New K&P manager Herbert makes double winning start

Celebrations as Kirkley & Pakefield enjoy a late winner in their 2-1 triumph over Woodbridge Town. Pictures: Bryan Grint. (Image: Archant)

Last Thursday, first team manager Gary McGee decided to stand down from the role due to work commitments and personal reasons.

Following a meeting, and with the new league season starting just two days later on the Saturday, the club appointed highly respected club captain Jack Herbert as player-manager with former manager Mark Willis assisting Jack whilst awaiting clearance for his new coaching job in China.

Elliot Reynolds is now goalkeeping coach.

The first matches of the new 2020/21 Thurlow Nunn Premier Division League season took place last Saturday with The Royals away at Hadleigh United.

Herbert made two changes from the team defeated in the FA Cup with Callum Bell starting in place of Anthony Etheridge and Kaiden Goldspink coming in for the injured Cameron Brooks.

After 15 minutes Goldspink’s free kick was partially saved by the home keeper and Haverson had a follow up shot saved.

Goldspink had a 38th minute shot from inside the area saved, before Flower headed over and Russell’s shot was saved.

The Royals took an early second half lead in the 47th minute when a brilliant strike from outside the area by Danny Conroy, which flew past the keeper giving him no chance.

With both teams giving their all, The Royals held firm with Conroy having another effort kept out. At the other end Smith in goal was having a quiet afternoon but Hadleigh did go close with one effort being cleared off the line.

With under 15 minutes remaining K&P were reduced to ten men temporally when Kyle Haylock was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

With minutes remaining Conroy’s 25-yard shot went narrowly wide before the final whistle signalled a good three point start for K&P and the new management team.

Kirkley & Pakefield: J Smith, C Bell, A Meeken, B George, J Herbert, L Flower, K Haylock, C Russell, D Conroy, J Haverson, K Goldspink. Subs unused: A Etheridge, K Underdown, T Harmer, E Reynolds.

On Tuesday evening K&P played their first home league match when entertaining Woodbridge Town.

The Royals suffered a major double blow before kick off when both central defenders Jack Herbert and Lewis Flower pulled up injured in the warm up and had to be replaced in the starting 11 by Kieren Underdown and Ian Dawson.

After an even start to the game Woodbridge took the lead on 35 minutes with a shot from inside the six yard box.

In the 43rd minute a good run by Meeken saw his centre find Kyle Haylock who neatly fired home for the equaliser.

The second half saw Conroy have a good shot saved, then Haylock blasted over from close range.

On 65 minutes Goldspink gave way to Louis Tillett, who was making his first team debut.

A dangerous Woodbridge move saw keeper Smith lobbed but the ball went wide.

On 83 minutes Russell was replaced by Anthony Etheridge and in the 89th minute a great run and centre by Danny Conroy found Tillett, who turned and shot home past the keeper for his first goal in senior football and the winner for The Royal’ to maintain an unbeaten league start to the season with two wins from two games.

Kirkley & Pakefield: J Smith, C Bell, A Meeken, B George, K Underdown, I Dawson, K Haylock, C Russell (A Etheridge), D Conroy, J Haverson, K Goldspink (L Tillett). Subs unused: E Reynolds.

This Saturday K&P travel to Essex to play Stanway Rovers, 3PM kick off.

The Reserves started their new season with a home match at Walmer Road against Easton last Saturday losing 2-1, with Louis Tillett scoring and young keeper Denham Oliver producing an exceptional performance.

This Saturday they are away at Attleborough Town, 2.30PM kick off.

Next Thursday the K&P U18s are in league action against Bungay Town at Walmer Road, 7.45PM kick off.

Colin Smith