Kingstonian 5-1 Chesham United
SILLS TOO GOOD FOUR CHESHAM

Having gone a lucky thirteen league games unbeaten in the league, K's found themselves coming into this game off the back of two straight defeats, close as the margins were.

Changes at the back saw Mark Jones slotting into left back and Julian Sills returning in the middle in place of not-yet fully fit yet Peter Barnsby. Scott Steele made his first start on the left, whilst James Pinnock started as an orthodox striker. The visitors, managed by former K's coach Colin Lippiatt, were without regular goalkeeper Delroy Preddie and so Peter Thorne deputised, whilst former Woking players Darren Hay and Julian Capone were tasked with posing an attacking threat. Top scorer Tresor Kandol could only make the bench.

The opening ten minutes saw openings come and go as the defensive units weighed in with their quota of blocks and challenges. A momentary lapse in the K's rearguard however saw Darren Hay offered the ball in space with a sight on goal. The frontman released a curling shot across goal, beyond Lance Key's dive and neatly into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Almost without delay, K's responded through Tim Sills. Liam Collins slotted him in on the right side of the box and Sills knocked his effort past oncoming 'keeper Thorne and goal-bound. Full back Tom Neill, sliding in to clear the ball, could only help it into the back of the net and so the scores were level.

Chesham's other full back, Dwayne Clarke, had his own moment when dispossessed in a dangerous position by a combination of Collins and James Pinnock. The beneficiary of this swift move was to be Sills, but the striker headed wide of the target. Pinnock had his own effort, via a deflection, sail just wide before the resulting corner seemed to strike Mark Leach on the arm. Nothing was given and K's continued to build up their attacks - Sills struck a shot just wide of the upright and Lewington sent a shot straight into Thorne's arms after a jinking run along the by-line by Scott Steele.

Steve Sinclair had a chance for the visitors, but failed to capitalise upon a defensive error as he sent his shot wide of the target. K's were suffering much the same fate up at the other end, with Scott Steele seeing a couple of effort finding the wrong side of Thorne's right hand post.

With the second half still taking shape, Pinnock took a Collins pass well in his stride and charged into the box, only to be chopped down by Neill. The full back, sensing a part in a second goal against, was furious and eventually left the box for Tim Sills to take K's first penalty of the season. Well struck down to Thorne's left, the spot-give gave K's the lead, and more was to come.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Barely a couple of minutes had passed before the next Kingstonian attack came, with Steele setting up Mark Jones on the left to cross for Sills to head back across goal and in for his hat-trick. The subsequent attack almost further increased the margin, but substitute Tresor Kandol was able to sweep the ball away from under his crossbar following a teasing Collins cross.

The action moved into the K's half for a spell of Chesham attacking play, and Lance Key did well to hold on to an awkward bouncing ball. The 'keeper was somewhat fortunate when exposed, he almost felled Kandol, but his opponent kept his feet and stumbled on. The ball was sent dangerously into the goalmouth and some desperate defending was sufficient to finally repel the danger.

With the gaps in the Chesham team widening, K's returned to attacking duty. Phil Wingfield came off the bench and almost nicked a goal after stealing the ball form substitute Nathan Bowden-Hoase but the ball ran away from him and into the grateful clutches of Thorne.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Into the final ten minutes, and a fine Collins cross was met by Wingfield in the middle, whose header struck Thorne's right hand post before settled in the back of the net to give the veteran yet another rare headed goal.

There was enough time for Tim Sills to notch his fourth of the game - a feat not managed since Jimmy Bolton's four against St Albans in Spring '96. Craig Lewington was unable to make full contact with a cross from Pinnock and so the ball rolled up the middle of the box towards the penalty spot. Well rehearsed with his run-up, Sills charged through the defender on the ground and emerged by the 'keeper's left hand post was the ball in tow. With only Lewington to beat, Sills tapped in from an angle and duly continued his celebratory acquaintance with the matchball.