Kingstonian veterans too strong for Rocks in cup final

A powerful Kingstonian veterans side just about deserved their 2-0 victory in the Isthmian Veterans' Cup final in an entertaining match played in the Sunday sunshine at Nyewood Lane.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2011, 17:59 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 17:51 BST

The visitors soon showed they were going to be a force to be reckoned with, and Vijay Korgoakar in the home goal had to be alert to prevent Conrad Kane scoring in the second minute.

Minutes later Simon Mitchell’s great run into the area seemed sure to produce the first goal – until Jody Rowland’s superb tackle dispossessed him.

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Although Kingstonian were the stronger side, the Rocks almost took the lead when Paul Pullen’s deflected shot needed visiting keeper Jimmy Glass – famous for scoring that last-second goal which kept Carlisle in the Football League in 1999 – to pull off a good save.

Moments later Korgoakar again saved well from Dave Graham, before the Ks took a deserved lead. Darin Killpartrick headed off his own line and then the impressive Eddie Akumoah smashed the ball against the post.

He got to the rebound first and tried again from close range, and although Korgoakar did get his hand to it he could not prevent a goal.

Nine minutes later Kingstonian scored again. Conrad Kane outpaced the defence after picking up an excellent through-ball from Marc Dunne, and his rasping shot from the edge of the area gave Korgoakar no chance.

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Bognor played the better football in the second half. Duncan Jupp was superb as he constantly outran the Kingstonian defenders and his crosses caused constant problems.

Pullen thought his header from one of Duncan’s crosses was goalbound, but somehow a defender blocked it on the line.

Miles Rutherford and Korgoakar dealt calmly with anything that came their way and the game ended with ten minutes of constant pressure from Bognor – and how Glass kept Brian Arnell’s header out in the dying moments only he will know.

Overall, it was probably a fair result, but the crowd of around 200 were entertained superbly and the Rocks can feel proud they continued to play excellent passing football.

ROCKS VETS: Korgoakar, Jupp, Sherlock, Pullen, Young, Rowland, Arnell, Pearce, Miles, Simpson, G Rutherford. Subs: M Rutherford, Killpartrick.

SIMON COOK

Related topics:Darin Killpartrick