Cheltenham Town 1-3 Kingstonian
WHATEVER WILL BE WILL BE
Kingstonian again travelled to the successful half of Gloucestershire,
but this time they were followed by a healthy band of (merry)
supporters. Of course, the home team had also boosted its supporters
and with both teams naming full strength starting line ups (bar
cup-tied players) this game had everything for a thrilling match. With
the scores from the first match equal, it was only ninety minutes that
would decide who would be walking onto the Wembley turf come May 15th.
And who won't stop going on about it for some time before and
afterwards.
K's started brightly, but there was no real expectancy for what was to
occur as early as the fourth minute. Akuamoah rounded Chris Banks but
was upended and won a free kick, a few yards in from the left corner
flag. Pitcher stepped up to take the cross and his floater went over
Book's head and was perfectly positioned for Matt Crossley to score
with a free header from merely a yard out. This sloppy goal sent the
travelling fans wild and it all looked good for the rest of the
game.
However, Cheltenham were soon to attempt a reply by fair means or foul.
Fair by winning a corner, foul by the first atrocious Grayson elbow.
But K's defending was tight, and was typified on one notable occasion
an excellent challenge by Luckett on the right flank, covering for team
mate Mustafa.
But K's could have had their second when Akuamoah ran onto a bouncing
ball and perfectly touched the ball to Leworthy whose shot was
deflected. Again a good chance was wasted when another Pitcher free
kick was left by the entire Cheltenham defence. This time though, no
K's player could meet it.
Grayson was again a very influential person in this game. His diving,
his cheating and, though it hurts to say, his skill. He eased past
Crossley but put his shot just wide mid way during the first half. But
then the pressure swept to the other end. Pitcher's pass to Luckett
saw the defender cross the ball towards Rattray. His headed touch
dropped to Akuamoah whose shot again fell wide of the upright.
K's could have, perhaps should have, had a penalty to really get a two
goal cushion. A clear push by Russell Milton raised a huge appeal but the
referee was having none of it. And so to the other end, where
Cheltenham had a sustained period of pressure involving two corner
kicks and culminating in a wayward shot by John Brough. Shortly after
this Clive Walker's pass to Duff saw the full-back obstructed and an
indirect free kick just inside of the area was awarded. Matt Crossley
was straight out to block the subsequent shot and then ran down the
other end to set up an attack. He was very unlucky not to receive a
better ball from Mustafa, and the attack eventually broke down.
The fury created by the Cheltenham team was again eminent when
Rob Bloomer clearly elbowed Patterson. Curiously, the referee gave the
free kick but deemed that punishment enough. Seconds later Mustafa
received a head injury but play went on for some time before Milton
had a shot which went awry. Rattray was rightly booked after this for
a bad challenge on Duff.
4:10pm saw the kick off of the second half. It commenced with
persistent niggling by Lee Howells on Crossley. Crossley retaliated and
was booked for his actions, but only after the intervention of Grayson
who was seen to be arguing the case for the prosecutor. Grayson again
made himself unpopular when he lead with his elbow against Steve
Farraley making no effort to get the ball. Thankfully for the K's
keeper though, he was only hit in the chest. However, it remains that
Grayson's persistent foul play has been unequalled this season, and one
day he will cause injury or will have injury inflicted upon
him.
On 55 minutes K's took the 2 goal lead that they had been threatening
for so long. Pitcher came in from the left and despite a handball
claim floated the ball towards the back post where Leworthy toe poked
the ball into the net.
As the celebrations were in full swing Cheltenham did stage comeback
threats. They were awarded a number of corners and Knight went on
a good run which needed the presence of mind of Crossley to put in a
good block. A very good chance for The Robins occurred when Grayson
won a good flick on and put Mark Freeman in at the back put he put it
over. Milton also had a good chance but just proceeded in giving
Farralley catching practice. Later on the K's keeper had to dive at
the feet of Brough but retrieved the ball. Typically, Brough
then tried to kcik it out of his hands whilst on the floor.
The best of the chances that the home team had in this spell fell to
Howells. As caution was thrown to the wind, he linked up superbly
with Knight, who released the ball at precisely the right time when
he had two defenders on him to leave Howells in space with only the
keeper to beat. Perhaps it was that he had too much time, but he
wasted the best chance of the game by pushing the ball just wide of the
right hand post. However, the break through did occur on 78 minutes
when Grayson scored from just inside the area with the aid of a
deflection of Mustafa.
The Cheltenham Massive soon found their voices and it all looked
ominous for the boys in yellow. Grayson was continually looking for
free-kicks and you just felt as though he might be awarded one. Mark
Harris took particular objection to another dive, this time by
Norton. With time ticking away something was going to give, and we
all hoped it wouldn't be Kingston's chances.
Thankfully it wasn't, with some shouting at players not to attack and
to defend the slender 1 goal margin, Pitcher fled down the right wing
and flighted another great ball to the back post. This time it was
Patterson who was there to give K's an unassailable lead with just
three minutes left.
And before we knew it the referee had blown for full time. K's had
guaranteed their place at the twin towers, and the parties were set in
motion. It's a shame one of the coaches was bricked, because a bizarre
rapport had emerged at the end of the game with opposing fans
congratulating each other on their success in separate competitions,
and it was all very amicable.
K's deserved the win. All the players played superbly and Chapple's
magic continues.
WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY
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Sat 17th Apr 1999 |
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4425 |
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FA Trophy Semi final 2nd leg |
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Cheltenham Town | 1 |
Kingstonian | 3 |
Crossley, Leworthy, Patterson |
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1 | Steve Farrelly | | |
2 | Tarkan Mustafa | | |
3 | Colin Luckett | | |
4 | Matt Crossley | | |
5 | Simon Stewart | | |
6 | Mark Harris | | |
7 | Gary Patterson | | |
8 | Geoff Pitcher | | |
9 | Kevin Rattray | | |
10 | David Leworthy | | 15 |
11 | Eddie Akuamoah | | 14 |
12 | Wayne Brown | | |
13 | Jerome John | | |
14 | Delton Francis | | 11 |
15 | Kofi Nyamah | | 10 |
16 | Andrew Sullivan | | |
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Matt Crossley |
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Gary Ekins |
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