K’s beaver away at Hampton
If ever a goal summed up a game it was this one. A low-key finish, without much fanfare off the back of a mistake gave Ks a win over an awful Hampton and Richmond Borough side.
It was Matt Somner’s 11th minute volley and it was only when Somner was sent off the Kingstonian looked in any danger of conceding.
In truth it was a poor game between two sides waiting for the season to end. Both were in the upper echelons and held promotion hopes earlier in the season, both have seen their hopes freeze to a halt once the weather did the same. Alan Dowson gave indication that he has given up the promotion dream with his line-up. Academy graduate Jamil Okai was given his full league debut as was newcomer Scyzmon Sidorwicz.
Somner’s winner came from the corner that followed Andre McCollin’s run and shot that was turned round the corner by Rodney Chiweshe in the hosts’ goal. Matt Pattison’s corner found only the head of ex-Derby County defender Darren Powell who inexplicably headed the ball towards his own goal under pressure from his own teammate. Somner was left with the easiest of jobs to score his second in as many games.
From then on the game was pedestrian. Mo Bettamer squandered Hampton’s best chance, completely missing the ball having been given the freedom of the Ks’ area, while Somner cleared Alan Bray’s header off the line. At the other end Pattison blazed over from close range before Somner had the final say as his wild lunge resulted in Ks’ 11th red card of the season.
The positives? Ks kept their first clean sheet in 14 games, Okai ran around a bit and Luke Wanadio was lively.
Report: Jamie Cutteridge
