Ks frustrated by Rangers (From Sutton Guardian)

Ks frustrated by Rangers

9:55am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Ryman Premier Division Table & Results

Kingstonian assistant manager Mark Hams was left frustrated after Ks' five-match unbeaten run was brought to an end by a 1-0 defeat at home to Concord Rangers, writes Simon Grier.

Both sides had plenty of chances but it was only the visitors' Tony Stokes who was able to take one, curling impressively past goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey from the edge of the box twelve minutes from time.

Hams conceded that Ks struggled in the opening stages, with Tolfrey forced into a string of saves.

He said: "They whacked us early on and Tolfs was our man of the match by a mile in the first half.

"Conditions were tough and a lot of the game was played in our half but in situations like that you dig in and do as well as you can."

Hams felt both sides had enough chances to win the game though and once Ks settled into the game, they brought the best out of Concord goalkeeper Andy Young.

He made excellent saves to deny Fola Orilonishe and Gary MacDonald, while front duo Bobby Traynor and Stuart Duff also looked dangerous.

Duff has played as lone frontman recently, but Traynor was recalled after the two linked up well in training.

"On Thursday Dowse did a session with the two strikers and they were absolutely phenomenal together; it was that that got them both playing together in the same team," added Hams.

Young had to rush off his line to deny Duff after a particularly good interchange between the two, and made a good save from Traynor in a one-on-one situation.

Hams also felt Ks could have had a penalty for a push on Duff, though admitted the referee would have been 'brave' to award it.

And Concord could point to numerous missed chances themselves, with Traynor and MacDonald both clearing efforts off the line and Tolfrey continuing to impress in the second half.

The defeat was a particular disappointment for Simon Huckle, who received a pre-match award for reaching 200 Ks games, and Hams paid tribute to the hard-working midfielder's landmark.

"He's been a fantastic servant for the club. After a result like today it's pretty hard to be upbeat about anything, but congratulations to him, he's very loyal," he said.

"He's helped me out off the pitch and away from the club many times as well."