Kingstonian 1-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough
VISITORS BEAVER AWAY THE WIN

A goal at each end of the match saw Kingstonian lose their first friendly at home as they began to gear up for the coming season in the Ryman Premier.

Having conceded a goal after only nine minutes against local Blue Square South team Hampton and Richmond Borough, Ks got back into the match with a rifled Bobby Traynor shot on the right in the 75th minute only for a scrambled effort to hand the win to the visitors with nine minutes left.

Traynor's goal came in one of the most competitive periods of the game and saw him pick up a cross from close season signing Ryan Lake, from the opponents. Almost immediately Elliot Braithwaite restored the lead before inevitably the visitor's star signing Dave Tarpey picked on a goal line scramble to score.

For a pre-season friendly played on a balmy evening the game began lively enough. Ashley Smith won a corner in the sixth minute for the visitors and then minutes later Francis Quarm's free kick from the edge of the box shot over a defensive wall and into the top left corner.

Within minutes Lewis Cook, playing his Kingsmeadow debut, shot just wide from 22 yards. The game then finally settled down and with the half hour mark starting to encroach Smith picked on a loose ball that seconds earlier Tommy Williams had picked up from Francis Duku. Smith's shot was easily saved by Garrard. At the other end Matt Lovett in goal was forced into a diving save as Carl Wilson-Denis turned and shot from the right.

Photo: Ken Sparks - Kingstonian FC

Ks were exerting pressure and Jamie Beer, in the 40th minute, shot to the near post, also from the right, and with Wilson-Denis swooping in Lovett had to be quick off his line to snatch it away. The half ended with Traynor shooting over the bar from yards out after Cook's cross. Lovett dived for the ball but would have been unable to save.

Photo: Ken Sparks - Kingstonian FC

The second half was a quieter affair and it was until the 55th minute when Lawrence Yaku took an indirect free kick and substitute Jon McDonald shot low through the crowded area. Garrard was able to grab the ball as it headed to the line, with the few visiting fans from just across the river and a few players claiming the goal. Referee Charles Breakspear ignored the pleas.

Garrard was then substituted to give new keeper Josh Willis some time between the sticks, as the stream of team changes began to get a head of steam. Coke in the 65th minute took a speculative long shot before a minute later Wilson-Denis crossed in from the left only to find no one nearby. At the opposite end Willis was tested finally when he was able to cover a shot in from Quarm 15 yards out that went just wide of the right far post.

Photo: Ken Sparks - Kingstonian FC

Minutes later Traynor restored parity with his half volley. Braithewaite was then denied at the other end. Willis then was just unable to hold another shot from him in the 81st minute and with Coke also in the mix, Tarpey scrambled the ball over the prone Willis and found the back of the net.

Photo: Ken Sparks - Kingstonian FC

Back came Ks and substitute Wayne Finnie headed wide after picking up NJ Lampton's pass. Next Wilson-Denis was denied after substitute Luke Pigden short ball opened up space.

A useful workout for Ks gave manager Alan Dowson a chance to try out new signings in front of a sparse crowd. The next match, on Saturday, should also see another stern test with ex-Conference side Woking the visitors.