Kingstonian 2-0 Hereford United
JEROME STOPS BULLS

Kingstonian won their first ever conference game in front of a fairly well sized crowd, in the warm August sun. An almost new defence with Harris, Stewart and Culverhouse making league debuts, joined last season's mid-field and attack to form a side which must be near to Chapple's ideal eleven.

It was Hereford who started the stronger of the two teams, and had all of the first five minutes of the play. But after that it was all K's for the rest of the first half. Gary Patterson steered the midfield admirably, and there appeared to be a good understanding at the back - even though this is only the third time that they have played together.

K's, to the joy and surprise of their fans, took the lead in the tenth minute. From a corner Harris jumped well to power a header down towards the goal. This attempt was cleared off the line but the poacher Leworthy picked up the pieces and pushed the ball over the line.

K's appeared to go from strength to strength after this, Patterson, Francis and Eddie combining well on the left, and the defence looked solid, dealing with all Hereford could throw at them. Jerome was hardly troubled at all in the opening half. Pitcher was booked for, it seemed, not giving full marks for a superb dive from one of the Bull's midfielders.

The second goal came from arguably the best piece of football of the match. Eddie picked the ball up on the left and took it along the line. David Leworthy ran to the near post and took a couple of defenders with him which left space for Francis slightly to the right of the 'D'. The groans from the stand, which came as the ball went behind Leworthy, were replaced with cheers of joy when the perfectly placed pass went to Francis who powered home brilliantly, shooting first time as the ball was going across him.

If ever there was a proverbial game of two halves then this was it. The second 45 saw Hereford attack the goal where their vociferous fans were based, and looked as good as a team who are one of the favourites to win this league should be. K's were silenced quite noticably as Hereford continued to pressurise Jerome's goal and always looked like they were going to score. Jerome handled all that was hit at him well, only making one mistake, but brilliantly making a superb save from a point blank range header, which was compared to Gordon Banks' famous save against Pele. Eddie was the one who had to hold off the Hereford defence, to feed the midfield; and he went close with a shot from a tight angle. The best chance that Hereford had was when John Snapes was put through but he wildly hit his shot high, wide, and not at all handsomely, to the left of the sticks.

K's managed to hold on, and did have their chances. Holligan made an appearance and looked lively but didn't really do anything to write home about, and all the hooped of the crowd were delighted to hear the referee blow for full time just after 5 o'clock, and award K's their first points in the Conference.