Kingstonian 2-0 Basingstoke Town
Wins 2-0 Defeats

Coming off the back of a crucial win at Billericay, Kingstonian hosted a Basingstoke Town side seeking to confirm their place in the top-13 of the Ryman Premier League as the season comes to a conclusion.

Returning to the Kingstonian side were Scott Smith and Bashiru Alimi, whilst Basingstoke named all three former Molesey Argentines in a starting line-up boasting the highly sought-after Craig McAllister, but surprisingly not former K's man Neville Roach.

The first chance of the afternoon saw visiting full back Neville Stamp strike an effort from the edge of the box that fizzed past Lance Key's post.

A swift K's move saw a Scott Smith interception cleared to Scott Steele, whose header deftly laid the ball through to Stafford Browne. The striker was however unable to get enough purchase on his shot to threaten goal.

At the other end, Stephen Hughes managed to get a hold of a powerful strike on goal but, aimed at a nice height for the goalkeeper, Key was able to safely claim the ball.

The mid-section of the half saw an attacking vigour down the flanks similar to those displayed by Kim Harris' men in their last outing. Dave Timothy surged down the left and made his way into the box before laying off to Bashiru Alimi, but the shot sailed over.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Timothy himself had the next effort, this time curling wide, after having been found by a cross-field Liam Collins ball.

Christian Levis saw an effort tipped over by Key, whilst Craig McAllister's driving run produced a shot that was a comfortable stop for the in-form 'keeper.

The final piece of action of the half saw Grant Payne work himself into a position down the right flank before crossing dangerously across the face of goal, with 'Stoke captain Jason Bristow able to clear from the lurking Steele.

Levis disposed the otherwise very comfortable Max Hustwick to create the first opening after the break, but could only fire over under pressure from the recovering defenders.

Sergio Torres, meanwhile, had Lance Key scrambling with a flicked header that spun not far wide of the post.

The visitors were soon to be punished for their missed half-chances. A Mark Beard corner was connected with by Stafford Browne, whose shot struck a crowd of players on the line before Bashiru Alimi blasted in the rebound.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The lead was almost doubled when Browne's long throughball put strike partner Grant Payne in behind the Basingstoke defence. Having created the angle, Payne's effort was disappointingly wide and not fitting of his contribution to the game.

McAllister, starved of chances by Hustwick could only manage a wide effort on the half turn, whilst Nathan Stamp now took his chance from distance.

Neville Stamp's free kick into the box supplied Levis with a chance but again the largely untroubled Key was able to cleanly gather.

Visiting goalkeeper Mark Zawadski, in for the injured Scott Tarr, made a mess of things late on when called upon to clear a Neville Stamp backpass, kicking against substitute Martyn Williams. The flight of the ball was goalbound, but it landed short for Williams to tap in with his second touch to secure the win.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The confidence of the side was there to be seen following the massive win at Billericay last week. Basingstoke seemed strangely lacking of the urgency expected from a side right on the borders of an automatic Conference South side and were made to pay for it. A good performance by the whole side, but particular mention to the wide players who make a real impact on the attacking nature of the side.