Thurrock 1-0 Kingstonian
TWO FAT LADIES SEE THURROCK THROUGH

Three weeks after deservedly losing by four goals to one at the Thurrock Hotel in a league game, Kingstonian returned for this Bryco League Cup match determined to show their true worth.

With injuries persisting, the line-up had a slightly altered look to it, with Chris Bangura and David Ocquaye paired together up front for the first time, with leading scorer Stafford Browne starting in the midfield, and with youngster Jermaine Hinds making his first appearance at centre-half.

It may therefore have been no surprise that it was Thurrock who started the brighter of the two teams. David Collis got an early grip on the midfield, and twice set up chances for Tresor Kandou in the opening ten minutes. Lance Key turned the first effort past his post and was relieved to see the second go wide after Kandou had run through unchallenged.

The first chance for the visitors came on the twenty-five minute mark when they broke quickly following a Thurrock corner. Liam Collins and Bashiru Alimi combined well to give Liam Garman the opportunity to cross from the left. A deflection saw the ball land at the far post where Ocquaye turned well but his shot was blocked.

As the half wore on it was Kingstonian who provided most of the attacking moments. Ocquaye saw another shot saved after beating Michael Basham, and Bangura shot wide after a slip from Jimmy McFarlane allowed him to get onto the end of a long clearance from Key.

With the regular Thurrock goalkeeper being rested, stand-in Billy McMahon looked determined to keep hold of the number one shirt, and he produced another good save from Ocquaye just before the break. The rebound fell to Stephen Broad, whose cross from the right somehow eluded everybody in the packed penalty area.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The second half began as the first had ended - with Kingstonian in the ascendancy. Josh Francois replaced the injured Bangura and was immediately involved in the best move of the match. A quick one-two with Liam Collins saw the young substitute play a measured pass into the path of Ocquaye. He beat McFarlane only to see his right-footed shot well saved by McMahon once more.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The visitors thought that they might have been awarded a penalty a moment later, but the referee decided that Browne's shot had struck McFarlane in the face as it was blocked six yards from goal.

Browne was having another storming game in the midfield, but showed that he still has a bit to learn where tackling is concerned when he felled Kandou just outside the K's area. Up strode David Collis who shot past the defensive wall and into Lance Key's bottom right-hand corner to give Thurrock the lead with twenty minutes remaining.

With that goal Kingstonian's confidence seemed to disappear. The only chances created in the remaining time fell to the home side, with Key pulling off one outstanding save as Lee Allen was played in twelve yards out and another from a Kandou volley.

This was a much better performance from Kim Harris' side, but their inability to convert chances once more cost them dear. The League Cup campaign may be over, but the priority has always been the Ryman League - and so it remains.