Kingstonian 0-0 Aldershot Town
SHOTS KEEPS THEIR KUHL

With two games in two games proving too much for both of the full-time sides, it was no surprise that both Kingstonian and Aldershot Town lined up with totally different starting elevens for Sunday's final from those which secured their places in the Norbiton World Cup Final.

For K's, there was a chance for Adrian Jones to show how he has improved since his "difficult" day at Croydon last season, for Billy Mead to show how he can play back in his more accustomed midfield role and for Greg Ball and Ronnie Green to stake their claim for the starting places up-front.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Aldershot included ex-Sutton goalkeeper Gareth Howells, his brother David - a member of the same FA Cup Final winning team as Steve Sedgley - and even their youth team manager Martin Kuhl at centre-half. As well as eight others of course.

The Shots started the brighter of the two sides, and it was the K's goalkeeper who was called into action first of all. David Howells took a free-kick quickly from just outside the box, and Jones did well to make up the ground to turn the ball past his left-hand post. A few minutes later and he was at it again. Francis Kumar crossed from the right, the unmarked (isn't this becoming something of a regular thing?) Adam Parker headed goalwards only for Jones to save well once more. This time he needed the assistance of Max Hustwick to keep the ball out though, but together they managed it.

The best chance of the half fell to Kingstonian though. A right-wing corner from Liam Garman was met by Sean Thurgood, whose shot from six yards out struck Kuhl - possibly on the hand. The ball dropped to Ronnie Green, also six yards out, whose shot from six yards out struck Marc Kleboe - definitely on the hand. The protests were waved away by referee Mr Darren Spicer though.

Billy Mead tried an overhead kick from a Garman cross, Justin Cochrane went close at the other end and Max Hustwick got his toe to the ball just before Kumar could turn a Mark Nichols cross over the line but the break was reached with no score.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The second half was punctuated with several changes for both sides, as the four-team tournament progressed inexorably towards its by-now obvious conclusion of a penalty shoot-out. There were a few chances for either side - with both Greg Ball and Ronnie Green showing the eagerness they will need to oust either of Dave Sadler or Tim Sills.

David Howells was unfortunately injured following a poor tackle from one of the K's midfield, and he was subsequently stretchered off to await the arrival of the London Ambulance Service. The game was well and truly over by the time they arrived...

K's substitute Leon Warley had the best chance of the half for K's, when a good run from Ball was ended with a fine ball across goal. Warley challenged Brett Cooper for the ball, but the Shots' defender won the race, toe-poking it away for a corner. At the other end Adam Parker created the best chance for his side on his own. A fine run ended with a shimmy around Pete Tisdale and a shot which just cleared Jones' bar.

And so a penalty shoot-out was needed. After Gareth Howells had relieved himself of course. The first seven spot kicks were dispatched with no fuss from anybody, Greg Ball sent his effort some twenty yards wide (below, bottom) allowing Martin Kuhl to step up to claim the win. This he did by chipping the already prone Adrian Jones and Aldershot had won the K's Cup. They looked fairly pleased about it too - but then K's should be pleased with their efforts too.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Photo: kingstonian.net

The very fact that there are enough players at the club to field two completely different sides is admirable enough, but to beat a Football League team and then draw with one of the fancied sides in the Ryman Premier is cause for much appreciative nodding.

For the record, the scorers from the penalty spot for K's were Sean Thurgood, Pete Tisdale (above, top) and Billy Mead. Aldershot's were Mark Nichols, Adam Parker, Byron Bubb, Mark Watson and Martin Kuhl.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Photo: kingstonian.net