Kingstonian 3-1 Metropolitan Police
MET MEET THEIR MATCH

The atmosphere inside Kingsmeadow for this evening's game against the Metropolitan Police belied Kingstonian's poor recent form. The majority of the two hundred and fifty seven fans who turned up were in an expectant mood, and they were not left disappointed by either the result or the performance.

With Kingstonian attacking the Athletics ground in the first half, the team began very brightly. Inside the first minute Bobby Traynor chased down a hopeful ball into the box, and nearly opened the scoring with a slight touch past the stranded Packham, only for the ball to roll narrowly past the post.

However in the third minute recent signing Saheed Sankoh picked up possession a full thirty yards from goal. He turned on the ball and launched a powerful drive to the left of the goalkeeper. Packham dived well but was only able to get the slightest of touches, and had to watch as the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced across the line.

The Met Police looked stunned by this goal, and had not recovered when Wes Goggin found himself free inside the box. He looked up and played the ball back out to Sankoh, who struck the ball sweetly into the bottom left hand on the goal.

Despite finding themselves two goals to the good, or perhaps because of it, Kingstonian began to look stunned. And so it was as just two minutes later the Met Police won a corner, which was swung into the centre of the box. This time, Huckle found himself unmarked, and launched a powerful header into the back of the net.

The groans of regular K's fans were audible all around Kingsmeadow. Having played so well in the first seven minutes, Kingstonian began to find themselves pegged back. A Met police cross from the left wing flashed across the face of Garrard's goal, and with neither Goalkeeper nor defenders claiming it, two Met Police bodies flung themselves goalwards, both players narrowly failing to make a connection.

The first half continued in much the same vein, with neither side able to dominate in the centre of the park. However, unlike some matches, this led to a very open, entertaining half. Chances came thick and fast for both sides. Both Goggin and Sankoh had further chances for the K's, while at the other end Finn had a good opportunity to level the game, volleying just wide after again finding space inside the penalty box.

Kingstonian suffered a blow after half an hour, when the lively Sankoh was felled by a rash challenge inside the centre circle. Despite attempting to carry on, it was soon clear from his hobbling that he was not fit to continue, forcing Dowson into a change. Boosey was brought on, and Drewett pushed into playing a more attacking role to compensate for the loss of Sankoh.

Shortly before half-time Garrard was forced into making a brave stop at the feet of a striker, and so Kingstonian took the slender advantage into half-time.

The Met Police came out for the second half in a much brighter mood than they had entered the changing rooms. Their renewed energy and purpose saw them win more of the ball, and begin to hold possession for longer periods.

However, despite their possession, they were unable to find a way past Kingstonian's rearguard action. As the minutes ticked on, Kingstonian, buoyed by their defence, began to exert pressure of their own. Traynor found himself on the edge of the box, drilling a low shot towards the bottom left hand side of the goal, his shot skipping over the outstretched palm of Packham.

Moments later, Traynor nearly turned provider, skipping one challenge before releasing Boosey into the box, only to see his effort scream past the post. However, Kingstonian began to live a little dangerously. After Garrard fumbled a cross, Coke had to rush across the box to clear the danger. And shortly afterwards, Huckle had the opportunity to get the Met Police back into the game, but he handled twice before he could release a shot.

The Met Police's best chance of the half followed shortly after. A deep cross to the far post found Abbey unmarked, and his low header looked to be in all the way until Garrard pulled off the save of the game, getting down very low and scooping his hand around the ball, pushing it out, and away from the lurking presence of Abbey.

With both sides having played at such a high tempo for long periods of the game, energy levels began to drop towards the latter stages of the second half. However, it was Kingstonian who were happier with this evening's result, registering their first win since December 7th. There were many positives in the game for Dowson and his charges, although the manager will clearly be concerned with the injury the Saheed Sankoh. Let us wish him a speedy recovery, and hope the new goal scoring hero will be back to renew his exciting partnership with Bobby Traynor at the earliest opportunity.