Kingstonian 3-0 Bedford Town
EAGLES BASHED

After Saturdays FA Cup debacle in deepest Hampshire, Bedford made the trip south to Kingsmeadow as one of just six sides below Kingstonian at the start of play for this Ryman Premier League encounter. The will he, won't he, should he, shouldn't he debate had raged since the final whistle on Saturday but Bill Williams took his seat alongside Steve Sedgley and as if to reiterate the point of his continued presence Phil Wingfield was included in the side as left back, Colin Luckett apparently dropped from the side.

K's started the game brightly despite an early scare forcing Lance Key into an early save and should have gone ahead but for a good save by the travelling keeper from Bolt's drive. Bolt was again involved soon after, playing a 35 yard one two with Dave Clarke on the right wing before firing over.

Bedford almost stole the lead slightly against the run of play when on a swift counter attack the ball was worked through to an unmarked Eddie Lawley on the back post but he saw his shot beaten away by the again impressive Key. The resulting corner bounced off the cross bar to the safety of a goal kick.

The scent of goal seemed to awaken the visitors and Lawley, this time turned provider, fed Mark Paul but the pace of the ball just carried it through to Key and the danger was again averted.

Photo: kingstonian.net

On the half hour, just as it seemed the visitors were beginning to make a mark on the game, Greg Ball won a corner on the right flank. Danny Bolt floated a perfect cross into the box and Simon Stewart powered home his second goal of the season to the relief of the home faithful.

Ball was involved again soon after, this time on the left wing, his drilled cross nipped off Sadler's toes and cleared to safety. Before the half was up Stewart earned himself a booking with a reckless two footed challenge in the centre circle and Ball almost capitalised on a communication breakdown between Tucker and Heeps but was denied the chance to double the advantage by a last ditch clearance.

The second half kicked off with K's looking for a second goal, Ball and Sadler exchanging speculative efforts and Bolt deciding to go it alone when the front two seemed to be better placed.

Twenty minutes into the second half and a good touch from Ball on the edge of the box released Sadler down the right. His cross was met by the head of Wingfield whose goal bound header was handled by Covington. The referee deemed a penalty and a yellow card punishment enough for a clear red card offence, and after the commotion had died down Bolt delivered the spot kick low into the bottom corner of the net with the same efficiency with which he conducts his daily business.

K's went further ahead with their next attacking move. The ball reached Bashiru Alimi on the edge of the box and using one touch to simultaneously beat one defender and tee the ball up on his favoured left foot he struck a sweet shot in off the post for his first senior goal for the club.

Key was forced into action to save from Nuttell before a suspiciously offside looking Ball burst through, but with Sadler screaming for a square pass and a certain fourth the youngster went it alone but was denied by the keeper (see below).

Bolt saw a good effort deflected for a corner via the crossbar and the keepers hand, before making way for Steve Brown. Interesting that at two down at Hendon just seven days earlier Williams swapped like for like by taking off Sadler for Green, and now three goals to the good at home and we have a third striker entering the fray.

Bedford had a penalty claim turned down before Ball again found himself in a one on one, this time after a poor clearance from the keeper. Sadler again waited for a tap in goal but again Ball went alone rounding the keeper but Covington got back to clear off the line. Immaturity from the young striker for not setting up his partner for a certain goal, or strikers prerogative when presented with a goal scoring opportunity? I'll let you decide!

By full time K's had earned the three points but more important tonight was the performance which was greatly improved. But a Jeckyll and Hyde side will never challenge for Championships, and unless the consistency problem is addressed K's season will continue to drift.

The saying around Kingsmeadow used to be that if the season lasted until Christmas before being over it had been a good one. Even by those poor standards this season has been a bad one, but the pressure on the management team will be slightly eased this evening.