Banstead Athletic 0-1 Kingstonian
BROWNE RISES HIGHEST AT MERLAND

Just twenty-hours after the "emergency meeting" between club, players and Trust, a full complement of players walked out at Merland Rise to compete with Banstead Athletic for a place in the semi-final of this season's Surrey Senior Cup.

Of the three of those not present at Hendon on Saturday, Messrs Browne and Payne took their place amongst the starting eleven, with Scott Smith also included - albeit only on the bench.

The match started as though the home side's victory over AFC Wimbledon in the previous round had been something of a high-point, as K's set about stamping their authority on the game. A fine run from Stephen Broad saw him felled, only for Scott Steele to see his resulting free-kick deflected just wide.

Tony Webb in the Athletic goal was called upon just a minute later to clear an in-swinging corner from the same player out from under his own crossbar, but the keepers' next intervention was a much more positive one. A long kick out saw Stuart White played in by a flick-on from Lee Cormack, but the striker shot across goal from a good position.

Browne shot wide with his right foot and Max Hustwick went close. But at the wrong end. Another long kick from Webb fell to White and his cross struck the K's defender forcing Lance Key to produce a magnificent save low to his right.

The break-though came for K's though, and in very simple fashion. The latest in a string of corners was taken by Steele on the right-wing and Browne met it with force a couple of yards out to head home his second goal in the competition.

There were chances for both teams either side of the break, with Key saving well from Barry Langford, Payne volleying over and Steele and Bashiru Alimi seeing both of their shots blocked within a couple of seconds of each other.

There were loud shouts for a penalty for the home side on the hour mark, but the referee made the "shakey-shakey" sign with his head. Aaron Day played in White on the edge of the box, Max Hustwick challenged, the ball rolled towards Key, White fell and the goalkeeper picked the ball up. Play on.

The introduction of some pacey substitutes for Banstead unsettled K's, and the match was in some doubt for its remainder. The pitch - not that impressive at 7.30 - had by now deteriorated significantly to the point where defenders were looked worried whenever they were required to move quickly. And the K's backline definitely had to do that.

A quick free-kick from James Greenaway square to Michael Beale saw Key produce another fine save as the shot came in from the left-hand-side of the area. Even once the ninety minutes were up it wasn't plain sailing. A terrible back pass from Hustwick gave Banstead a late corner - which thankfully they wasted - and even then there was time for substitute Simon Mitchell to play in a dangerous cross which Key fell on gratefully before Helder Ribeird could connect.

And so a win. With so much doubt and uncertainty surrounding this match it was something of an achievement to negotiate a passage to the semi-finals. But how the same side would fare against a rampant Sutton side puts the furrows back on the brows.