K's Knocked Out of FA Youth Cup by Lewes
Kingstonian went out of the FA Youth Cup on a dark and stormy night at Molesey as they were beaten by a Lewes team who were able to take their chances and proceed to the Third Qualifying Round and a home tie against Hemel Hempstead Town.
Lewes took the lead in the 21st minute after a period of prolonged pressure, at last the Kingstonian defence made a mistake, half cleared the ball to Destiny Ojo, whose shot from about 10 yards flew into the net.
Kingstonian's best chance of the first half came shortly before the break when a rampaging run from Kwesi Ntim somehow took him past a couple of defenders, he had more than one chance to offload the ball to the better placed Iker Noguera Leon but he battled his way into the six yard box and prodded the ball disappointingly wide.
The second half began poorly for the K's as the Rooks took advantage of the home side being careless with possession of the ball and scored two more goals. After some pressure on the Lewes goal, in the 54th minute the Rooks counter attacked swiftly, but the K's will be disappointed at the amount of space they afforded Lewes forward Harry Margeson as he headed home from about 15 yards out.
The match was almost finished as a contest in the 63rd minute when K's were again guilty of giving away possession in a dangerous position, but much credit must go to Lewes substitute Archie McGonigle, whose shot from 20 yards out was out of the top drawer.
Kingstonian threatened to make the tie a contest again when substitute David Lopes battled past a defender to slide the ball into the net in the 77th minute, and then the same player forced the Lewes keeper into a fine save with eight minutes left. With that save, any hopes that Kingstonian may have had in forcing an unlikely penalty shoot-out had disappeared.
K's worked hard all game to try and get the victory, but they came across a stronger, more streetwise and experienced Lewes team who deserved their win; hopefully the young hoops will be able to learn from this game and get better from the experience.
