got into the rythm of things when Sarj Takhar picked up a through ball from Kaz Purewal and crossed for Chris Brown to score. At 3-1 Kingswinford were in with a chance of recovering this match. Just after the break Harpreet Hundal made it 3-2 and game on. Kingswinford pressed for that elusive 3rd goal. However it was Oswestry that struck again after they won a free hit on the left following a foul hit from Azad Akhtar. The ball was drilled into the Kings 'D' and the Oswestry striker put the match beyond Kingswinford with a deft touch. Lots of silly errors by Kings today.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 0 - 4 Evesham

A WEAKENED second team paid the price on Saturday as Kingswinford were brought crashing back down to earth by Evesham. After the previous week's heroics against Pershore, Sol Buckner's side saw themselves on the wrong side of a 4-0 home drubbing at The Dell Stadium. The visitors were made to work hard for their points as they were unable to penetrate a defence well marshalled by man-of-the-match Tim Sanders. And despite several short corner chances, Kings were once again unable to convert. Cruelly they fell to two short corner sucker punches just before the break leaving rookie keeper Chris Rawlings no chance. In the second half Sanders had Kings best chance to score but his short corner clattered the keeper’s pads. Evesham scored twice more from short corners to kill off the game. Disappointed skipper Buckner said: "We missed players and it showed. Our short corner routine needs a lot of work but it's still early days."

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Evesham 7 - 0 Kingswinford

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 9 - 1 Streetly
Goal Scorers: Sophie Tibbetts, Cole Hickman (3), Sunny Uppal (3), Guneet Uppal, Alex Gutteridge

K’ford continued their winning start to the season with a 9-1 win over Streetly on a partially leaf covered pitch at the Dell Stadium. K’ford took an early lead through Sophie Tibbetts which was quickly followed by a well worked strike by Cole Hickman. The lead was increased just before half time when Sunny Uppal scored his first of the game to make the score 3-0 at the break. K’ford picked up where they left off after the break wrecking havoc in the Streetly defence with some excellent speedy counter attacking play and soon made the score line read 8-0 to the home side thanks to two goals in quick succession from Cole Hickman which helped to complete his hat trick, a brilliantly worked short corner strike from Sunny Uppal, and two close in strikes from Guneet Uppal and Alex Gutteridge. Streetly grabbed a consolation goal from a well worked free hit but K’ford completed the rout when Sunny Uppal rattled the back of the goal to complete his hat trick. Team captain Tim Sanders said “he was delighted with his team's all round performance”. Man of the Match - Richard Lloyd.

Report of games played on Sunday 12th October 2008

EH Vets Cup (No Match Report)
Burton 8 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Ranjit Bhadal, Lubby Ram

Report of games played on Saturday 11th October 2008

1st Team (Match Postponed)
Kingswinford v Chaddesley Corbett.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Pershore 0 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sarj Takhar, Daman Johal (3)

A SUPERB hat-trick from teenage winger Daman Johal capped an impressive 4-0 whitewash of Pershore. The 15-year-old earned man-of-the-match in an outstanding team performance on a warm Autumn day. Kings were made to work hard in the first half but more than matched their opponents with Sarj Takhar running riot against the home defence. Kings defended well with new boy Sharm Dhaliwal leading the line. Rookie keeper Chris Rawlings made a string of superb saves and Mick Hinton saved a goalbound shot on the line to keep Pershore at bay. And the hard-work paid off just before the break when skipper Sol Buckner fed Takhar on the right wing. The striker skipped past three defenders to slot through the keepers legs from close range. And Kings turned the screw in the second half when Fergus Forsyth combined with Takhar to feed Johal on 47 minutes for a simple tap in. Minutes later Kaza Purewal and Takhar combined to feed Johal again who finished from close range and kill off the game. And the livewire winger popped up again on 65 minutes to tap in another fine move involving Forsyth, Buckner and Takhar. Delighted skipper Buckner said: “It was a superb team performance where every player put in 100 per cent. “Daman deserved his hat-trick and is mature beyond his years. I am very proud of the team – I could not have asked for any more.” Kingswinford welcome Evesham to The Dell Stadium on Saturday with a 2:30pm push back.

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 2 Pershore
Goal Scorer: ?

