Kingstonian 0-1 Northwood
LOST IN THE WOODS

The Easter reverse of the derby fixtures saw Northwood once again paired with Kingstonian in a game of significance determined only by the position and proximity of the sides as opposed to any particular local interest.

K's were boosted as an offensive force by the return of Liam Collins and Scott Steele, whilst Stafford Browne and David Ocquaye were paired together up front. Northwood's resurgent side, meanwhile, boasted the influential Christian Metcalfe and Mark Nicholls.

Northwood goalkeeper Rob Bullivant was tested early on with a low David Ocquaye cross but was able to collect well.

With twenty minutes gone, K's skipper Mark Beard charged through into the box before being denied by Bullivant's block. The 'keeper cleared with a throw to Alistair Heseltan, who embarked upon a mazy run which he was unable to finish with an end product.

Kieran Knight tested Lance Key from distance, but the K's custodian was otherwise untroubled throughout the half.

Liam Collins tried a long-range strike of his own at the other end, which having deflected up into the air, was taken as an overhead kick by Mark Beard. The effort was however comfortably taken by Bullivant.

The second half started with more vigour as first Scott Steele threatened with a strike that looped just wide before Mark Beard struck over from close.

The action transferred to the other end and Key was called upon to keep the visitors at bay. Dean Clark's had an effort across goal saved by the goalkeeper before Danny Yeoman drove an effort at goal that was only prevented from finding the back of the net by the excellence of Key as it deflected up onto the bar and to safety.

Stafford Browne was proving to be a menace and Dave Nolan was called upon to deny the striker as he threatened to break through following a cross-field Liam Collins ball.

Browne turned provider when flicking on to an advanced Matt Elverson on the edge of the six-yard box. Bullivant denied the K's centre back with an important block before Elverson had a chance to tuck the rebound past the goalkeeper, squeezing the ball past Bullivant at the near post only for the ball to strike the woodwork before flying agonisingly across goal.

Opposite number Rene Street then saw his header strike the angle of the goal from a long Northwood corner.

With the game building up to a crucial climax, substitute Vidal Graham sprinted down the right wing before dispatching a dangerous cross that required the intervention of Northwood replacement Scott Williams.

Williams found himself denied at the other end by Anthony Savage's clearance off the line following a corner.

The deciding moment came with just a couple of minutes remaining when Kieran Knight cross deep from the right to Danny Yeoman whose half-volley rifled past into the corner of the net.

The visitors did well to see out the final minutes following the goal, though Browne threatened with a deflected strike in the dying seconds, but to no avail.

A disappointing result for Kingstonian in a game where the result could have gone either way - or indeed remained level - leaving things wide open just above the traditional relegation zone which K's will now have to battle particularly hard to remain above.