Kingstonian 1-5 Rushden & Diamonds
RUSHDEN WILL WIN THE LEAGUE

Kingstonian suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Champions-Elect (already) Rushden and Diamonds, including the ex-K's player Paul Underwood, and Leeds old-boy Chris Whyte. The largest gate of the day was again at Kingsmeadow, meaning that the kick-off was again delayed to allow the fans through the four turnstiles.

The K's started brightly, with Eddie looking impressive on both wings - however it was the full-timers who first went close. A mis-directed cross from the right looped over Scott Barrett, struck the inside of the post, and trickled along the goal-line before Matt Crossley hooked clear. Moments later Rushden took the lead. Another cross from the right was cleverly flicked on by Adrian Foster to open his night's account.

However, K's came straight back, with David Leworthy scoring a superb goal against his old club. Gary Patterson's shot was blocked, and fell to him with his back to goal. A quick turn and shot sent the ball into the top corner of the Rushden net. Leworthy again went close just after, when a one-two with Eddie ended with a header which was well saved.

The K's were looking fairly secure at this point. The defence was showing a great understanding, with Scott Barrett pulling off some good stops, including one superb save just before the break to turn a Rushden shot wide. Geoff Pitcher was working exceptionally hard in the middle of the park, chasing and closing continuously, along with Gary Patterson.

But in the second half, the class of the professionals shone through. Rushden took the lead on the hour when a cross from the left was hooked in. The game threatened to boil over just after this, when twice, within minutes of each other, most of the players got involved in a pushing match. Dean Hooper, watching from the stands, must have wished that he'd never left. The referee, Mr. K. Reyrolds, from Wellsteede, who some K's fans may remember from last year's FA Cup defeat at Slough, antagonised the crowd further by awarding a free-kick to Rushden just outside the K's box. While Barrett was still arranging his defensive wall, Tim Wooding took the kick and put it into the top-right hand corner, giving Rushden a two-goal advantage, with the goalkeeper looking on from the other side of the goal.

It was in the last twenty minutes that the difference between a full-time squad of 29 players, and K's comparitively small squad of part-timers was eminent. Foster completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining when a cross from the right reached him right in front of the K's goal. He had more time than it takes K's to announce their new sponsors, and he picked his spot before placing the ball past the hapless Barrett. Rushden thought that they'd scored their fifth just afterwards, only for a linesmans flag to postpone their celebrations. But they didn't have to wait for long, as they completed K's disappointing night with their fifth just before full-time. Overall, K's shouldn't feel too dis-heartened by this defeat. For the majority of the game they matched Rushden in most departments, and looked the most likely to lead before half-time. Although the visitors were the better team, a five-one result perhaps unfair to the K's.