Ks see off play-off rivals Canvey Island (From Surrey Comet)

Ks see off play-off rivals Canvey Island

10:09am Monday 25th January 2010

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Kingstonian 2 Canvery Island 1

After a 21-day weather-induced delay, Kingstonian's first victory of 2010 was, as expected, a hard fought Ryman Premier League encounter against play-off rivals Canvey Island.

Ks made sure of the three points in the first half, when they crowned periods of pressure with goals from striker Bobby Traynor and Bashiru Alimi.

But the Gulls kept themselves in the game, when Kevin Dobinson pulled one back in the very last minute of the first half.

After the break, the Gulls pushed up to try to secure a point but the Ks backline was in commanding form with skipper Adam Thompson, and central defenders John Fletcher and Max Hustwick, hard to get around.

In fact, it was Ks who came closest to scoring again through efforts from sub Lee Hall and striker Carl Wilson-Denis.

Ks now have a midweek break and entertain Margate in more league action on Sunday (1pm) at Kingsmeadow. Alan Dowson's men made the best possible start on just nine minutes, when Alimi caught the Gulls backline cold, sending Wilson-Denis free down the left.

He squared the ball to a waiting BOBBY TRAYNOR, who swept the ball home from close quarters.

Back came the visitors when a cross from striker Gabriel Fanibuyan out on the right was punched clear by Rob Tolfrey but only to Dobinson whose shot was blocked.

Then Dobinson swept in a free-kick from the left flank that was just the wrong side of the far post.

A Matt Gray corner from the left was headed upwards by Gulls skipper Richard Halle, with Russell mopping up.

On 13 minutes a short corner from the busy Gray found Traynor but both his shots were blocked.

A Christian Jolley run down the left looked hopeful but his cross went begging.

On 34 minutes a Gray free-kick out on the left, and from some 25 yards out, was only just wide of the near post with Russell at full-stretch.

Three minutes later, Ks' pressure paid off again when Gray sent in a corner from the left, which led to a melee on the near post, allowing BASHIRU ALIMI to take advantage, nodding the ball home from a couple of yards. Gray then took off down the left but his cross was straight to Russell much to his own frustration.

Gulls winger Greg Cohen set up Fanibuyan on the edge of the Ks box but he drove the ball into the side-netting.

In the final minute of the half, KEVIN DOBINSON sized up a direct free-kick just outside the home box and sent the ball into the top corner past a full-stretch Tolfrey with precision and some style.

Three minutes into the second half and Ks could have out the game to bed.

A pacy and penetrating run by Wilson-Denis into the Gulls box saw him unselfishly try to pick out Traynor darting in but it was a yard too wide.

The Gulls replied with a Cohen cross deep into the Ks box but Tolfrey smothered at the second attempt.

On 63 minutes, Jolley took off and sent in a cross from the left for Mo Harkin, who drove the ball across the face of goal as did Jolley again.

Ks new boy, from Grays and Dulwich, Lee Hickie, in for the suspended Simon Huckle, set Gray free down the right but his low cross was smothered by Russell on the near post.

Gulls sub Leon Gordon's corner from the right was headed over by centre back Chris Moore.

On 66 minutes with the visitors all up for a corner, quick thinking by Jolley set Hall free down the left in plenty of space but his drive struck the body of the outcoming Russell. A Wilson-Denis effort from the edge of the visitors box was comfortable for Russell.

Two minutes later, a defence-splitting diagonal pass from Traynor set Wilson-Denis free down the left. He pulled Russell out of position but drove the ball inches wide of the far post.

Another Gordon corner saw the ball bob around the Ks box before Moore scooped the ball over the bar.

Rob King's 20-yard drive was straight at Tolfrey.

A Gray throw found Jolley on the edge of the Islanders box but he blasted over.

Then a long, high ball from defender Craig Davidson was well held by Tolfrey under pressure.

In the final minute a Gordon corner was again headed over by Moore.

Ks: 1. Rob Tolfrey 2. Matt Gray 3. Max Hustwick 4. Adam Thompson (capt) 5. John Fletcher 6. Luke Hickie 7. Bashiru Alimi (sub Lee Hall, 60mins) 8. Mo Harkin 9. Bobby Traynor 10. Carl Wilson-Denis 11. Christian Jolley (sub Rob Sheridan, 90mins).

Subs: 12. Dean Lodge (not used) 13. Adrian Blake (G/k - not used) 14. Francis Duku (not used) 15. Lee Hall 16. Rob Sheridan.

Ks yellow cards: Fletcher, Alimi, Thompson

Attendance: 343

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