Kingstonian 0-1 Windsor & Eton
A ROYAL KINGSTON DEFEAT

The reign of Kingstonian player/manager Scott Steele failed to extend to the return fixture of his first opponents in the Ryman Premier League, as Windsor & Eton visited Kingsmeadow with the threat of relegation looming large.

Jon Coke came in to the starting lineup for his first outing since the New Year, whilst new striker Tony Reid added K's to his considerable list of clubs at the expense of James Rose. Richard Taylor, meanwhile, dropped down to the bench.

Windsor lined up with flamboyant Moroccan goalkeeper Chuck Martini in goal, whilst the Holsgrove brothers, formerly with Hayes, also started for the visitors - all three of them.

Unlike many recent games, it was not Kingstonian who had the better start. Visitors Windsor were quick into their stride, but were aided by some uncertain K's defending, which in part stemmed from the sorry state of the playing surface.

Andy Iga was called into action early on to save from David Warner before Michael Barima saw his follow-up deflected over by Rob Paris.

A long ball down the middle in the ninth minute, missed by Paris, allowed Peter Holsgrove a clean run on goal and the striker made no mistake with his finish as he buried his shot firmly past Iga.

With chances few and far between, K's saw their best effort of the half created by a weaving Bashiru Alimi run down the left channel. Full back Ryan Parsons did well to get to Alimi's dangerous cross before Tony Reid to deny the debutant what would have been a simple conversion.

Peter Holsgrove saw another effort go wide of the target and almost bustled his way through on to goal again, only to be denied by a fine Ian Dickens tackle on the edge of the box.

The sides were separated by just the single goal going into the break, but only after Iga had denied Warner and Lee Holsgrove on the stroke of half time.

Iga was once again called into action at the start of the second half, saving well at the feet of Peter Holsgrove.

Yet just as the slow start was unusual, so was the second half performance, as K's seemed to grow increasingly into the game as it wore on.

Bashiru Alimi's left-sided cross was laid on to Phil Ruggles for a stab at goal on the hour mark, though Martini was able to avert the danger low at his near post as the hour mark approached.

With much of their best play coming down the left with Alimi and Martyn Lee, it was again good work from Alimi down the wing that created the danger. However, just as in the first half, Ryan Parsons was able to get to his whipped cross first, this time denying Dale Marvel from almost right underneath the bar.

Rob Paris kept the pressure on as he headed back to Lee, who saw his shot strike the angle of the goal and come back out. Phil Ruggles was unable to keep his extended header on target and Windsor survived the pressure.

Peter Holsgrove continued to prove a handful at the other end, this time acting as provider to David Warner, who saw his shot well blocked by Iga coming off his line.

As the game drew to a close, Martyn Lee saw his free kick flash past the target before a neat final effort from the edge of the box flew just wide of the target.

Kingstonian's reign in the Ryman Premier came to an end less than a year after a single goal defeat at Lewes denied them a promotion place to the new Conference South. Off-field problems typified by ground-selling owners over the past few seasons have compounded matters, and K's will now find themselves in the unfamiliar surrounds of Ryman One (or equivalent) next season. And from there they must grow again.