It is fair to say that these are not universally popular with clubs, due to the low gates they attract at midweek games and the possibility of injuries or overload on players in a highly competitive division where the main aim is promotion to Step 4 or progress in the FA Cup or Vase.

It does give a chance to fringe or young players to show what they can do and this was certainly apparent when Kings exited the Premier Division Cup 12 days earlier only to a stoppage time winner at league leaders Risborough Rangers.

Today’s fixture, the overall League Cup, was switched to a vacant Saturday and ironically attracted a reasonable sized crowd. However, on this occasion, those brought in, and their first team counterparts had a distinctly off day.

It should be noted however, that the visitors may be one of the few clubs that do not share the above mentioned sentiments, as they fielded a virtually full strength side, including Sean Duodu, making his debut on a dual registration from Hitchin Town.

It all started well enough for the Kings, as George Hughes was brought down in a surging run across the box and BJ Christie stepped up for the spot kick. Karl Daly guessed correctly to parry the effort, but the teenage enthusiasm of Bobby Lowe saw him react faster than everybody else to net the rebound, his first for the Club.

Kings had been in total control for the minutes preceding and after the spot kick, but United equalised on their first attack four minutes later. There was a strong hint of offside as Duodu broke to beat Connor Coulson, but no doubt about his second 10

minutes later when Coulson punched the ball away from a cross and Duodu lashed

home the rebound. He completed his hat trick four minutes before the break when the

midfield lost possession and he ran on to score with a low shot.

When skipper Jaiden Irish’s speculative low shot made it four early in the second half

the contest was well and truly over and Kings rare chance of consolation failed to be

realised when Edu shot straight at Daly late on.

A difficult game to read too much into, but while it clears the decks for concentration

on the League promotion hunt and progress in the FA Vase, the manner of the exit

made for an uncomfortable afternoon’s viewing, one that probably posed more

questions than answers for the management.