Tooting & Mitcham 1-1 Kingstonian
NO FEAR FOR THE TERRORS

Kingstonian visited a Tooting & Mitcham side managed by former K's boss Billy Smith, knowing that they would have a tough game on their hands, despite the Terrors' current lowly position.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Stuart McIntyre fielded three changes from the side which battled with AFC Sudbury midweek, bringing in Tommy Moorhouse, Steve Symes and Dean Lodge to replace Julian Sills, Glenn Boosey and Mazin Ahmad.

Carl Gibbs, recently signed from Sutton United, started up front for Tooting, partnered by former K's frontman Paul Vines. Ronnie Green, recovering from injury, meanwhile, was named on the bench, whilst former Carshalton and AFC Wimbledon man Matt York captained the side.

The hosts took charge of the early possession, with both defences proving solid in the opening exchanges. All changed just after the quarter hour mark though when confusion reigned for the Terrors as a long ball down the middle caught the defenders failing to hold a proper line as the boys in Brazilian yellow charged through. As Dave King came rushing out of his goal, Tony Reid rounded the former Hendon goalkeeper to slot the ball home just inside the post to open the scoring.

A few minutes later Dean Lodge charged down the right wing and drilled an inviting ball across the edge of the six yard box, which agonisingly just evaded the lunging Reid. Daniel Morris retrieved the ball at the far post but saw his shot blocked on the line.

Photo: kingstonian.net

The missed opportunity seemed to spur Tooting on, who almost equalised midway through the half when Adam Broomhead called Luke Garrard into action to tip over a header following a deep free kick from the right.

The attacking pace of the home side became an increasing menace as the half developed. Gibbs in particular was causing problems, and set about charging down on Garrard's goal when picking up a loose clearance in the middle. The chasing defender may have pressured a somewhat earlier shot than otherwise, but it was still a missed opportunity as the shot flew wildly wide.

Vernon Francis was almost gifted a clear strike on target following a goalmouth scramble, but the busy midfielder miscued his effort and ended up kicking little more than the fresh Merton air.

The equaliser eventually came five minutes before half time. Another quick break was abruptly ended, just inside the box, by Tommy Moorhouse. Matt York stepped up to convert with what was an excellent penalty.

The second half was no less frenetic but produced even less clear chances on goal. Just when Tooting might have thought they were gaining a hold on the game, however, a rash moment from Jamie Findlay saw him dismissed for a second bookable offence following a challenge on the lively Dean Lodge.

Substitute Mazin Ahmad embarked upon a surging run down the right touchline and swung in a cross which clipped the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper King scrambling.

Neither goalkeeper was really extended as the dusk set in. Most of the best play was out on the wings, for K's at least. And it was another Mazin Ahmad run which drew a desperate lung from Vernon Francis in the final minute to send the home side down to just nine men.

It was all too late for K's to make the most of the two man advantage, which may or may not have made a difference given Tooting's resolute performance with ten men for the last twenty five minutes of the game. Imperial Fields is a tough place to come, and this performance was everything a drew really is - adequate without being spectacular.