Sittingbourne 1-1 Kingstonian
BOURNE OUT OF FRUSTRATION

The statistics are starting to make grim reading for Kingstonian. They have scored in their last eighteen games, but only won six of them. Perhaps more worryingly, they have failed to win any of their last seven games, despite taking a lead in six of them. In a game of few chances at Bourne Park it was somewhat surprising when Dean Lodge gave K's the lead five minutes after the break, but few were shocked when the home side later equalised.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Photo: kingstonian.net

K's were some way from full-strength with Lee, Ahmad, Corbett, Symes and Taylor all unavailable for a variety of reasons. The returning Craig Lewington combined with Tommy Moorhouse to make up a physical midfield duo but K's starting line-up did not have much air of creativity about it.

On a heavy pitch, the first half was a dull affair. More of the game took place in the visitors' half, but Julian Sills was back to his best in keeping 'Bourne at bay. The popular centre-back, who has spent much time on the bench of late, was leading a rather makeshift back four in defending as well as K's have for a long time. Steve Potterill was also on top form, snuffing out attacks down the left and getting forward with impressive regularity.

K's were less impressive in attack though and failed to break through the home lines. A few shots went well wide and when the best K's chance of the half fell to Dean Lodge, the midfielder was unlucky to slip. The lively Adolph Amoako picked up the pieces, but could not quite get his shot on target.

By this point K's were lucky to still be ahead - Luke Garrard made a fine save to deny Mitchell Sherwood from close range after a dangerous cross. It was unsurprising when the sides went in level after a turgid first period, but five minutes after the break a superb counter-attack saw K's take the lead.

It was Amoako who broke with the ball and a perfect slide-rule pass set Lodge through on goal. Lodge took the ball past goalkeeper Steve Williams and then squeezed it inside the near post from a tight angle.

The goal was against the run of play and most of the rest of the game took place in the Kingstonian half. The home side were still struggling to break K's down though, as they looked committed and organised in defence and Moorhouse and Lewington were solid in the middle.

Corners were well cleared and shots, mostly from distance, failed to trouble Garrard but eventually the Kent team's territory and possession resulted in an equaliser. Paul Ainsworth was not closed down outside the box, and his low twenty-five yarder snuck inside Garrard's near post. K's can only be frustrated that for the second time in as many games, they have conceded a goal from well outside the penalty box.

A draw was a fair result but both sides made a grab for all three points in injury time. First, Amoako beat Williams to a Glenn Boosey corner and headed narrowly over and then Lee Browning cut inside from the left with a fine run and produced a god save from Garrard.

K's form is now reaching desperate levels though and a win just does not even look like coming. Many players were short of fitness and seemed to be struggling at the end and chances on the opposition goal were again few and far between. Next up will be Met Police as K's seek to find winning form again.