By John Bevan
Kingston enjoyed a lot of possession, but delivered little end product while Roehampton were very happy to sit back and play a counter attacking style.
Kingston started well, both on and off the ball, with Roehampton struggling to get out of their own half in the opening exchanges. The home side looked the more likely to score, spreading the ball wide and using the pace of winger Terry Mireku, who caused Roehampton’s defence problems.
The strong spine of a Kingston team that included a solid Abs Lagundoye and Shola Fujah managed to hold off any attack from Roehampton until the 25th minute. The visitors then had a flurry of pressure and scored the opener after half an hour. A low cross was too much for Kingston’s defence to handle, and the striker finished at the back post.
Pressure from Kingston
Kingston responded positively, getting into good positions, but couldn’t find the final pass that would have levelled the game. Leon Schwier weaved his way past two players but couldn’t square to Alex Teniola who was unmarked seven yards from goal.
The constant pressure from Kingston eventually paid off when Mireku managed to lose his marker again and strike home from a tight angle. It was more than deserved.
Roehampton hit the post early in the second half and it was Kingston’s turn to play on the counter attack. When the home side did attack, they still failed to cause any problems inside the box. Schwier and Mireku were involved in a goal line scramble but Roehampton eventually cleared to safety.
Road to defeat
The visitors broke at speed soon after and finished off a flowing attack from 10 yards out after 70 minutes. Five minutes later, Kingston lost their concentration and the same scorer was able to double his tally as he drilled a low shot across the keeper that seemed to put the game out of reach.
Five minutes from time, Terry Mireku set up a tense finish, scoring his second of the game slotting the ball past a stationary keeper. It wasn’t enough, and Roehampton held on at the annual season curtain raiser.