Concord Rangers 2-1 Kingstonian

The signings of Tom Hutchinson and Paul Vines led to a massive sense of optimism at Kingstonian. Alan Dowson described the current side as the best he has ever managed, while the fans were confident that this was the team to finally arrest the months-long slump that has seen the side go from title challengers to playoff hopefuls.

These hopes were crushed by Concord Rangers with barely a whimper. Kingstonian never got out of the blocks in the game, not shooting on target until the 82nd minute and succumbing to a defeat that left Dowson appearing numb with shock. The scoreline of 2-1 flattered the visitors.

The most notable feature of the first half was the smell, reminiscent of that which wafted across Kingsmeadow in the days before the nearby sewage works was closed, perhaps one day to make way for a new ground. Beyond that, off-target shots from Greg Ogilvie and Tony Stokes were the only efforts on goal (vaguely) worth noting. Meanwhile, defender Gary MacDonald went off early with another frustrating injury.

Such a tight game was always likely to go the way of the first side to score, and that side was Concord thanks to defensive disorganisation just after the break. Dean Hamlin did well to cover a through ball and clear, but found himself in the left-back position as he did so. Nobody covered the space he left on the other side of the pitch and Tony Stokes took full advantage of the gap to beat Rob Tolfrey.

The hosts controlled the game more than they had in the scrappy first half, having an effort deflected wide on the hour mark and Nicky Crowley's effort come close before doubling their advantage on 67 minutes. Ashley Miller was played in behind a static Ks defence and beat Tolfrey one-on-one with ease.

The introduction of Sam Clayton breathed a tiny modicum of life into a flat Ks performance. In the 75th minute he had Ks' first shot on goal, a 25-yard effort that went narrowly wide. The home side continued to pressurise Ks, striking the post, before Dowson's men got their first shot on target with eight minutes to go, a Tom Bird free kick saved by Dale Brightly.

An impressive 88th minute goal made the scoreline more respectable, when Bobby Traynor rose well to head a long ball across goal and Paul Vines' impressive overhead gave Brightly no chance. It was Vines' fourth goal in as many games. It could not paper over the cracks of an awful Ks display however, that may have Dowson wondering quite where Ks' season goes from here.