Kingstonian 1-1 Northwich Victoria
LIFE'S A PITCH, AND THEN YOU TIE

For the first time in over a month, it was back to Conference action at Kingsmeadow, and the lay-off certainly showed. Whether the players were thinking of next week and FA Cup glory or not, I don't know, but whatever the reason, there was an air of "we've got bigger fish to fry" around the ground, and with another depressingly low attendance (901) this was certainly a game to have missed.

With Simon Stewart still suffering from the thigh injury that he picked up last week, it was a flat back four which started the game for K's, with Scott Corbett adding to the numbers in midfield. Kevin Rattray was again absent and replaced by Alex Willglass. But there were no real excuses for this disappointing performance.

K's did start quite brightly however - a good run and shot from (definitely) West Ham-bound Gavin Holligan ended with a save from Greygoose, and the corner was then headed just over by Mark Harris. But it was Northwich who went closest early on. A Vicary cross from the left hand side just escaped from Man of the Match Neil Illman, who then went close immediately afterwards when his header was saved by Steve Farrelly.

Gary Patterson, who was sent off during the September meeting between these two sides, was on the receiving end of some harsh treatment when Stuart Terry kicked him in the head. Referee Mr.M.Ebbage, who had a good game, produced a yellow card for this indiscretion, but Patto was certainly quieter than usual.

Shots by Scott Corbett and Geoff Pitcher, after great work from Holligan, went close, but again it was Northwich who were producing the better chances. James Bates had a shot well saved by Farrelly low to his right, and then a Terry shot was deflected to Illman, just a few yards out, who managed only to hit the bar. With the K's players looking to then clear the ball, they were relieved to see the linesman standing with his flag aloft. Illman again went close for Victoria a few moments later. A ball was played through the K's defence for the front man to run on to, and with a clear sight of goal, he somehow managed to shoot straight down Farrelly's throat with the again relieved K's defence trailing in late.

The best K's player on show was once again Geoff Pitcher. After a few under-par performances early in the season, he has now started to show exactly why he is so well thought of by Geoff Chapple. He is the key man in the team when a link is needed between defence and attack. He is capable of picking up the ball and running at people and of playing inch perfect passes - both with either foot. On this occasion, it was his running skills which were on show. He set off on a run which ended with a left foot shot being well saved, but just 5 minutes later, another run allowed him to get in a shot with his better foot. The ball struck the ground just before reaching Greygoose's prostrate position, and it somehow squirmed from his grasp to give K's the lead. Pitcher's celebration was certainly elaborate - perhaps he thought he was in a dress rehearsal for next week's cameras.

But the lead didn't last long (and how many times have we said that ?!), as a pass from Vicary reached Illman. After a couple of touches he chipped Farrelly, who didn't seem to be far out of his goal, and the ball nestled in the bottom of the net. The Vic's striker was involved in everything that they produced, and was a constant thorn in the home defence's side. Maybe Stewart's absence upset the balance, but whatever the reason, the defence never looked as secure as it has done recently.

When the second half started, it looked as though Kingstonian would be able to see off their opponents. Colin Luckett went close with his right foot, a Holligan cross was just out of Eddie's reach and a Corbett cross had to be tipped over by Greygoose. But Illman was still busy up front and a slip by Mark Harris allowed him another chance to take on Farrelly one-on-one. The goalkeeper never flinched whilst looking down the barrel of the gun, and was able to out-wit the striker and save easily.

Although the result was one-one, many chances were spurned by both sides. Pitcher again went close with his right foot and Corbett tried to head home a Tarkan Mustafa cross, but succeeded only in giving Wes Simpson a headache before his Saturday night had even started. Whether Corbett was suffering from the effects of heading the back of somebody else's head or not, he was replaced soon after with Dean Thomas coming on for his debut. If and when Thomas takes the field in K's away shirt, it will not be difficult to spot the similarities between him and Brazil's Ronaldo. Let's just hope their feet are as similar as their faces.

In fact, Thomas almost made a dream start, as a Patterson cross was headed on by Pitcher, with the new boy missing the ball by just an inch or two. Then down the other end, Illman had a shot deflected wide and Vicary thought he had a late chance to win the match when he was played through for another one-on-one with Farrelly. But there was no need for another showdown as the linesman's flag spoiled the fun.

When the whistle sounded, you could almost feel the relief of everybody that they'd got through the match without picking up a TV career-threatening injury, and without performing badly enough to be left out next week. Northwich performed well, but should probably feel lucky that they came to Kingsmeadow at such an exciting time for the club. The chance was there for K's to complete their first "double" of the season, but nobody can have been that surprised that this didn't materialise. Whether Orient are beaten or not, it will be good to be able to concentrate on the next league game against Yeovil without having to think of Richard Keys and the like.

Of course, it'd be even better to be able to take on Yeovil wondering when your ticket for Old Trafford will fall through the letter box.