Williams fires Ks to the top of the table

Kingstonian climbed to the top of the table with a satisfying and dramatic 10-man victory over neighbours Walton Casuals.

The Stags were keen to get their season, which started well, back on track and were on top after 26 minutes when Ks midfielder Simon Huckle received a straight red card for elbowing Steve Tyson.

It proved a real turning point for Ks, however, galvanising a side missing flu-hit Dean Lodge.

The Ks management team also made a clever early second-half double subsitution of Wayne Finnie and NJ Lampton.

It paid off, when Tommy Williams crowned a typically selfless, hard-working performance, grabbing the only goal of the game late on.

But of equal importance was Ks skipper Luke Garrard, who made a superb save in the dying seconds of additional time that ensured maximum points.

Before Ks return to the glory of the FA Cup next Saturday, when they entertain Conference South Braintree Town, they take on old foes Leatherhead at Kingsmeadow tonight (Monday, 7.45pm) in more vital league action.

The first 45 minutes on Saturday were a wee bit scrappy and soporific in the warm sunshine. It was the Stags who looked the more threatening.

They started well, Gary Meaking set up Liam Grier who volleyed over from 20 yards.

On nine minutes the Stags went closer when a free-kick from Sonny Farr found the head close in of John Ambridge but Garrard, who had a flawless game, instinctively turned the ball out.

Then striker Victor Asombang whipped in a cross from the right that Jon Coke in the Ks goalmouth chested down for his keeper to mop up.

Then Asombang let loose a strike from the edge of the Ks box that Garrard again pushed away.

Ks responded with a Carl Wilson-Denis cross from the right that keeper Craig Bradshaw pulled out of the air before a waiting Bobby Traynor could strike.

On 26 minutes, though, it was a disaster for the Ks when Huckle's aerial entanglement with Tyson led to an early bath.

It seemed harsh but referee John McGann was right on the spot.

Ks weathered the storm and in fact Traynor and Wilson-Denis threatened but kept running foul of the assistant ref's flag.

On just 52 minutes it was Stags striker Chris Kiganda who burst into the Ks box but, fortunately for the visitors, his fierce strike was straight at Garrard.

There was a long conversation in the Ks dug-out as coach Mark Hams directed his subs Finnie and Lampton.

Ks then had their best chance so far when Nick Rundell sent a long and high ball down the left for Wilson-Denis who set Traynor free down the left, Bradshaw came flying out as the Ks striker placed his shot just wide of the far post.

Jack Francis did well to stop a penetrating Phil Williams's run in the home box.

A poor backpass from Ambridge saw Traynor pounce but Bradshaw did well to mop up.

A rising drive from Farr was pushed out for a corner by a full-stretch Garrard.

A Tommy Williams drive from just inside the home box was blocked, Jamie Beer and Bradshaw pounced on the loose ball, but again the Stags keeper made a good block.

A long throw from sub Finnie caused a stir in the Stags goalmouth, with both Adam Thompson and Wilson-Denis trying to force the ball home.

It was a high ball from Finnie that found Wilson-Denis free in the home box, he lobbed Bradshaw but went wide.

On 78 minutes, Ks went one better when a clearance from Garrard found Wilson-Denis, he lobbed the Stags backline as TOMMY WILLIAMS latched on to the ball, the flag stayed down. and he coolly slipped the ball past the outcoming Bradshaw.

Williams was mobbed by his teammates in front of the travelling army of Ks fans.

Then three minutes into additional time and more drama.

A Farr cross from the left found Tyson on the far post and his header looked goalbound until a full-stretch Garrard instinctively turned the ball onto a post by a for an extremely valuable save. The travelling Ks fans rose to their feet to applaud a fighting ten-man win.

Ks: 1. Luke Garrard (capt) 2. Jon Coke (sub Wayne Finnie, 56mins) 3. Nick Rundell 4. Adam Thompson 5. Max Hustwick 6. Simon Huckle 7. Jamie Beer 8. Tommy Williams 9. Bobby Traynor 10. Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Jon Neal, 81mins) 11. Phil Williams (sub NJ Lampton. 56mins).

Subs: 12. NJ Lampton 13. Luke Naughton (G/k - not used) 14. Jon Neal 15. Wayne Finnie 16. Jean-Serge Musungu (not used).

Ks red cards: Simon Huckle

K's yellow cards: Bobby Traynor, Tommy Williams.

Attendance: 241