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Sutton Coldfield 1 - 6 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sophie Tibbetts (2), Sam George (2), Cole Hickman (2)
K’ford continued their fine form with a first league win of the season at Sutton Coldfield. K’ford soon took the lead through Sophie Tibbetts and this was quickly followed by a goal from Sam George. This lead was further extended when Cole Hickman scored. Sutton Coldfield grabbed a goal back but Cole Hickman grabbed another goal to make the score 4-1 at half time. K’ford scored two more after half time through further goals from Sam and Sophie. K’ford held off Sutton Coldfield in the final fifteen minutes to make the final score 6-1 to K’ford.
Man of the Match - Matt Hall

Report of games played on Saturday 4th October 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Lubby Ram)
Yardley 0 - 11 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Shahzad Latif (3), Sarj Takhar (3), Chris Brown (2), Happi Hundal (2), Azad Akhtar

For the first time this season Kingswinford were able to field a strong team. The match was played at a competitive level throughout and Yardley were better than the scoreline suggests. Happi Scored the first through a sweetly struck short corner on 5 minutes. Sarj Takhar added goals 2 & 3 by the fifteen minute mark. Chris Brown then open his account for the season by netting a brace before half time. The second half was all the Latif show. Takhar turned provider for Latif and the burly striker fully punished his former club. Latif added 3 more before the end and there was even time for Azad Akhtar to get on the score sheet. Team Manager Billu Sandhu said ''That was an excellent performance. Latif was very good and really should have scored more than 4. All the goals involved brilliant build-up play which was pleasing to watch, Sarj Takhar finished off and created some good moves today''. Man of the Match goes to Sarj Takhar.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 2 - 4 Market Drayton
Goal Scorer: Richard Turner, Sol Buckner

A STRING of goalkeeping mistakes proved costly for Kingswinford in a six-goal hockey thriller at the Dell Stadium. Evergreen winger Richard Turner gave Kings seconds the perfect league start with a superbly taken goal on four minutes. The 59-year-old latched onto Fergus Forsyth’s pass to slot home from a narrow angle. Skipper Sol Buckner’s men won a string of corners but the visitors hit back on 20 minutes when a deflected shot left keeper Chris Rawlings stranded. Rawlings was again wrong-footed just before the break when a shot sneaked in at the near post. The visitors extended their lead on 55 minutes when another speculative shot drifted into the net. Kings were given hope minutes later when Buckner drilled home Forsyth’s short corner, but Drayton grabbed a fourth. Disappointed skipper Buckner said: “We need to work on a few things especially goalkeeping and short corners.” Kings travel to Pershore on Saturday (3pm).

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Stafford 4 - 1 Kingswinford
Goal Scorer: Harry Gill

Report of games played on Saturday 27th September 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Lubby Ram)
Barford Tigers 6 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Shahzad Latif, Happi Hundal

Kingswinford lost the last of the friendly preparation matches against a strong Barford Tigers 2nd X1. Kings were unable to repeat last year's excellent result and were missing regulars Gavi Singh, Sarj Takhar, Ravi Johal, Chris & Richard Brown which made a huge difference. Barford opened the scoring with 2 well worked goals. Kings replied through Latif. Barford added 2 more and Hapreet Hundal pulled one back for Kings.
The end result was 6-2 to Barford. Many thanks goes to the support of the 2nd team members who helped us out this week.

2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 1 - 7 Barford Tigers
Goal Scorer: Sol Buckner

A SHORT-CORNER strike from skipper Sol Buckner was scant reward in a hard-fought friendly against Barford Tigers. Buckner was forced to field several youngsters in a below strength second team at the sun-drenched Dell Stadium. And early pressure paid off when Fergus Forsyth and Andy Cutler helped win a short within minutes of the start. Buckner stepped up from defence to strike home Cutler's injection which went in off a defender's foot. The visitors responded instantly and scored four times in open play before the break. In the second half, Kings worked hard to get back into the game but were impeded by some harsh short corner decisions which Barford capitalised on. Forsyth and fellow Old Swinford schoolboy Charles Norman carved out some good opportunities but could not find a way through an experienced Tigers defence. And Keeper Tim Sanders made a string of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay. Buckner said: "We fielded badgers and third team players in an under-strength side. "The lads worked hard but Barford were just too strong for us. "I have a lot of work to do before the start of the league on Saturday." Kings welcome Market Drayton Seconds to the Dell on Saturday for the first league game of the new season. Push back is 2.30pm

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Barford Tigers 6 - 3 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Mick Hinton, Sarj Takhar (2)

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Kingswinford 1 - 0 Barford Tigers
Goal Scorer: Sunny Uppal

K’ford finished their pre season friendlies with another win. K’ford took the lead early in the game through Sunny Uppal and were unlucky not to extend their lead having a shot from Cole Hickman cleared off the line. This continued into the second half with Cole hitting the post from a short corner. In the final ten minutes Barford upped the tempo but were kept out by some sharp defending and good saves from the K’ford keeper.

