Kingstonian 1-0 Hendon

What a difference a week makes. After some deeply disappointing recent performances Kingstonian bounced back to record a 1-0 deserved win over league leaders Hendon, courtesy of a 76th minute penalty converted by Bobby Traynor.

Kingstonian fielded two new players with striker Ali Chaaban and midfielder Ramone McCrae coming into the starting line up. Both made a difference as Chaaban produced a very lively performance upfront and McCrae demonstrated good spatial awareness and used the ball intelligently.

The first half hour passed without much incident and although Kingstonian enjoyed the better possession, Hendon created the better chances without really threatening a goal. As the tempo started to increase only some brave last ditch defending by Hendon prevented a goal as both Harkin and Chaaban had shots blocked at close range before Traynor's goal bound effort was deflected narrowly wide.

Kingstonian continued to ramp up the pressure in the final few minutes of the half. As Chaaban raced through from the half way line he spurned the simple sideways ball to Clayton and was dispossessed at the last moment as he prepared to shoot. A late flurry of corners led to chances for Chaaban and Hutchinson before Huckle flashed a header just wide from a Jenkins free kick.

Hendon were late emerging from the tunnel for the second half and, presumably having had a few harsh words from their manager, started with more purpose. However this soon waned as Kingstonian got back on the front foot and created good chances, the best of which saw Huckle head wide from close range when he looked bound to score.

Possibly the turning point of the game came in the sixty third minute as Hendon took a short corner which was cleverly dummied at the near post. Godfrey's mis-hit shot was then scooped over the bar by Ngoyi from three yards. As if realising the extent of their let off Kingstonian put this behind them and proceeded to dominate the remainder of the game.

Chances now started to flow thick and fast as first a deflected Jenkins free kick was athletically tipped over by Laurencin before he produced an equally good save to deny Clayton from 20 yards. The increasing pressure finally told in the seventy sixth minute as Busby mis-timed his jump and handled the ball in the area. The ever reliable Bobby Traynor calmly slotted the penalty home.

Bar a 30 yard short from centre half Peacock, Hendon created no further chances despite rallying well in the final few minutes. The relief of the home crowd was palpable as the referee blew the final whistle.

This was a vastly improved Kingstonian performance and overall they were fairly comfortably the better side. They restricted Hendon to a few half chances, apart from Ngoyi's miss in the second half. The only disappointment was that they failed to score from open play. However it was still a very good team performance, from a solid defensive line, a midfield that won, retained and used the ball well, through to a strike pairing of Traynor and Chaaban who looked lively and dangerous all afternoon.