Bognor Regis Town match report
match report by Simon Grier
Hayden Bird has typically favoured playing one central striker during his managerial career but in Daniel Ajakaiye and Elliot Buchanan he has two fine ones on his books at the moment. After the two combined to help Ks rescue a point against Bognor Regis Town, he might once again be wondering if he needs to find a way of accommodating them both if he’s to get this Ks side playing its best.
Ajakaiye, in fairness, was limited only to a cameo after a bout of illness in the week. But he found enough energy to get away from his man and lay on a low cross for Buchanan to equalise six minutes from time.
The first half had been tough for Ks. Bognor had most of the ball and Jordy Mongoy fired narrowly wide in only the third minute. Ks then had to clear a header off the line before The Rocks took the lead on 16. It came from the penalty spot when Jerry Puemo, Bird’s only fit centre-back, brought Ashton Leigh down on the edge of the box. James Crane stepped up to send Rob Tolfrey the wrong way.
Tolfrey had to make a good save midway through the half from a Bognor header, while Ks only troubled their former goalkeeper Amadou Tangara a couple of times. Jason Banton hit the post from the edge of the box after slipping while he shot and in injury time, Tangara saved a Buchanan free kick.
Bognor remained the better side after the interval, with Mongoy forcing Tolfrey to save and Nathan Odokonyero heading narrowly over after good work from substitute Kayne Diedrick-Roberts.
But Ks weathered the storm and kept the deficit to one, giving themselves the chance to eventually come back into the game after Ajakaiye’s introduction 14 minutes from time.
Banton came agonisingly close when he curled a twenty-yarder onto the inside of the post with Tangara beaten, while the goalkeeper also saved from Buchanan. But the breakthrough eventually came six minutes from time.
Gus Sow, by now playing at right-back, did well to keep a ball in on the right and find Ajakaiye. He got ahead of his marker with a burst of pace, laying the ball across for an unmarked Buchanan to finish from close range. The striker didn’t waste any time celebrating, instead giving a determined fist pump while retrieving the ball from the net to give Ks the maximum possible time to push for a winner.
Despite being well on top by this point Ks couldn’t fashion another clear-cut chance, Rhys Murrell-Williamson firing wide with their best effort. A draw was a creditable result though away to a playoff rival as attention turns to the cups for Ks’ next couple of games.
Bognor Regis Town: Amadou Tangara, Jake Flannigan, James Crane, Calvin Davies, Joe Cook, Craig Robson, Harvey Whyte, Harrison Brook, Nathan Odokonyero, Ashton Leigh, Jordy Mongoy.
Subs: Charlie Bell (for Ashton Leigh, 85m), Ethan Robb, Kayne Diedrick-Roberts (for Harrison Brook, 49m), Joe Dandy.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Juevan Spencer, Bryant Akono Bilongo, Kershaney Samuels, Jerry Puemo, Kenny Beaney, Nyren Clunis, Gus Sow, Elliott Buchanan, Jason Banton, Aaron Lamont.
Subs: Jay Barton (for Juevan Spencer, 83m), Daniel Ajakaiye (for Nyren Clunis, 76m), Rhys Murrell-Williamson (for Aaron Lamont, HT), Mason Whitnell.
Goal scorers: James Crane (16m pen, 1-0), Elliott Buchanan (84m, 1-1)
Attendance: 916
