Cray Wanderers match report
match report by James Maw
An incredible second-half strike from striker Elliott Buchanan gave Kingstonian a hard-thought win over Cray Wanderers at King George's Field, just when it looked as though they were set for another frustrating afternoon.The afternoon had started well for the hosts, with K's flying out of the traps and dominating the early exchanges, buoyed by a five-match unbeaten run stretching back to that controversial defeat at Folkestone.When Daniel Ajakaiye was tripped in the penalty area after 22 minutes, Gus Sow did what Gus Sow does. The midfielder calmly fired the resultant spot-kick right into the top corner, taking his tally for the season to a hugely impressive 12.But if K's had been hoping for a comfortable afternoon from there on in, they didn't get it. Anthony Cook went down in the book having been caught between Simon Cooper and Rob Tolfrey, and the Cray No.10 duly dispatched his penalty to put the Wands level.Having been frustratingly pegged back in recent home draws with Horsham (in the FA Cup) and Cheshunt - both matches K's will have felt they should have won - there was a real sense of foreboding in the air at King George's Field.Then came 'the moment'.
Elliot Buchanan cut across the field, knocking the ball past a Cray defender as he approached the edge of the penalty area. The visiting keeper, Jack Turner, bolted from his goalline in order to narrow the angle, but that was to prove his and his team's undoing.
The K's No.9, having spotted Turner realise he had overcommitted and start retreating to his goal, elegantly lofted the ball over the keeper, sending the home support into raptures.
Just when it looked like being one of *those* days, came one of *those* moments.
Buchanan's fifth goal of the week and eighth in six matches since returning from his spell at Farnborough.
"It was a goal fit to win any game of football," said assistant manager Jamie Howell after the full-time whistle. "I thought the way he took it was superb."
Howell was also impressed with the way the team knuckled down having been pegged back to 1-1, and then saw out the final stages of the game with relative comfort.
"It was looking quite similar to a lot of other games we've played," Howell said. "We started brightly in the first 20 minutes but then, in fairness to Cray, they came back into the game and caused us a few problems.
"(Reacting well to the equaliser) was important and it was something we've spoken about a lot - making sure we go on the front foot, playing forward when we can. We responded very well to the Cray goal and that gave us the impetus to win the game.
"The attitude of all the boys was superb today - including the lads who came off the bench. I think this was a game where a couple of weeks ago we would have dropped points, whereas now we've come away with all three and that's left us in a good position."
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: Aaron Lamont (for Jason Banton, 82m), Jonathon Gjoshe, Juevan Spencer (for Daniel Ajakaiye, 89m), Jay Barton, Mason Whitnell.
Cray Wanderers: Jack Turner, Freddy Barton, Dean Beckwith, Andy Drury, Chris Dickson, Anthony Cook, Daniel Uchechi, Tom Hanfrey, Jai Reason, Adam Coombes, Richie Danquah.
Subs: Kasim Aidoo, Jack Hanson (for Andy Drury, 75m), Marvin McCoy, Jamie Yila (for Daniel Uchechi, 66m), Fjord Rogers (for Adam Coombes, 84m).
Goal scorers: Gus Sow (22m pen, 1-0), Anthony Cook (55m pen, 1-1), Elliott Buchanan (72m, 2-1)
Attendance: 312
