Cheshunt match report
match report by James Maw
Kingstonian slumped to a fourth successive defeat as Craig Edwards’ Cheshunt battled to a 1-0 victory at Theobalds Lane on a sunny afternoon in Hertfordshire.
The defeat left K’s with just two draws and three goals from eight matches, after the previous losses to Worthing, Potters Bar, Horsham, Worthing (again), Potters Bar (again). The battle for a play-off spot now looks like a hugely challenging one.
Yet this was a far from calamitous performance from Hayden Bird’s team.
Alex Addai, starting on the right wing having recently returned for a second spell in the red and white hoops, looked particularly menacing in a first-half in which K’s moved the ball well without creating many clear openings.
A dangerous in-swinging corner from Kenny Beaney was perhaps the biggest cause for concern for Cheshunt keeper George Marsh, who had performed heroics a week earlier as the Ambers narrowly lost their FA Trophy tie at Stockport County 1-0.
Walter Figueira would later draw a save from Preston Edwards - a half-time replacement for Marsh - but the K’s No.10’s shot was comfortably dealt with by the former Dulwich Hamlet keeper.
Fabio Saraiva fizzed a dangerous-looking free-kick across the Cheshunt box but none of his team-mates could find a crucial touch.
But just as Kingstonian looked to have wrestled full control of the game, they found themselves 1-0 down. K's goalkeeper Serine Sanneh dived at the feet of the advancing Jamie Reynolds, but his challenge only ended with both players sprawling on the deck. Cheshunt No.9 Rowan Liburd reacted quickest and prodded into the empty net from the edge of the penalty area.
From then on in, Cheshunt were the better side. The closest K's came to an equaliser was when Elliot Buchanan dragged a shot agonisingly wide of Edwards’ left-hand post.
It was yet another ‘one of those days’ in this part of the world.
Cheshunt: George Marsh, Enock Ekongo, Daniel Ojo, Amadou Kassarate, Adam Crowther, Taylor McKenzie, Kayne Diedrick Roberts, Joe Re, Rowan Liburd, Taylor Miles, Jamie Reynolds.
Subs: Ola Williams, Reece Beckles-Richards (for Kayne Diedrick Roberts, 67m), Zack Newton (for Jamie Reynolds, 74m), Chevron McLean, Preston Edwards (for George Marsh, HT)
Kingstonian: Serine Sanneh, Jerry Puemo, Fabio Saraiva, Alfie Young, Ollie Cook, Kenny Beaney, Alex Addai, Gus Sow, Elliott Buchanan, Walter Figueira, Kershaney Samuels.
Subs: Jay Barton, Simon Cooper, Lewis Pearch (for Alfie Young, 88m), Daniel Ajakaiye (for Kershaney Samuels, HT), Mason Whitnell.
Goal scorer: Rowan Liburd (71m, 1-0)
Attendance: 268
