Practice makes perfect for Ks (From Your Local Guardian)

Practice makes perfect for Ks

11:49am Friday 17th February 2012 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Kingstonian manager Alan Dowson has warned his players they must impress on the training pitch as much as anywhere else to earn a place in his side.

Ks have not played a Ryman League Premier Division clash since January 30 because of the recent cold snap that saw games with Margate and Lowestoft Town postponed.

Dowson’s men have trained at Hinchley Wood School and Kingsmeadow athletics track to beat the big freeze and keep his men in shape ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wingate & Finchley and Monday’s rescheduled visit of Margate.

Striker Stuart Duff, on loan from Hampton for the rest of the season, looks set to be preferred up front to Bobby Traynor for the time being with Ks currently enjoying a run of one defeat in their last nine games.

But Dowson has revealed performances on the training ground will be just as important as on matchday if players want to keep hold of their shirts.

“I’m not guaranteeing anyone a place in the side, even though we have lost only one game in nine,” he said.

“We have trained well and are in good shape, but there are going to be difficult decisions to make.

“The one thing I am certain of is that Stuart Duff will play because he has been unbelievable since he has come to the club.”

Kingstonian are seven points adrift of the table’s top five and, with the exception of hamstring injury victim Aaron Goode and Tom Hutchinson (knock), Dowson has a full strength squad for the run-in.

“If we can win two of our next three games it will be interesting to see how things shape up,” added the manager.

“We’ll just be going out to win as many games as possible and see how it goes.

“We are no longer favourites for anything when you think of our league position and budget, so that could easily play in to our hands.

“Everyone is in the same boat with fixtures piling up now, but there is good spirit in this camp and we will give it a go.”