Kingstonian 1-0 Dover Athletic
IT'S NOT ALL DOVER UNTIL THE RATT-RAY SCORES

K's set out to avenge the 5-1 thrashing received on the South-East corner of Britain earlier in the season in front of a typical Kingsmeadow crowd and a sizeable proportion of travelling Dover fans. Good to see that they brought so many with them because it seemed that all the K's contingent had their minds elsewhere. Still, a near first team played with the only real exception being Tom White playing for Matt Crossley. Danny Smith, Wayne Brown and Jerome John were all present but only in Block K of the stand.

The only goal of the game came in the first real move of the game. K's were awarded an innocuous looking free-kick on the left. Pitcher proceeded to deliver the floated ball and Rattray rose to flick it on. The ball looped inside the right hand post and K's were celebrating. Was it really as easy as that? Ratters certainly seemed to think so. Following this though, Patterson earned his hoops at the other end when he headed clear from Carruthers who would have had a very good chance to equal the scores.

But, as the early part of the game continued, it looked most likely that K's would be the team to score 5 today. Harris' mis-control lost him a chance of getting another, and Leworthy was only inches away when he turned and fired an amazing lob from all of twenty-five yards. Though the keeper was hardly off his line, he was well beaten and Dave was truly unlucky not to score against his old club.

At the other end, Carruthers was almost performing a one man show. His run and shot from the right was then whipped across the goal causing untold trouble. Shortly after this the referee had his worst spell. Leworthy put in a shot which went wide but somoehow K's received a corner. Unfortunately there was no chance to take advantage as the ref soon gave the visitors a free-kick. Don't know why though...

Simon Stewart had put in a number of stern challenges. In Crossley's absence he was in charge (though Leworthy wore the arm band), and his defending on the line just before the break was exceptional. Football's something he's quite good at.

The teams emerged for the second half with Delton Francis on for Akuamoah. He immediately caused trouble firing in a fierce shot from the right which Mitten was equal to. This signalled the start of the keepers' section of events. Farralley then showed that he ain't bad either when he stopped a header from ex-Sutton Vansittart after a cross by Hynes. But the save of the match was definitely by Mitten. With K's in possession on the left the ball was put across and flicked on by Harris. Leworthy fired in a perfectly hit volley which produced a stunning diving save by the 'keeper. Leworthy could only curse his luck while all else applauded.

From then on you got the impression that there weren't going to be many more goals. Mustafa had a good shot from the right, Delton Francis and Kevin Rattray both put in good headers but they were both to no avail. Late substitutions by Chapple couldn't change things. And Nyamah and Tranter were probably not really expected to make the difference. Still, it was left to Simon Stewart to earn the points again when he headed clear on his own goal line. As the game ended Leberi hacked down Rattray. But he proved alright.

K's won the three points by the most slender of margins. Though the aggregate score was 5-2, Patterson's goal was still the best and the points were shared. And who cares? We've got bigger fish to fry.