Kingstonian 3-1 Carshalton Athletic
NO ATHLETICS TONIGHT

Carshalton came to Kingsmeadow with a bright start to their pre-season campaign and high hopes of gaining a return to the Premier division next season. Manager Graham Roberts - a former Spurs player like Steve Sedgley - included former K's hotshot Steve Darlington in his side.

Sedgley's starting line-up was somewhat stronger than expected, with the only notable absentees being Lance Key, Dave Clarke and David Sadler. In their places came Adrian Jones, Craig Lewington and Ronnie Green - each to have their own impact upon the game.

Greg Ball provided the first real action of the game as he charged into the area, only to be denied by the onrushing Paul Borg in the visitors' goal. The early signs of danger were there for the Carshalton defence, though they were unable to block Phil Wingfield's pinpoint ball to Ronnie Green who duly rounded Borg to open the scoring around the quarter hour mark.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Carshalton replied almost immediately as Berando Ouefio tested Adrian Jones, who saved well down to his right. Jones was in action again moments later, clawing out a close-range strike from Steve Darlington. The rebound fell nicely for full back Peter Wood, though almost appropriately his effort was denied by the woodwork. Darlington had a chance to finish the attack off, but drilled the ball just wide of the target from what was by now a crowded area.

The non-stop action continued as K's launched forward, winning a corner on the right. Phil Wingfield on his second effort was able to cross a teasing far post ball for Greg Ball to head in high into the net from an angle to double his side's lead (below) - only minutes after the first.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Green almost added another straight after as he ran through on goal, though Borg was able to save well. Craig Lewington, never far from the heat of the action, and former Chelsea youngster John Hamsher were involved in scuffle before Hamsher, clearly intimidated by the young midfielder, chose a less physical target and sent Ronnie Green to ground in a heap. Being a friendly there was no card, but Hamsher was asked to leave the pitch by the referee to cool down before being allowed to return.

With what was becoming an increasingly competitive game flowing again, James Pinnock, again acting as a central playmaker, fed the ball to Liam Collins on the right to strike fiercely on target only for Borg to stop well (below). Greg Ball did, however, manage to beat Borg in the following attack when put through by Pinnock to strike the ball past the dispairing 'keeper's dive for his second and K's third goal of the game. At the other end, Jonesn was called into action shortly before half time, saving again from Darlington.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The second half started well for Carshalton, as following a failed clearance in the K's penalty area Hamsher was able to knock the ball home for a simple goal. Up the other end of the field, an angled Phil Wingfield free kick eluded Borg and almost everyone else, though fortunately for the 'keeper there was a covering defender who cleared the ball away from goal.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Jones, enjoying a good pre-season, was called into action once more, turning a fierce strike away from goal. His subsequent kick was not so good, falling way short to the grateful feet of Darlington who ran in on his target only to be well pressured off his balance by substitute defender Darren White.

The action eventually died down, with the usual flow of pre-season substitutions taking some of the pace out of the game. Half-chances were exchanged at either end, though youngster Jones in the K's goal kept continued a solid performance with good work in the air, punching away from Darlington's head and stifling a dangerous corner late on.

Carshalton certainly didn't come for a meaningless friendly - they made a good match of it, and the young Kingstonian team responded well.