Report of games played on Saturday 20th September 2008

1st Team (Match Report by Adam Pritchard)
Kingswinford 3 - 4 Ashby
Goal Scorers: Gavi Singh, Sarj Takhar (2)

Kingswinford put last week's debacle behind them with an excellent performance against Ashby. The visitors took the lead early on and added a second by 10 minutes. Gavi Singh made it 2-1 on the stroke of half time with a wonderfully worked short corner.
Lubby Ram settled his differences (from last week) with striker Sarj Takhar and Sarj repaid the captain with two masterclass finishes to make the scoreline 3-2 in Kingswinford’s favour. His first goal was a super strike from 'D' top after picking up an aerial pass from Gavi.
Kingswinford were in control of the game and only conceded two late goals after 2 rare mistakes from Lubby. Kingswinford will welcome back 1st team regulars next week after asking the youngsters to help out over the last two matches.

2nd Team (No Match Report yet)
Pershore 6 - 2 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Charlie Norman, Richard Turner

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 9 Pershore
Goal Scorer: Mick Hinton

Badgers (Match Report by Tom Hickman)
Streetly 2 - 4 Kingswinford
Goal Scorers: Sunny Uppal, Sophie Tibbetts, Thomas Hickman, Guneet Uppal

Kingswinford Badgers got off to a good start in this pre season fixture. They soon opened the scoring with a goal from Sunny Uppal which was quickly followed with a goal from Sophie Tibbets after good work by Cole Hickman. Ten minutes into the second half Streetly won a penalty flick which was converted but a few minutes later K’ford’s lead was increased by Thomas Hickman. Streetly gave themselves hope with a goal but this was short lived when Guneet Uppal scored for K’ford. In the last ten minutes K’ford took their foot off the pedal but Streetly were kept out by some excellent defending.
Man of the Match - Guneet Uppal

Report of games played on Saturday 13th September 2008

1st/2nd Team (Match Report by Sol Buckner)
Kingswinford 1 - 10 West Bromwich
Goal Scorer: Daman Johal

TEENAGE striker Daman Johal's well-taken goal was the only highlight of a poor display in this first pre-season friendly against local rivals West Bromwich. In sweltering conditions at the sun-drenched Dell Stadium, the well-drilled visitors put on a masterclass performance sweeping aside Lubby Ram's rusty looking side. Guest goalkeeper Wasim Iqbal was kept busy from the off as West Bromwich, who play one division higher, piled on the pressure. And the young keeper was soon picking the ball out of the net as his defence was breached three times in almost as many minutes. Sarj Takhar was subsituted for 15-year-old Johal early in the game but the onslaught continued. Skipper Ram, Richard Brown and Adam Pritchard worked hard to keep out the marauding visitors as they grabbed another three goals to take a 6-0 lead at the break. Ram worked hard to inspire his team with a heated half-time pep talk and it immediately paid off after the re-start. Johal cracked home a bullet of a finish after good work from Gavi Singh on 39 minutes. West Brom then upped the tempo grabbing four more goals as they ran-riot against a tired-looking Kings side. And Iqbal was more relieved to hear the final whistle than most after a torrid time between the sticks. Disappointed skipper Ram said: "I was not that bothered about the score because it was about the team performance. And we need to work hard on our fitness and discipline if we are going to have any success this season." Kingswinford Firsts welcome Ashby-de-la-Zouch to The Dell on Saturday with a 2.30pm pushback.

3rd Team (No Match Report yet)
Kingswinford 1 - 6 Bournville
Goal Scorer: Cole Hickman

Badgers (Match Cancelled by Bournville)
Bournville v Kingswinford

Report of Saturday 6th September 2008

All Teams
Club Matches Cancelled due to flooded pitch