Five star K’s rock the Robins
An emphatic 5-1 win over Carshalton (and Hornchurch's draw with Canvey in a fierce derby with 4 red cards) means K's are guaranteed a play-off spot.
It's due reward for a remarkable run since March - 5 wins and three draws in the last 8 games puts Kingstonian top of the form guide - while rivals have dropped points in the annual Ryman end-of-season fixture lottery.
Monday's win summed up everything that's been good about K's in recent weeks: Matt Drage and Sam Page dealt with everything a surprisingly spirited Robins team could muster, Steve Laidler and Daniel Pappoe bossed the midfield while Andre McCollin and Ryan Moss did what they always do - score goals.
It was two apiece for the division's best strike-force. Moss, who was named manager's, players' and supporters' player of the season later in the day, opened the scoring in the first half with a neat header. K's had to wait until the hour-mark for McCollin to pitch in, calmly and cheekily poking the ball in having tormented the keeper for a two-second pause when one-on-one. Moss made it 3-0 soon after, another fine header, this time from a Charlie Knight cross.
Substitute Sam Akinde converted a Knight assist 10 minutes from time before Athletic's Brendan Murphy-McVey smashed a brilliant consolation - the first attempt on goal to beat Rob Tolfrey since March.
Goal difference may still matter if K's want to ensure a home playoff semi-final a week on Wednesday - so there was some relief when McCollin volleyed in a fifth just before the close.
The Robins fans sang about the pleasures of the Ryman One South. K's are potentially three matches away from returning to Step 2 of the pyramid for the first time in a decade.
Report: Taimour Lay
