Kingstonian 3-1 Walton Casuals
NOT ALWAYS SMILING UNDER THE SUN

There was a spring in the step and in the light wind as Kingstonian recorded only their third win this year. But the match was marred by two incidents on the pitch - one in each half.

First ex-Ks player Billy Mead had to be stretchered off after a tackle in the home side's midfield that has left him with a serious break to his lower right leg. At the time the tackle seemed innocuous and was a case of both players going for the same ball.

An 18-minute delay ensued before the prone player was taken off by paramedics from Kingston Hospital. He was surrounded by players, officials and his father with an ovation from the crowd.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Then in the 75th minute skipper Simon Sibohy was sent off for a second bookable offence, the first yellow card coming minutes after the first half stoppage.

In fact Sibohy was the only home player to be booked, while the referee Lee Venamore dished out five cards to the visitors, but somehow avoiding sending off Walton substitute Jermaine Hinds.

His one came after only five minutes when he reacted badly from Sibohy's carded tackle and then minutes later he clipped Shin's heels out on the left.

Although he calmed down after the break, he could have easily got a second card during the second half. He didn't - Sibohy did. By then Kingstonian were three goals up and comfortable with it.

After only three minutes Neil Lampton's corner from the right came out of the crowded penalty area onto the left where Wes Goggin looped it back in. A deflection then found Tommy Moorhouse with a simple header in at the right post.

On the half hour the lead was doubled as Bobby Traynor made the most of a penalty to slot one low to the right of the 'keeper. Lampton had been bought down by him as he battled away in the area and the referee immediately blew for the spot kick but kept his cards in his pocket.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Nine minutes after the restart Traynor was fed the ball by Goggin, as both players broke towards the Athletic Ground end. Traynor then coolly despatched the ball into the empty net.

Photo: kingstonian.net

With five minutes to go Walton half time substitute Michael Carpenter's volley from a freekick rebounded off the crossbar and in.

Once again Kingstonian could not register a clean sheet with a late goal. This is something shot stopper Luke Garrard is keenly aware of.

After the match he held up his hands and those off the defence for conceding goals.

"I am disappointed. We deserved a clean sheet and it is a bad habit we have. We deserved a win today and dominated the game."

Indeed the performance by Kingstonian was a lot more up-tempo and miles away from the nadir of Whyteleafe only 12 days ago and with the match at Molesey so close hopefully positive results today and there will ease worries of the drop next month.

Photo: kingstonian.net

This is something that both Garrard and later team boss Alan Dowson have mixed views on.

Garrard said after the match that the result was enough. "Mathematically we are not safe but theoretically we ought to stay up. Without doubt we are safe now."

Dowson was more guarded, saying in a separate interview: "we still need points. We can kick on this for Tuesday."

Overall he was content with the performance: "It was alright. I am happy with it. We had spark."

The game could have easily seen more goals, and a 4-0 home win would not have been undeserved. Traynor and Chris Sharpling missing chances. Sharpling had been clear on minutes after the opening goal when he tamely shot the ball to the Walton 'keeper.

But 3-1 it was in the end, sending the small but noisy crowd home happy, if somewhat subdued by two different episodes on the pitch.