K's Downed by McKenzie winner
match report by Simon Grier.
With high-flying Haringey Borough tripping up for the first time in a long time, Ks missed the chance to narrow the eight point gap by losing an entertaining contest at Tonbridge.
Ks fell behind just the tenth minute when Rob Tolfrey could only clear a high ball from under his crossbar as far as Chinedu McKenzie on the corner of the box. McKenzie crossed low and top scorer Alex Read turned in from close range.
Debutant Rhys Murrell-Williamson had an effort deflected wide for Ks and Louie Theophanous missed the target from around the penalty spot but on 29 minutes the home side's advantage was doubled. Former Ks man Joe Turner picked the ball up on the corner of the box before cutting inside and finding the bottom corner with a precision finish.
Leigh Dynan must have been preparing a tough half-time team talk but then, quite incredibly, Ks not only pulled one back in first half injury time but then found an equaliser too. First, Dean Inman stooped at the far post to head home a Murrell-Williamson cross and then Shaun McAuley volleyed into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Both sides had chances after the break, with Tolfrey saving well from McKenzie and Theophanous firing over after more good work by Murrell-Williamson. Tonbridge goalkeeper Jonathan Henley had to make a sharp near post save from Theophanous while Turner and then substitute Thomas Murphy both came close for the home side.
It was Angels who grabbed the game's crucial fifth goal though, Tolfrey unable to hold a free kick that bounced awkwardly in front of him and McKenzie reacting first to poke home the rebound.
Shortly afterwards Murphy chipped against the post but from there in Tonbridge shut the game down well in the last twenty minutes, Ks' main chance of note seeing Alfie Doughty fire over after running onto a flicked header by Theophanous.
With just ten points covering the teams from 2nd down to 15th in the league, the Isthmian League remains as tight as it's been all season.
Tonbridge Angels: Jonathan Henly, James Folkes, Jack Parter, D'Sean Theobalds, Sonny Miles, Arthur Lee, Jared Small, Tom Parkinson, Alex Read, Chinedu McKenzie, Joe Turner.
Subs: Craig Stone, Tom Beere (for Jared Small, 86m), Tom Murphy (for Alex Read, 62m), Liam Smith.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Tyler Brown, Aaron Lamont, Dean Inman, Tommy Brewer, Rhys Murrell-Williamson, Shaun McAuley, Louie Theophanous, Joe Wicks, Alfie Doughty.
Subs: Elliott Buchanan, Jay Gasson (for Tommy Brewer, 58m), Terrique Hall-Anderson (for Joe Wicks, 55m), Manolis Gogonas (for Aaron Lamont, 72m), Temi Eweka.
Goal scorers: Alex Read (10m, 1-0), Joe Turner (27m, 2-0), Dean Inman (45m, 2-1), Shaun McAuley (45+3m, 2-2), Chinedu McKenzie (71m)
Attendance: 433
