Leatherhead 1-1 Kingstonian
K'S THROUGH DESPITE SPOT OF BOTHER

Once again, an "almost" first team "almost" managed to let slip a game that really and truthfully shouldn't have caused K's the slightest bother. To say that this wasn't the best preparation for next week's Trophy tie with Yeovil - what with the dodgy pitch and extra-time - is an understatement. But then maybe the players were thinking the same as some of those in the crowd - the sooner we go out, the less games we'll need to play.

Whatever the reasons, this proved to be one of the least exciting close cup ties in living memory. The last two minutes of extra time raised the adrenaline levels, as did the penalty shoot-out, but other than that it was a pretty ordinary Surrey Senior Cup tie.

Leatherhead actually took the lead, when their number 9 managed to skip through the challenge of all three K's central defenders and place the ball low to Farrelly's right. The fact that the ball squirmed through the net didn't bother the referee, who rightly gave the goal.

Robin Taylor had gone closest for K's before that, when a superb chip was ever so slightly touched onto the bar by the Tanners' goalkeeper, with Joe O'Connor unable to put the rebound in, with Geoff Pitcher also managing to hit the goalkeeper with a header when it seemed easier to score. Still, no real worries, as Matt Crossley restored parity before the break when he hooked home after a Phil Wingfield free-kick from the right.

The second half was played mostly in the attacking third for K's, but as has been seen so often recently, there just wasn't a finishing touch to be had. Leworthy came on to play up alongside O'Connor, but still there was no luck. O'Connor and Robin Taylor went close, as did the number 11 at the other end, before Crossley almost repeated his first half trick with another header from a Wingfield cross. This time the ball struck a defender and cannoned back from the bar.

With just five minutes left Leatherhead almost had a golden opportunity to score, when Farrelly kicked out against the number 8. Somehow the rebound managed to bounce back up into the goalkeeper's arms, as though he'd planned it. We all know he was scared though.

And so extra-time. The only incident of note in the first fifteen minutes was when Eddie Akuamoah was clearly pulled back in the area, the referee disagreed and waved play on. Eddie was most upset and managed to get himself surrounded by three rather large Leatherhead players as he continued his protestations. Where's Patto when you need him? In the bar apparently.

Leworthy hit the post again in the second period, and then the number 6 had a chance to win it for Leatherhead. He blasted over and so the "agony" of penalties.

The home side went first and scored, Leworthy did likewise before both sides missed - Eddie Akuamoah being the K's culprit. Leatherhead missed number four and Farrelly saved number five, and with K's scoring all of theirs a semi-final place was won.

For the record the K's scorers were Leworthy, Crossley and Luckett. Pitcher would have taken number five, but was let off the hook by Farrelly's heroics. Still, with another trophy now just two games away we really shouldn't complain. Leatherhead tried hard, but even on an awful pitch, K's class (just about) shone through.