Kingstonian 5 Kettering 2 (FA Trophy Third Round)

Creativity, skill and grace were never going to be attributes of this rip-roaring FA Trophy clash played in dreadful conditions at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday night.

Billed as an explosive fixture, gale-force winds and torrential rain were a discouragement for both stayaway fans in a paltry crowd of 652 and deftness on the pitch.

Kingstonian hardly got off to the best of starts as the Poppies, currently top of the Conference table, took a 12th minute lead through Phil Brown.

They continued piling on the pressure and looked likely to run away with the tie until referee Paul Alcock, involved in a notorious confrontation with Paulo Di Canio before Christmas, made his decisive contribution.

Old foe

In the 23rd minute he reached for his pocket, then flinched, probably sensing his old foe was back on English territory.

But he was resolute and showed red to Lee Hudson for a second bookable offence when the striker smashed the ball out of bounds after play had stopped.

It proved decisive as Kingstonian took advantage of their numerical advantage to draw the curtain over Kettering's promising start.

Just five minutes later Kingstonian were put back on level terms by Eddie Akuamoah who tickled the ball passed keeper Adam Sollitt from inside the box.

And the score was doubled in as many minutes, with the Ks, growing in confidence, scoring through Dave Leworthy.

By this time Kingstonian were firing on all cylinders with man of the match Geoff Pitcher orchestrating the attacks.

Back heel

The best move came on the stroke of half time when defender Colin Luckett released Pitcher down the wing with a back heel.

His low cross was flicked on by Akuamoah to Leworthy who clinically dispatched the ball through a crowd of players into the net.

At 3-1 the second half was a formality with Kingstonian taking it to four on the 53rd minute thanks to a Simon Stewart header with Pitcher again the provider.

Kettering were fortunate to pull one back when Farrelly's clearance rebounded in farcical fashion against Brett McNamara. But it was too late for a comeback and, just to make sure, Pitcher slid the ball past Sollitt in the 87th minute for the fifth. Kingstonian travel to Whyteleafe for the FA Trophy Fourth Round on Saturday February 6.

Kingstonian: Farrelly, Mustafa, Luckett, Crossley, Stewart, Harris, Patterson, Pitcher (Corbett, 89), Rattray, Leworthy, Akuamoah.

Attendance: 652.

`We're still not good enough' - Chapple

Following his side's 5-2 rout of Conference high flyers Kettering in the FA Trophy, a satisfied Geoff Chapple said his side still have a lot to do if they want to challenge for the title.

"We were slow out of the blocks. After the first goal I thought we were in for a difficult time.

"The sending-off of Hudson changed the game and we sensed we could get something out of it.

"All credit to Kettering Town who showed why they are top of the league. But we showed tonight that Kingstonian can compete against them."

But he was critical of his side's second half performance:

"When we came out, despite the two-goal lead, I still thought anything could happen.

"In recent games we have been so inconsistent. Kettering's second goal was a perfect example. It was an almighty cock-up.

"We go to Whyteleafe for the next round which I expect will be a difficult fixture for us. But it's a cup tie and as always it's whoever wants it more on the day who wins."

This Saturday the Ks entertain Farnborough Town who are currently last in the Conference.

Chapple said: "I am more concerned about the state of the pitch.

"It held up well tonight but the groundsmen will have a lot of work to get it into condition for Saturday."

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