Farnborough match report
match report by Philip Murphy
Kingstonian sealed a place in the Third Round of the FA Trophy with an emphatic display against Southern League leaders Farnborough. Goals from Gus Sow, Jason Banton, Daniel Ajakaiye and Elliott Buchanan paved the way for a 4-1 victory at King George’s Field.
The visitors, with only one loss in their previous 12 games, started brightly but K’s had the first meaningful attempt on 20 minutes when Banton jinked from the left and forced a smart save from Dante Baptiste. Ajakaiye couldn’t quite manage to force in the rebound.
Five minutes later Rhys Murrell-Williamson burst down the right and played in Elliott Buchanan. The striker showed sure-footed composure to beat his man but was denied by a superb save from Baptiste.
On the chilliest of afternoons, it was ice-cool Gus Sow who broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Banton and Akono Bilongo linked up down the left and when the ball fell for Sow he made no mistake in finding the bottom corner to give K’s a 1-0 lead.
K’s continued to probe as the half progressed. Buchanan's headed effort was tipped over from close range and Banton was denied by the inside of the post.
Banton’s excellent first half performance was capped off with a deserved goal on the stroke of half-time. The No. 10 collected from Akono Bilongo, advanced into the box and chipped towards goal with his left foot. Baptiste could only watch as it flew into the top corner, perhaps with the aid of a small deflection.
Half-Time: Kingstonian 2-0 Farnborough
A double substitution at the break couldn’t change Farnborough fortunes as K’s and Daniel Ajakaiye pursued a third goal. The frontman flashed a warning shot just wide of the post in the opening minutes.
On 51 minutes it was Ajakaiye who made it 3-0. Banton and Buchanan combined, and the ball broke for Ajakaiye who bundled home from close-range.
A minute later K’s thought they had a fourth, but the linesman’s flag denied Ajakaiye who slotted home following excellent work from Clunis.
‘Boro however found a glimmer of hope when Harry Cooksley headed home unmarked after 78 minutes.
The visitors pushed in the moments that followed and K’s had Rob Tolfrey to thank for keeping the score at 3-1 to avoid a nervy finish.
Buchanan and Lamont both went close in the dying stages before Buchanan inevitably found his way onto the scoresheet. Barton played a clever give-and-go with Ajakaiye, before squaring for the in-form striker to tap home and round off a super Hoops performance.
K’s reward is a trip to National League opposition Aldershot Town on Saturday 18th December, with ex-K’s striker, Corie Andrews a familiar face in the ranks at The Recreation Ground.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Nyren Clunis, Bryant Akono Bilongo, Simon Cooper, Ollie Cook, Kenny Beaney, Daniel Ajakaiye, Gus Sow, Elliott Buchanan, Jason Banton, Rhys Murrell-Williamson.
Subs: Jerry Puemo, Aaron Lamont (for Jason Banton, 75m), Juevan Spencer, Jay Barton (for Rhys Murrell-Williamson, 75m), Mason Whitnell.
Farnborough: Dante Baptiste, Frankie Sutherland, Louie Paget, Elis Watts, Jordan Rose, CJ Fearn, Ricky Holmes, Sam Deering, David Pratt, Paul Hodges, Reggie Young.
Subs: Michael Fernandes (for Elis Watts, HT), Harry Cooksey (for Ricky Holmes, 55m), Youel Emmanuel, Seth Owens (for Louie Paget, HT), Dan Lincoln, George Butler.
Goal scorers: Gus Sow (26m, 1-0), Jason Banton (42m, 2-0), Daniel Ajakaiye (52m, 3-0), Harry Cooksley (79m, 3-1), Elliott Buchanan (90m+2, 4-1)
Attendance: 329
