Kingstonian 0-1 Concord Rangers

Kingstonian fell to a one nil defeat at Kingsmeadow against Concord Rangers. In a match of numerous chances where each side dominated a half of the match, when playing with a strong prevailing wind of their backs, it was Concord who left with three points following a fine curling shot from Tony Stokes late in the second half.

Kingstonian reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for this game as Bobby Traynor was restored to the starting line up following reported strong interest in him during the week from Farnborough. Simon Huckle was making his 200th appearance for the K's.

Concord started the match playing towards the Kingston Road end with a strong wind at their backs and soon proceeded to create a number of chances with strikers Stanley and Elmes, well supported by Stokes, enjoying several openings. The best chance of the half however fell to Traynor in the eight minute as he was played through but didn't really catch his shot well and the keeper produced a good save low to his right. Shortly after, the hard working Traynor closed down Tafazolli and his blocked clearance fell to Duff who shot into the side netting from a narrow angle.

This was the last Kingstonian saw of goal for the next thirty minutes as some good last ditch defending and an on form Tolfrey somehow managed to avoid conceding from a plethora of Concord chances. In fact Kingstonian soon had the returning Traynor to thank as he headed Kings goal bound effort off the line.

Kingstonian briefly flickered into life just before half time as Orilonishe's shot looked destined for the top corner before Young athletically turned it round the post.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first but it was now Kingstonian's turn to dominate as they played with the wind at their backs. Traynor was soon in action again as Alimi dispossessed a dawdling Conway and Traynor's smart turn and shot was well saved by Young. Shortly after Traynor headed just over from an excellent right footed cross from Bird.

Further chances came for Kingstonian and MacDonald looked destined to continue his goal scoring run, but his near post volley from a Huckle header was blocked on the line.

Despite the mounting pressure Kingstonian were creating, it was Concord who took the lead against the run of play in the seventy eighth minute. Harry Elmes chased down a ball in the corner that others thought was going out of play, and whilst he was closed out for a throw-in, this was taken quickly and found Stoke who curled in a fine left foot shot from just inside the area.

Kingstonian proceeded to bombard the Concord area for the final ten minutes, but ultimately they could not force an equaliser. Their best chance fell to Huckle who ghosted through a static defence but he failed to make contact with another excellent right footed cross from Bird.

This was a game where both sides created a number of chances, mostly when playing with a strong wind at their backs. The biggest surprise was that there was only one goal, but this one high class finish was all that finally separated the teams.