Kingston firsts fire blanks in drab draw

Tang Van Ngujen came closest to scoring but Kingston couldn’t find the net as they played out a 0-0 draw with Chichester fourths at Tolworth Court on Wednesday.

It was a frustrating start to the competitive season for Kingston, who enjoyed success in their pre-season match-up with local rivals Roehampton last Wednesday.

Neither side found the wet conditions to their liking in a first half that offered little in the way of clear-cut chances.

Kingston captain Conor Billington provided the brightest glimmer of hope for the home side, heading over from Mursal Noobsaibot’s corner.

It was the visitors who carved the clearest opening of the first 45 after they broke on the counterattack, only for the Chichester striker to fire the ball into the side netting when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Kieran Sanderson.

Kingston brought on Kelly Nutsugah and Van Ngujen at half time but the changes did little to liven up the game.

Chichester went close with a shot from 20 yards but that represented the best opportunity for either side until the final 10 minutes.

First, an interchange between Kingston duo Knut Vold and Van Ngujen resulted in a slick pass finding its way to Kaveh Rashti, whose shot was parried away by the Chichester goalkeeper.

Then, with two minutes remaining, Kofi Wiredu’s shot-come-cross grazed the crossbar on its way to the back post where Nutsugah set up Van Ngujen. The striker took a touch before crashing the ball against the bar with the aid of a touch from the Chichester goalkeeper.

That was to be the final chance of the game for either side, leaving Kingston captain Billington rueing a missed opportunity: “We weren’t great out there today. We didn’t keep the ball very well and there were a lot of long passes. Our fitness is still not there either and I think when we get sharper we’ll be a lot better with the ball and in front of goal.”

Kingston’s next league fixture is at Buckingham University on October 23.