Bognor Regis Town match report
match report by James Maw
There are many things in life that can never really be explained.
Who was Jack the Ripper? How did Stonehenge end up like that? What happened to Lord Lucan? How do Chelsea always get a team from League One or lower at home in the Third Round of the FA Cup?
And now... why on earth did the referee book Kenny Beaney for time wasting with Kingstonian desperately scrambling to mount a late attack and snatch a victory over the ten men of Bognor Regis Town?
Perhaps we'll never know the answer, but that head-scratcher should not detract from what was a thoroughly entertaining night of Isthmian Premier League action, and an encouraging performance from Lee O'Leary's Kingstonian after a faltering start.
In a first half of few clear openings, it had been the visitors who looked the better side. K's struggled to find their rhythm, and Bognor looked in control.
They took the lead on the half hour when Isaac Olaniyan swung in a cross from the Bognor left that caught out Mac Chisolm, sailing over the K's keeper and into the back of the net. He may not have meant it but the 1-0 lead was no more than Bognor deserved on the balance of play.
K's best chances of a first-half equaliser both came in the 41st minute when Sean Bonnett-Johnson pounced on a poor clearance by Bognor keeper Myles Bowman, but hit a powerful shot straight at the Rocks stopper. Moments later a cross found Kieron Cadogan unmarked six yards out, but he was unable to find the target with his header.
But if the first half had been largely flat, the second was anything but. O'Leary's side cranked up the pressure after the interval, with Bognor camped in their own penalty area for prolonged spells under a barrage of set pieces.
Then, in a five-minute spell, the game completely turned on its head.
First, Tyrese Owen slotted home the equaliser after good work by Ben Ward-Cochrane down the K's left. Then, a minute later, it was Ward-Cochrane who had the ball in the net, coolly slotting the ball under Bowman. The game then seemed to swing even further in the hosts' favour when Bognor's Leon Baker was sent off for two quick yellow cards.
It seemed for all the world like Kingstonian were all set for their second league win over the season... and then Bognor equalised. Sam De St Croix burst into the box, dropped a shoulder, and bent the ball into the bottom corner.
K's were clearly the more keen to push for a winner - whatever the referee thought - but Bognor Regis held firm for a draw that Kingstonian would have been delighted with at half time, but were perhaps frustrated by come full time.
Kingstonian: Mac Chisholm, Dwight Pascal, Corey Parchment, Jack Strange, Tobi Ogundega, Tyrese Owen, Thomas Gogo, Kenny Beaney, Ben Ward-Cochrane, Kieron Cadogan, Sean Bonnett-Johnson.
Subs: Gabriel Ajuchi (for Kieron Cadogan, 88m), Louis Collins, Kwesi Ntim, Fumnaya Shomotun (for Sean Bonnett-Johnson, 80m), Michael Abnett.
Bognor Regis Town: Myles Bowman, Calvin Davies, James Crane, Leon Baker, Tom Bragg, Danny Howick, Sam de St Croix, Isaac Olanitan, Nathan Odokonyero, Nick Dembele, Luke Robinson.
Subs: Tom Chalaye, Jake Flannigan (for James Crane, 69m), Bradley Lethbridge, Craig Robson (for Nick Dembele, 90+7m), Toby Steward.
Red card: Leon Baker (65m, second caution)
Goal scorers: Isaac Olaniyan (21m, 0-1), Tyrese Owen (60m, 1-1), Ben Ward-Cochrane (61m, 2-1), Sam de St Croix (77m, 2-2)
Attendance: 248
