Poor Ks suffer Trophy blow (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Poor Ks suffer Trophy blow

9:09am Tuesday 25th October 2011 in Kingstonian By Taimour Lay

There was a lot more at stake last Sunday than just the £2,200 in prize money.

Kingstonian's poor 1-0 defeat to Godalming Town in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy also robbed the club's supporters of their last hope of a knockout run to rescue what is proving a season of struggle.

Ks boss Alan Dowson admitted the home loss to Ryman One South opposition was a "massive blow financially" and was again left to rue his misfiring midfield.

"How many chances do you need to win a game?" he asked after watching a spirited second-half display in which several opportunities were wasted, most notably when Bashiru Alimi was clean through with 15 minutes remaining but couldn't find a way past Town keeper Jamie Norris.

"They were bad, bad misses. Even Bobby Traynor was at it. I've never seen him like that before," he added.

But it was a shocking first-half performance that ultimately cost Ks dear, just as it had done at Poole Town in the FA Cup last month.

Kicking off at midday seemed to have caught the players napping.

“Some people have strolled the game,” admitted the Ks manager, who has spoken of his frustration at failing to conjure a cup run during his five years in charge.

"It was like a sunday [league] game. There was no atmosphere from anybody, including the players.”

Godalming arrived in fine form, having already reached the last qualifying round of the Cup and sitting 6th in the league.

They controlled the opening period, the one-paced home midfield sat back, and it was only a matter of time until a defensive slip yielded a goal.

Just before the break, captain Adam Foulser crossed from the left, and Ben Edwards duly headed in unmarked past Rob Tolfrey's despairing dive.

With Ks striker Ali Chaaban having to go off unwell at half-time, Simon Huckle filled in up front and Ks took the direct route to goal in chase of the equaliser.

Sam Clayton, Traynor twice, Romone McCrae and Tom Hutchinson all went close but there was a lack of conviction until the very end when keeper Tolfrey ran into the Godalming box to contest a corner in the final seconds.

The ball in fact landed on Gary MacDonald's head but the defender could only knock it straight at a grateful Norris.

Ks must now concentrate on climbing the league for a play-off challenge, starting with tonight's (Tuesday) game at Harrow.