Kingstonian 1-2 Horsham YMCA
IT'S NOT FUN TO PLAY THE YMCA
Kingstonian have started the season weaker than last season's finish might have led fans to expect. With just three points from three games, Bank Holiday Monday at home to Horsham YMCA seemed the opportunity to pick up some much needed points, confidence and motivation. But it was not to be as the K's instead picked up their third defeat from four matches and, more alarmingly, their third red card.
Stuart McIntyre's side saw the return of Martyn Lee in midfield, with Tony Reid picked to start up front in favour of Danny Morris, who was dropped to the bench.
Kinsgtonian started the match bright and confident, and crafted a few chances in the opening exchanges. In the opening minute, a nice link up in play between Lee and Reid allowed in Rose for an effort on goal, but his header was taken comfortably by the Horsham keeper.
Things continued to look promising when a Richard Taylor long throw bounced through to Tony Reid, whose effort hit the post. But moments later disaster struck, when Scott Smith mis-weighted a backpass. Garrard was unable to deal with the situation, and Horsham stirker Steve Davies seized the initiative to round the keeper and slot home to provide the visitors with the lead.
K's didn't let their heads drop though, and it only took ten minutes before the equaliser came. It was another Taylor long throw that produced the goods. James Rose got up well at the near post and headed against the inside of the goal frame. The rebound fell to the feet of Scott Corbett, but he couldn't react in time and scuffed the ball across the face of goal, luckily into the path of Reid, who side footed home to put the home side level.
Photo: Rob Blevin
After the scores had been levelled, it is fair to say that Horsham had the better of the remainder of the first half. A few strong chances were carved out and it took a brace of excellent saves from Garrard and a goal line clearance to keep the scores level at the break.
K's started the second half brightly and another excellent chance came early on. Lee delivered a corner straight to the head of Corbett, but his effort was angled too low an managed to bounce in front of goal all the way over the bar. Midway through the second half Lee came close to making a pivotal impact on the game when he came close with a long range free kick.
Moments later Lee did produce the defining moment of the match, but for all the wrong reasons. Going into a challenge somewhat over zealously, Lee stepped over the ball and his studs made contact with the Horsham player's leg. The referee brandished a straight red card.
Photo: Rob Blevin
After dropping down to ten men, K's were always on the back foot, but just as at Dartford, it was a momentary lapse from the principle of man marking which led to their demise. When ten minutes from time Horsham picked up a corner, the K's defence didn't cover the area properly, and substitute James Bird was left a ridiculous amount of space at the far post. So much, in fact, that when the ball found him he was able to volley into the back of the net without any challenge at all.
Kingstonian had a couple more chances but their willingness to win appeared to have been sapped. The best chance came right at the end of time when substitute Tommy Moorhouse headed a corner back in to Reid, but once again he couldn't find the target.
Photo: Bob Tuthill
It is difficult to know which the Kingstonian fans, players and manager will find most frustrating from this match: the continuing discipline problems (K's were arguably lucky to finish with ten men on the pitch), the silly errors tainting an otherwise solid defence, or the lack of end product up front. Kingstonian are close to being a very competitive side, but these problems are making that impossible. And they will continue to do so if things don't change soon.
Photo: Rob Blevin
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Mon 28th Aug 2006 |
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Kingsmeadow Stadium |
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279 |
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Isthmian League Division One South |
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Kingstonian | 1 |
Reid |
Horsham YMCA | 2 |
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1 | Luke Garrard | | |
2 | Scott Smith | | |
3 | Paul Wetherall | | |
4 | Jon Coke | | 12 |
5 | Julian Sills | | |
6 | Richard Taylor | | |
7 | Scott Corbett | | 16 |
8 | Dean Lodge | | |
9 | Tony Reid | | |
10 | James Rose | | |
11 | Martyn Lee | | |
12 | Tommy Moorhouse | | 4 |
14 | Daniel Morris | | |
15 | Aliy Kyezu | | |
16 | Steve Potterill | | 7 |
17 | Stephen Windegaard | | |
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Kevin O'Connor |
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