12:00am Saturday 1st January 2000
Kingstonian 3 - Leek Town 0.
Kingstonian cruised to a comfortable victory on Tuesday night to boost their confidence before Saturday's FA Trophy clash with Yeovil.
Goals from Geoff Pitcher, captain Matt Crossley and Dave Leworthy sealed an easy win on a freezing night in front of the Ks' lowest Conference crowd of the season.
Leek enjoyed early possession but produced just two tame shots from Adie Mike and Dale Hawtin.
The Ks almost broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Pitcher latched onto Gary Patterson's long ball but keeper Gary Ingham pulled off a fine save.
Just two minutes later the home side took the lead.
Man of the match Tarkan Mustafa embarked on a mazy run, fed Eddie Akuamoah and his cross was headed in by Pitcher.
And in the 38th minute the Ks made it two when Crossley headed in Colin Luckett's teasing free-kick.
Pitcher nearly scored his second of the night just before half-time but the keeper saved his fierce shot.
Kingstonian wrapped up their win in the 49th minute when Dave Leworthy lobbed the third goal although he looked offside.
Tarkan Mustafa almost scored the Ks' goal of the season in the 75th minute when he embarked on a 40-yard run, riding a series of tackles.
Unfortunately after the excellent run his final shot was beaten away by Leek keeper Ingham.
Jerome John made two excellent saves from Mike and McAuley to keep a clean sheet.
Kingstonian: John, Mustafa, Luckett, Crossley, Stewart, Harris, Patterson, Pitcher, Rattray, Leworthy (Francis, 80), Akuamoah.
Att: 606.
Fighting to go out in style
Geoff Chapple has brought two new faces into his squad as the Ks prepare to push for a high finish in the Conference.
Kofi Nyamah is an attacking left wing-back signed from Luton Town who replaced Colin Luckett in the starting eleven for Saturday's game against Kettering. He scored on his debut in the friendly against Widzew Lodz and hit the bar with a spectacular free-kick in the last minute of the Kettering match.
Striker Delton Francis came on as a substitute against Kettering. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract after Chapple snapped him up from Dr Martens Premier League side Halesowen Town for a fee of less than £10,000.
His signature was secured despite competition from a number of other clubs.
Chapple wants `winners'
Kingstonian manager Geoff Chapple has challenged his players to show him how much they want success when they take on Yeovil at Kingsmeadow in the FA Trophy Fifth Round on Saturday.
He was dismayed by yet another inconsistent performance against Conference leaders Kettering last weekend.
"It was a reasonable first half but we were a very different side in the second half which was very disappointing - we gave away two diabolical goals.
"If the players want to keep their shirts, they will have to play better. I don't yet know which players will be here next season. It's up to them to show me what they can do and this Saturday's result will depend on how badly they want it."
Sources in the West Country say Yeovil will bring between 800 and 1,000 fans to Kingsmeadow for the FA Trophy tie.
Whichever side wins the fifth round clash will be just three games from Wembley.
Rumours
Goalkeeper Steve Farrelly is struggling to be fit to face Yeovil after suffering a badly swollen knee in last week's friendly against Polish side Widzew Lodz.
Colin Luckett will be suspended but new signings Kofi Nyamah and Delton Francis are both eligible to play. Gary Patterson, suspended for the Kettering game, will also be available for selection.
Unless the FA Trophy game is drawn, the Ks will play Carshalton Athletic in a Surrey Senior Cup semi-final at Kingsmeadow on Monday at 7.30pm.
Marc Coates, the former Yeovil and Barrow midfielder who played for the Ks against Kettering, will not be joining Kingstonian following his trial spell last week.
Geoff Chapple said: "He was no better than what we have already got. I am looking long term."
And he was quick to rubbish rumours circulating at Kingsmeadow on Saturday that central defender Mark Harris will quit the Ks at the end of this season.
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