Kingstonian, three seasons ago one of the strong teams in the Conference can almost be looked upon as league standard. The first half saw that come to play. The Dons were held back in their own half for the majority of play, with a complete onslaught of the goal, thankfully blasted wide or in the safe hands of Bell. After 20 minutes of play the goal came, and it was not to be unexpected. It came from the left of the goal, and was struck cleanly into the net. The hinderence was that we were sliced open, ran away from the player, and left the goalie as our last resort. At half time we were 1-0 down, but with everything still to play for.
I believe that Eames is a real character: I feel this as he must have done something to the players at half time. The Dons came roaring onto the pitch, to a rapturous applaus. Still the Dons were balancing in their own half, and really taking all that Kingstonian could throw at them. Again, a goal was struck, straight off the bar and in; even I had to commend it. This seemed to give us some inner strength, some self belief, the fighting spirit that the Dons have always known. After the goal was scored Kingstonian were outplayed. Balls were played well, space was used, and the opposition were chasing shadows. Our persistence paid off as corner after corner was one, until a free-kick was dutifully given to us. The ball was curled in only to be shot out, then hit back at goal. The ball came bounding out, only to be stopped by none other than himelf, Dave Fry. He chested it down, the struck the ball first time with his right foot to send the ball into the back of the net, and the crowd into rapture. The chant that follwed was: "We only score great goals", and how true it is. For the rest of the half we were unlucky to grab a second, and we looked the better team overall in the second half.
hats off to Kingstonian who showed us how football should be played, in the first half. They were sharper, fitter and meaner than us, but the table sure was turned in the second half by a performance that should see us maul other CCL teams. Personally, I am elated with the way that things are progressing, and have agreed that the only way to train ourselves, and to get out of the CCL first time, is to play teams from the higher divisions.
Well done to all that turned up, it was an excellent crowd, and for me was more special that the Sutton United game. I just pray that every home game is like that.
We have a team people, and a good one it is...