K’s leave the Yellas feeling bloo

If travel really does broaden the mind, then supporters across Pitching In Isthmian South Central Division might have developed the intellect of Stephen Hawking this season. In recent weeks, due to appalling weather, we’ve had Fareham fans travelling to home matches in Gosport, Bognor Regis and Moneyfields, Southall fans the ‘hosts’ in Uxbridge, Bracknell Town and Bedfont Sports, Binfield supporters becoming familiar with Ashford Town, Ascot United and Hanworth Villa, Raynes Park Vale fans travelling to Carshalton Athletic, and Kingstonian playing home matches at Ashford Town- indeed they’ve spent most of 2026 playing at the home of the Tangerines, which, if you are travelling by public transport, is very much in the middle of nowhere so necessitates rather a longer journey than you might like. 

That said, if anyone is suited to a role as a nomad, it is a Kingstonian fan. Since leaving Kingsmeadow in 2017 they’ve watched their side play at ‘home’ in Leatherhead, Tolworth (Corinthian-Casuals), Mitcham (Tooting & Mitcham United), and, since the start of last season, at Raynes Park Vale’s Grand Drive. Tonight, finally, they were back at Grand Drive for a home match, as there had been a bright yellow glow in the sky which some observers suggested might be ‘the sun,’ and the pitch had actually dried out a little. That said, by the time of our arrival fifty minutes prior to kick off any warmth generated had long since departed, to be replaced by a chilly mist which gave the floodlights a rather ethereal look. Big coats and woolly hats were out in force, and when the PA system began play, “What a Beautiful Day” fifteen minutes prior to kick off you had to wonder whether the person in charge of the music was a natural optimist or engaging in mockery. 

This was rather a critical encounter. Being away from Raynes Park, despite the travel difficulties it caused, had actually done the K’s some good- the last half a dozen matches had brought four wins, a draw, and then, most recently, defeat against Hayes & Yeading United at the weekend. That defeat aside, that was their best run of form this season, and it had seen them climb out of the bottom four- albeit only on goal difference. The fact that they were in the bottom four in the first place, given the array of talent in their squad, remained rather inexplicable; but victory tonight would see them climb to the heady heights of fourteenth. 

The South Central relegation battle was closer than ever. Four points separated Bognor Regis Town, in thirteenth, with the K’s and nineteenth place Littlehampton Town. Nobody in the bottom half of the table looked able to relax and consider themselves safe. Tonight’s visitors, Ascot United, had more reason that most to worry; they started the night four points from safety, their malaise mainly caused by two wins and twelve defeats on the road. They made the trip having lost four in a row, indeed eight of their previous ten- and were without a win since December 16th. Things really were beginning to look rather desperate for the Yellas- could tonight be the night they began their revival?

The early stages were rather scrappy, and yet, there were some positive early signs for Ascot. They had most of the ball, although a K’s break should have had a more clinical outcome; instead it ended in a tame shot easily saved by Kie Plumley. At the other end two Ascot corners failed to pass the front post, and a shot from Kai Allsopp ended up in the trees outside the ground. 

On ten minutes the visitors had the best chance yet, Kameron English getting ahead of his marker and shooting towards the far post, the ball creeping past the upright a yard the wrong side. Another minute, another off-target Ascot effort- the play so far was confined to the hosts half, and the natives were sounding rather restless. 

It was, then, against the run of play when the K’s took the lead. A fine run from Imran Kayani, some scrappy defending, and the ball ended up back with the number twenty three, his cross to the back post only needing a touch. Eddie Simon has probably never scored an easier goal- and he’s scored rather a lot. This one took his tally to nine in seventeen matches.

Goal: Kingstonian 1 Ascot United 0, Eddie Simon, 13 minutes

The goal galvanised the hosts, and some fine attacking play, which Simon was central to, perhaps should have seen them score another six minutes later. The approach play was electric, the finishing rather less dynamic, but it brought the fans behind the goal to life; what we could see of them, anyway, as the mist mixed with the smoke from the flame-grilled burger stand. From a distance it seemed that lots of people were queuing for a meat-based treat, although there was also a chance that they were simply gravitating towards the only available source of heat. 

Luis Le Paih shot over for the Yellas (who, by the way, were in blue, or perhaps bloo), and the visitors did their best to get a foothold in the game. They got a foothold on a couple of opposition players, too, which brought a couple of yellow cards, and there was also a yellow card for a rather robust Kingstonian challenge, although from our vantage point the player booked wasn’t the player who made the tackle but perhaps we had smoke in our eyes.

On the half hour a thunderous effort from Allsopp crashed back off the bar and was scrambled clear. Perhaps it should have served as a warning. Nine minutes later English, who had been a nuisance all evening, fired a fabulous shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner. 

Goal: Kingstonian 1 Ascot United 1, Kameron English, 39 minutes 

Straight from the restart the visitors got the ball, charged upfield, and could have had another. One minute later, they had. A quick break, fine run, a good cross, and English unmarked to finish at the back post. “Wake up, Kingstonian”, came a shout; it was a shame that advice hadn’t been delivered two minutes earlier.

Goal: Kingstonian 1 Ascot United 2, Kameron English, 41 minutes 

That was that for the first half, and the best team were ahead. But could they hold onto what they had? We were soon to find out. In a word, no! 

Half time: Kingstonian 1 Ascot United 2

The hosts were immediately on the attack at the start of the second half, and within two minutes were level. Sean O’Brien saw a shot ricochet to him at the edge of the box, and hit the ball so hard the noise reverberated around the ground for a moment before the cheering drowned it out.

Goal: Kingstonian 2 Ascot United 2, Sean O’Brien, 47 minutes

Immediately Ascot charged up the other end and Harry Rice forced a full stretch save from the Liam Beech. 

The teams charged frantically from end to end, attacks very much in the ascendancy, helped by some rather panicky defending from both sides. It was unsurprising when a defensive error led to the fifth goal, but Kayani didn’t care, pouncing on a loose ball, charging forward a few yards and firing home.

Goal: Kingstonian 3 Ascot United 2, Imran Kayani, 61 minutes

The match slowed. The hosts were doing most of the attacking, but every time the ball went out of play it seemed to take an age to be returned. A couple of Kingstonian injuries required lengthy treatment which slowed things still further. 

Fourteen minutes from time we had some more excitement, the home defence living dangerously. David Oupoh was allowed to run and curl a shot just wide. One minute later the same player saw another effort blocked as the Yellas fought hard. That fight was to be in vain. 

Ascot pressed, and Kingstonian broke away, Simon leading the charge. Confronted by a defender he stopped, held the ball, and played a perfect pass to Sonny Cooper, who made no mistake.

Goal: Kingstonian 4 Ascot United 2 Sonny Cooper 80 minutes

The visitors didn’t give up, but it was added time before they fashioned a chance. The first came to Kai Tanner, his shot across the goal beating everyone and trickling wide of the far post. The second saw a cross fly across the box, only a touch required- but there was nobody there to touch it in. Kingstonian took the ball up the other end, tried to take it it the corner, and eventually the final whistle went, to cries of “we love you Kingston, we do.”

Final score: Kingstonian 4 Ascot United 2

With this win the K’s moved up to fourteenth- but will not consider themselves safe, the gap between themselves and the bottom four only three points. United, now five points from safety, showed plenty of endeavour but will need more than hard work if they are to survive- and they travel to take on second place Moneyfields on Saturday.

Kingstonian are back at Raynes Park, with Egham Town- another side in good form- their visitors.